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LYRICS

My Own Prison









Torn
Peace is what they tell me
Love am I unholy
Lies are what they tell me
Despise you that control me
(chorus)
The peace is dead in my soul
I have blamed the reason for
my intentions poor
Yes I'm the one who
the only one who
Would carry on this far
Torn, I'm filthy
Born in my own misery
Stole all that you gave me
Control you claim you save me
(chorus)



Ode
Hang me watch awhile
Let me see you smile as I die
Take me as my body burns
Let me see you yearn while I cry
(chorus)
One step on your own and you walk all over me
One head in the clouds you won't let go your to proud
One light to the blind and they see
One touch on the head we believe
Adore me as I drift away let me hear you say I'm fine
You cry as my body dies all that you despised is gone away
(chorus)



My Own Prison
A court is in session A verdict is in
No appeal on the docket today, just my own sin
The walls are cold and pale the cage made of steel
Screams fill the room alone I drop and kneel
Silence now the sound my breath the only motion around
Demons cluttering around my face showing no emotion
Shackled by my sentence expecting no return
Here there is no penance my skin begins to burn
(chorus)
So I held my head up high hiding hate that burns inside which
only fuels there selfish pride
We're all held captive out from the sun
A sun that shines on only some
We the meek are all in one
I hear a thunder in the distance see a vision of a cross
I feel the pain that was given on that sad day of loss
A lion roars in the darkness only he holds the key
A light to free me from my burden and grant me life eternally
Should have been dead on a Sunday morning banging my head no time for
mourning ain't got no time
(chorus)
I cry out to God seeking only his decision
Gabriel stands and confirms
I've created my own prison



Pity for a Dime
An artificial season covered by summer rain
losing all my reason cause there's nothing left to blame
Shadows paint the sidewalk a living picture in a frame
See the sea of people all their faces look the same
(chorus)
So I sat down for a while forcing a smile
in a state of self denial is it worth while
Sell my pity for a dime, just one dime
Sell my pity for a dime, just one dime
Plain talk can be the easy way
Signs of losing my faith
(chorus)



In America
Only in America we're slaves to be free
Only in America we kill the unborn to make ends meet
Only in America sexuality is democracy
Only in America we stamp our god In God we trust
(chorus)
What is right or wrong
I don't know who to believe in
My soul sings a different song In America
Church bells ringing pass the plate around
The choir is singing as their leader falls to the ground
Please Mr prophet man tell me which way to go
I gave my last dollar, can I still come to your show
(chorus)
I am right and you are wrong
I am right and you are wrong
I am right and you are wrong
No one's right and no one's wrong In America



Illusion
The sun rises to another day
My constitution keeps changing till it sleeps away
So I lie awake and stare
My mind thinking, just wondering is anybody there
(chorus)
Should I stay or go
Should I sleep or stay awake
Am I really happy or is it all
Just an Illusion
Sitting in my room now
Hiding thoughts, just hoping one day I'll get out
I hear a voice call my name
Breaking trance so silent, so I can stay the same
(chorus)
Wait now many things left unsaid
This life remains the same but I change
I try to force myself in believing
Things are going to get better, But life goes on
(chorus)



Unforgiven
I kept up with the prophecy you spoke
I kept up with the message inside
Lost sight of the Irony of twisted faith
Lost sight of my soul and it's void
(chorus)
Think I, Think I'm unforgiven to this world
Think I, Think I'm unforgiven to this world
Think I'm Unforgiven
Took a chance at deceiving myself
To share in the consequence of lies
Childish with my reasoning and pride
Godless to the extent that I died
(chorus)
Step inside the light and see the fear of God burn inside of me
The gold was put to flame to kill to burn to mold it's purity



Sister
Caught up in the middle had no choice had no choice
Birthright forgotten so silent, no voice
(chorus)
I see you
You know who
Little girl, little girl
Now realize little girl over looked little girl
Bottled up and empty holding back
At loss your forgotten getting back get back
Expectations of another
Love given to the younger
Broken father, Broken brother
Emptiness feeds the hunger
(chorus)
change change change



What's This Life For?
Hurray for a child that makes it through
If there's any way, because the answer lies in you
Their laid to rest, before they know just what to do
Their souls are lost, because they could never find
What's this life for
I see your soul it's kind of gray
I see your heart, you look away
You see my wrist, I know your pain
I know your purpose on your plane
Don't say a last prayer, because you could never find
What's this life for
But they ain't here anymore
Don't have to settle the score
Cause we all live under the reign of one king



One
Affirmative may be justified take from one give to another
The goal is to be unified take my hand be my brother
The payment silenced the masses sanctified by oppression
Unity took a back seat sliding further in regression
(chorus)
One oh One the only way is One
I feel angry I feel helpless, want to change the world
I feel violent I feel alone, don't try and change my mind
Society blind by color why hold down one to raise another
Discrimination now on both sides seeds of hate blossom further
The world is heading for mutiny, when all we want is unity
We may rise and fall, but in the end we meet our fate together
(chorus)


Human Clay









Are You Ready?
Hey, Mr. Seeker Hold on to this advice
If you keep seeking you will find
Don't want to follow
Down roads been walked before
It's so hard to find unopened doors
Are you ready? Are you ready?
Hey, Mr. Hero Walking a thin, fine line
Under the microscope of life
Remember your roots, my friend
They're right down below
'Cause heroes come and heroes go
Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one
Count down to the change in life that's soon to come
Your life has just begun



What If
I can't find the rhyme in all my reason
I've lost sense of time and all seasons
I feel I've been beaten down
By the words of men who have no grounds
I can't sleep beneath the trees of wisdom
When your ax has cut the roots that feed them
Forked tongues in bitter mouths
Can drive a man to bleed from inside out
What if you did?
What if you lied?
What if I avenge?
What if eye for an eye?
I've seen the wicked fruit of your vine
Destroy the man who lacks a strong mind
Human pride sings a vengeful song
Inspired by the times you've been walked on
My stage is shared by many millions
Who lift their hands up high because they feel this
We are one We are strong
The more you hold us down the more we press on
What if you did?
What if you lied?
What if I avenge?
What if eye for an eye?
I know I can't hold the hate inside my mind
'Cause what consumes your thoughts controls your life
So I'll just ask a question
What if?
What if your words could be judged like a crime?



Beautiful
She wears a coat of color
Loved by some, feared by others
She's immortalized in young men's eyes
Lust she breeds in the eyes of brothers
Violent sons make bitter mothers
So close your eyes, here's your surprise
Beautiful is empty
Beautiful is free
Beautiful loves no one
Beautiful stripped me
In your mind she's your companion
Vile instincts often candid
Your regret is all that's left
She told me where I'm going
And it's far away from home
I think I'll go there on my own



Say I
The dust has finally settled on the field of human clay
Just enough light has shown through
To tell the night from the day
We are incomplete and hollow
For our maker has gone away
Who is to blame?
We'll surely melt in the rain
Say I
The stillness is so lifeless with no spirit in your soul
Like children with no vision do exactly what they're told
Being led into the desert
For your strength will surely fade
Who is to blame?
We'll surely melt in the rain
Say I
Frantic, faction, focus
The world breathes
And out forms this misconception we call man
But I don't know him
No, I don't know him
Because he lies Say I



Wrong Way
What makes you touch?
What makes you feel?
What makes you stop and smell the roses in an open field?
What makes you unclean?
Yeah, Yeah
What makes you laugh?
What makes you cry?
What makes our youth run
From the thought that we might die?
What makes you bleed?
Somebody told me the wrong way
What if I died?
What did I give?
I hope it was an answer so you might live
I hope I helped you live
I hope I helped you live
Somebody told me the wrong way



Faceless Man
I spent a day by the river
It was quiet and the wind stood still
I spent some time with nature
To remind me of all that's real
It's funny how silence speaks sometimes when you're alone
And remember that you feel
Again I stand against the Faceless Man
Now I saw a face on the water
It looked humble but willing to fight
I saw the will of a warrior
His yoke is easy and His burden is light
He looked me right in the eyes
Direct and concise to remind me
To always do what's right
Again I stand against the Faceless Man
'Cause if the face inside can't see the light
I know I'll have to walk alone
And if I walk alone to the other side
I know I might not make it home
Again I stand against the Faceless Man
Next time I see this face
I'll say I choose to live for always
So won't you come inside And never go away



Never Die
Hands on a window pane
Watching some children laugh and play
They're running in circles
With candy canes and French braids
Inspired to question
What makes us grown-ups anyway?
Let's search for the moment
When youth betrayed itself to age
So let the children play Inside your heart always
And death you will defy
'Cause your youth will never die
In searching for substance
We're clouded by struggle's haze
Remember the meaning
Of playing out in the rain
We swim in the fountain
Of youth's timeless maze
If you drink the water
Your youth will never fade
Never die I won't let go of that youthful soul
Despite body and mind my youth will never die



With Arms Wide Open
Well I just heard the news today
It seems my life is going to change
I closed my eyes, begin to pray
Then tears of joy stream down my face
With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
Well I don't know if I'm ready
To be the man I have to be
I'll take a breath, take her by my side
We stand in awe, we've created life
With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
Now everything has changed
I'll show you love
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
If I had just one wish
Only one demand
I hope he's not like me
I hope he understands
That he can take this life
And hold it by the hand
And he can greet the world
With arms wide open...



Higher
When dreaming I'm guided through another world
Time and time again
At sunrise I fight to stay asleep
'Cause I don't want to leave the comfort of this place
'Cause there's a hunger, a longing to escape
From the life I live when I'm awake
So let's go there
Let's make our escape
Come on, let's go there
Let's ask can we stay?
Can you take me higher?
To the place where blind men see
Can you take me higher?
To the place with golden streets
Although I would like our world to change
It helps me to appreciate
Those nights and those dreams
But, my friend, I'd sacrifice all those nights
If I could make the Earth and my dreams the same
The only difference is
To let love replace all our hate
So let's go there
Let's make our escape
Come on, let's go there
Let's ask can we stay?
Up high I feel like I'm alive for the very first time
Up high I'm strong enough to take these dreams
And make them mine



Wash Away Those Years
She came calling
One early morning
She showed her crown of thorns
She whispered softly
To tell a story
About how she had been wronged
As she lay lifeless
He stole her innocence
And this is how she carried on
Well I guess she closed her eyes
And just imagined everything's alright
But she could not hide her tears
'Cause they were sent to wash away those years
They were sent to wash away those years
My anger's violent
But still I'm silent
When tragedy strikes at home
I know this decadence Is shared by millions
Remember you're not alone
For we have crossed many oceans
And we labor in between
In life there are many quotients
And I hope I find the mean



Inside Us All
When I'm all alone
And no one else is there
Waiting by the phone
To remind me
I'm still here
When shadows paint the scenes
Where spotlights used to fall
And I'm left wondering
Is it really worth it all?
There's a peace inside us all
Let it be your friend
It will help you carry on In the end
There's a peace inside us all
Life can hold you down
When you're not looking up
Can't you hear the sound?
Hearts beating out loud
Although the names change
Inside we're all the same
Why can't we tear down these walls?
To show the scars we're covering
There's a peace
There's a peace inside us all
Let it be Oh, can't it be your friend?

















It's not easy to find a success story as genuine as Creed's in popular culture these days, with all the carefully scripted rises to glory and the falls that inevitably follow careers built on hype. If any band in recent years can claim to have ascended strictly on its own merits, it's Creed. This Florida-bred band went from zero to sixty, (or, more accurately, from zero to selling more than fifteen million albums) by virtue of a combination of finger-on-the-pulse songs and powerful live performances, rather than a raft of hype.

"With My Own Prison, I knew we had the talent to get a record deal and I knew we had songs good enough to get played on the radio, but I never had any expectations of reaching this many people," says Creed's dynamic frontman, Scott Stapp.

Nonetheless, the band's success has been truly phenomenal. Creed was the first band in history to have four Number One Rock Radio singles from a debut album -- a feat even more impressive in these days of love-'em-and-leave-'em, one-hit wonders. On the strength of their singles, including the crushing title track and the more pensive "What's This Life For," Creed topped countless year-end charts and was recognized as the Rock Artist of the Year at Billboard's 1998 Music Awards. Their debut album was also the #1-selling Hard Music album for 1998 on SoundScan's Hard Music chart and to date has sold more than five million copies.

Since the release of their second album, Human Clay, Creed has upped the ante yet again. "Higher," the first single from their already 10x Platinum sophomore release, broke the Active and Mainstream Rock airplay records for the most consecutive weeks at number one, holding the coveted spot for eighteen weeks. Furthermore, Creed was recognized once again as the Rock Artist of the Year at Billboard's 1999 Music Awards.

"We're the type of band that functions really well under pressure, and there was definitely a pressure to try to top ourselves this time," says Stapp. "Not so much what we sell, because we don't really care about that. We wanted to make a really great record. The band's goal has always been to make records that are solid from start to finish; records that take you through an entire range of emotions."

Those sentiments come across loud and clear during stretches of Human Clay. On "What If," Stapp's baritone turns fierce when addressing those he feels have judged him unfairly over the years -- a pitch that's matched by the searing guitar lines that Tremonti turns out. The intensity comes through in more subtle ways as well, as in the plaintive tone of the album's first single, "Higher," which finds Stapp seeking refuge from the rigors of the outside world, as his bandmates erect a majestic wall of riffs to ring his discourse.

Throughout Human Clay, the entire band is on a quest to explore different sonic territories, ranging from the Led Zeppelin-styled eastern modalities of the album's first track "Are You Ready?" to the lush balladry of "Wash Away Those Years." While Stapp grants that the band's increased resources had some impact on the structure of Human Clay - the first album was recorded for a mere $6,000 -- it's clear that Creed's evolution is far more than just a matter of dollars and cents.

For Human Clay, Creed once again turned to longtime friend and producer John Kurzweg to ensure that they captured the anthemic guitars, dramatic vocals and bold lyrics that made Creed's brawny-yet-intimate sound a radio staple for two solid years. Together with Kurzweg, the band recorded the new album in a studio they constructed in a house just outside of Tallahassee.

On Human Clay, Stapp contemplates how responsibilities, choices and actions impact people. The album's songs explore fears of growing up and letting go of youth ("Never Die") conscience ("Faceless Man") and betrayal ("Beautiful") among other topics. Creed challenges their listeners to think without preaching or pretending to have all the answers. Balancing Human Clay's hard rock sensibilities is "With Arms Wide Open," a deeply personal song that Stapp wrote when he learned he was going to become a father.

"I think my songwriting is very direct and understandable," says Stapp. "People can relate to that, so that's something I didn't want to move away from. At the same time, we're a little bit older and more mature now and we've been through a lot in the past two years, so we were looking to put things across in a way that reflected that."

In many ways, Creed has been evolving gradually since the band played its first dates together five years ago. After high school, teenage acquaintances Stapp and fellow songwriter Tremonti took different routes, but both ended up in Tallahassee, where they recruited bassist Brian Marshall and drummer Scott Phillips to form Creed. Within a few months, they had meshed their wide-ranging influences to create the band's rich musical texture.

Creed's reputation for dynamic, passionate live performances has led to consistently sold-out shows. During the past two years the band has played to more than two million fans worldwide, not including the enormous crowd who witnessed their awesome performance at Woodstock '99. Creed gave fans something special to remember the festival by when they invited Robby Krieger, guitarist for The Doors, to join them during their performance on the main stage. When Stapp introduced Krieger, the crowd of approximately 200,000 erupted in cheers and shouted along to Doors favorites "Roadhouse Blues" and "Riders On The Storm." Krieger also stayed on to play slide guitar on Creed's "What's This Life For."

"We were out on tour for a long time, and wherever we went, there were people telling me how much certain songs meant to them and how they felt so close to them," says Stapp. "That means more to me than any other kind of attention. It's important to feel as if you're doing something worthwhile, and in this band, I feel like I am."

It will only take a few listens to Human Clay to see that they are.

DISCOGRAPHY

Albums: My Own Prison -- August 1997 | Human Clay -- September 1999 | Weathered -- November 2001

Singles: "My Sacrifice" - October 2001 "My Own Prison" - August 1997 "Torn" - January 1998 "Whats This Life For" - May 1998 "One" - December 1998 "Higher" - August 1999 "What If" - January 2000 "With Arms Wide Open" - April 2000 "Are You Ready" - August 2000

Soundtracks: "Bound & Tied" (from the Dead Man On Campus soundtrack) - August 1998 "Im Eighteen" (from The Faculty soundtrack) - December 1998 "Wrong Way" (from the End of Days soundtrack) - November 1999 "Is This The End" (from Scream3 The Album) - January 2000 (served as Executive Soundtrack Producers) "Pity For A Dime" - April 2000 (from the Jailbait soundtrack)

Other: "My Own Prison" (acoustic version) - November 1998 (from the WBCN "98 Naked CD") "Roadhouse Blues" - February 2000 (from Woodstock Vol. 1 - The Red Album) "Riders On The Storm" - November 2000 (from Stoned Immaculate: The Music Of The Doors)