[Bonzo Dog]

Taking Off - Neil Innes

With thanks to Bob Kruse.

All (or almost all) of Neil's lyrics are on the Neil Innes - Words of Innespiration Web site.
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The transcriptions on this site have been contributed by fans for fans as a labour of love and as a tribute to the creating artists. The copyrights of the relevant artists, records companies and other rights holders are acknowledged. This is a non-commercial site. Some of the many other lyrics collections
Discography entry.

  1. Crystal Balls
    I got my hand up the skirt of Mother Nature
    I got my foot in the door of liberty
    I got my head stuck in the railings of reason
    Thank God for the Banjo on my knee.

    Crystal balls,
    To Fortune-Tellers
    Reveal a swarm of what-will-be's
    All in all
    Like clocks and watches
    We got time on our hands and destinies

    I've heard the squeal of tyres around a corner
    I've broken down and I've been towed
    I've seen everything I ever hoped and dreamed for
    Squashed like a hedgehog in the road

    Crystal balls etc.

    Just give me wide open spaces and clean living
    As long as I've a banjo to pluck
    I'll sing to the cactus and coyotes
    Hipperty-Hi, Hipperty-Ho, Que Sera.

    Crystal Balls etc.

  2. Catch Phrase
    I wanna catch-phrase
    I wanna start a craze
    I wanna gimmick
    I wanna hit
    I'm just a poor boy
    With a song and a smile
    And not just another
    Shallow entertainer
    I'm a clean-cut
    Boy-next-door
    A-tellin'what I know is true
    I wanna catch-phrase
    I wanna start a craze
    I wanna make love to you.

    Burn, Baby, burn,
    Shake, Baby, shake,
    One foot on the gas
    And one foot on the brake
    An eye for an eye
    And a tooth for a tooth
    A poet for a lie
    And a clown for the truth.

    I wanna catch-phrase
    I wanna start a craze
    I wanna make love to you.

  3. God Is Love
    I stepped into a bar
    for a drink or two
    I was feeling lonely,
    and as the feeling grew,
    I ordered same again,
    'til I heard Nature call,
    and through a door marked 'Men'
    I found written on the wall;
    'God is Love.'
    Next to a naked lady,
    And some parts of a man was written,
    'God is Love'.

    The message seemed so simple
    I stared in disbelief,
    Could it be some wisdom
    had come to my relief?
    Was the Son of God, a man among men?
    Or which of the apostles
    had owned a ball point pen?
    God is Love,
    God is Love,
    Like the joke that says the future of mankind is in your hand,
    'God is Love.'

    Love is never easy.
    Love is hard to find.
    And just as hard to keep
    As an open mind.
    So somehow I felt sorry
    For that unknown 'Patron Saint'
    Whose words would soon be martyred
    By a fresh coat of paint;
    'God is Love,'
    'God is Love'
    In a temple or a toilet,
    in a bed or in a bar,
    'God is Love.'

  4. Randy Raquel
    No one can see me or hear me
    I'm all alone in my room
    No one can touch me or hurt me
    As I prepare my balloon
    Naked and bare
    Realistic hair
    Taking great care
    I breathe in the air;

    Randy Raquel
    I think you're swell
    My sweet inflatable you
    You never say no
    Or come and go
    You're always faithful and true
    Fantastic dream
    Elastic and cream
    Plastic and steam
    Spastic supreme
    Randy Raquel

  5. Shangri-La
    Did you ever get the feeling
    That the truth is less revealing
    Than a downright lie?
    And did you think your head was hip
    To certain things it's not equipped
    To qualify?

    All I day long the sky is blue
    And everyone agrees with you
    In Shangri-La
    Every day's a perfect day
    And you can go your own sweet way
    In Shangri-La

    In Shangri-La, in Shangri-La,
    You can be whoever you are
    In Shangri-La.

    Investment with a good return
    Provides the means through which we earn
    Our daily bread
    Insisting on an equal cut
    Some people even bust a gut
    To stay ahead.

    All day long the sky is blue
    And no one has a lot to do
    In Shangri-La.

    It's a strange world we live in
    And surely we're forgiven
    If we don't know where to turn
    With Paradise for hire
    On the back streets of desire
    We all live and learn.

    All day long the sky is blue
    And everyone's in love with
    In Shangri-La
    Lovers dance and children sing
    And everybody does their thing
    In Shangri-La.

    In Shangri-La, in Shangri-La,
    You can be whoever you are
    In Shangri-La.

  6. Drama On A Saturday Night
    Bella was a beauty Queen
    One of a kind
    She couldn't get ambitionoff her mind
    She entered every contest
    From Redcar to Penzance
    She entered anywhere she stood a chance
    Then one day, way down yonder
    In Shanklin, Isle of Wight,
    She became a big name overnight
    She was placed above the rest
    The winners sash across her breast
    She wept with joy, she kissed the crown
    She was the toast of her home town;

    Drama on a Saturday night
    A story of human emotion
    Love is as shallow as people
    And as deep as the ocean

    She posed for Sunday papers
    Wearing nothing but a smile
    She took'em off while putting on the style
    She soon became the sweetheart
    Of a playboy millionaire
    Who bought her clothes and took her everywhere
    They were married in Las Vegas
    She said solemnly 'I do'
    Amidst T.V. cameras and Yankee Ballyhoo
    Bella frequented the night club scene
    As befits an ex-beauty Queen
    She took to drink while her playboy played
    And so it was their love decayed

    Drama on a Saturday night etc

    Bella got a gun
    Bella shot him dead
    He died instantly the Coroner said
    And so behind dark glasses
    Bella hid her eyes
    It's unsightly when a woman cries
    Just who was to blame
    The Press would soon find out
    But as it was, the Jury had no doubt
    The verdict was guilty
    The Judge had no choice
    He said 'You get life'
    In a serious voice
    But Bella just laughed
    And tearfully said,
    'Oh what a joke, I've always been dead!'

    Drama on a Saturday night etc.

  7. Dreams Shine Through
    An old man lay dying beneath cold city skies
    An ominous look in his derelict eyes
    The moment of death, for him had no sting
    His soul had the power to grant him one thing
    So he said:
    'Let my dreams shine through,
    Let my dreams shine through.

    Passing nearby,was a shiny black car
    In the front a chauffeur, in the back a cigar
    That lit up the face of a middle-aged man
    Who bought and sold stock like nobody can,
    And he said:
    'Let my dreams shine through,
    Let my dreams shine through'.

    Close by, two young lovers were getting it on
    And of all the positions they knew every one
    And after they'd tried every trick in the book
    He lay on the bed with a faraway look,
    Thinking:
    'Let my dreams shine through,
    Let my dreams shine through'.

    Not far away was another big car
    This time, in the back, was a rock and roll star
    And that night at the concert the fans all went wild
    As he strummed his guitar and sang through his smile
    Singing:
    'Let my dreams shine through,
    Let my dreams shine through'.

    Well, the fans went home happy, and so did the Star
    Likewise the young lovers, and the man in the car
    But as the old man turned over and died
    For the moment all the others, felt cold
    And empty, inside.

  8. Busy Day
    Feeling cosy, safe as houses,
    Sitting in her easy chair
    Watching T.V., sipping whisky,
    In her see-through underwear;
    She lights a cigarette
    The room is much too hot
    She opens up the window
    Showing all she's got:

    Feeling restless, and upset,
    She slides a hand between her thighs
    She doesn't see him
    She doesn't hear him
    He takes her by surprise;
    He throws himself upon her
    Pins her to the floor
    She moans in sudden pleasure
    'Give me more, give me more'.

    Headlights in the driveway
    Footsteps down the hall
    'Is anybody home?'
    She hears her husband call
    He finds her in the kitchen
    With his dinner on a tray
    And as she takes his coat and hat
    He says he's had a busy day.

  9. Three Piece Suite
    Two armchairs and a sofa
    Make our world complete
    We just bought a brand new
    Three piece suite
    It matches the curtains
    And the Walnut veneer
    The hire purchase
    Will finish in a year, or two;

    Eating Chinese Pizza
    And staring into space
    We are so very lucky
    To have a nice place
    Decent next-door neighbours
    With similar values
    Throwing weekend parties
    With lots and lots of booze.

  10. La Vie En Rose
    Such a cold, cold morning
    The wind against my face
    No special feeling,
    Just a sleepless night to taste
    Never had so many memories to waste
    Oh Oh, La Vie En Rose.

    Such a girl can make you
    And then you wonder why,
    When in the morning
    You find a way to say goodbye
    But did it have to take all night
    To kiss away each lie?
    Oh Oh, La Vie En Rose.

    When love is new
    The stars are in your eyes
    When love is new
    The world is in disguise
    When love is new
    You take any chance,
    But love is friendship,
    Much more than romance.

    Such a cold, cold morning
    The wind against my face
    No special feeling
    Just a sleepless night to taste
    Never had so many memories to waste
    Oh Oh, La Vie En Rose.


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