DISCOGRAPHY - "TIERS" - LYRICS

THE GAME STAYS THE SAME

Stare from their cars, think I’m from Mars
Tryin’ to walk in L.A.
Playing the bars, gazing at stars
Tryin’ to walk in L.A.
Oh no, oh no, oh no
Oh no, oh no, oh no

You keep up appearances nightly,
Don’t you know that illusion can lead to mystique
Lately been traveling lightly,
And it shows as you try to sneak in a peek

Now the rules have changed
But the game stays the same

It’s true everything is perception
Don’t you know that they weed the strong from the weak
And you think that you’ll be the exception
There you go, the one they’ll let in this week

Now the rules have changed
But the game stays the same

Cars flyin’ by, can’t see the sky
Tryin’ to walk in L.A.
John Phillips’ song got it all wrong
Tryin’ to walk in L.A.
Oh no, oh no, oh no
Oh no, oh no, oh no

Dear NLG,

Just wanted to thank you for the nice birthday gift. I feel like the new King of Hollywood in my blue and white striped pajamas, though I have to say, as you can see in the enclosed photo, they’re a little reminiscent of the garb handed out at Auschwitz. But I do appreciate your thinking of me.

How are you doing? I hope everything is going well back East. Life here is OK. I’m living in a small apartment with Velinsky and Ron Johnson, who’s a fantastic sax player. We have a beautiful view of the Hollywood sign from our window. Only problem is, you can’t see it through the smog. Maybe it’s just like this in August. My first day here was really weird. I went for a walk by myself. I swear I felt like I was on another planet. It was so hot and humid and smoggy I could barely breathe and then I suddenly realized I was the only person walking around. All these people looked at me from inside their air conditioned cars like I was some kind of insane alien.

I’m starting to get a few gigs here and there at some of the clubs. I feel like I have gone from being a white shark to a tiny minnow, to paraphrase the fish and the pond metaphor, but I’m optimistic that things are bound to get better.

Anyway, thanks again. Give my best to the family and if you ever decide to come out here to the promised land, just remember to pack your space suit.

Wish you well,
RXH

P.S. Guess what happened? I met Gene Clark outside the Troubadour! Well, I didn’t exactly meet him, but I was standing right next to him. I wanted to tell him how much his music meant to me, but I lost my nerve. Oh well, I’m sure I’ll see him again. Take care of yourself.