Return to Menu Biography Luke Gallery Luke's Listenables merchandise It's Not Wrong, It's Just Different Life Will Work Itself Out This Time I've Done It I Don't Want To Go To Parties Anymore It Hurts To Care I'm Not Adventurous I've Had My Chance Lyrics and Chords Email Luke

It's Not Wrong, It's Just Different, (Album, 2000)

It's Not Wrong It's Just Different

It's Not Wrong It's Just Different
Please Be My Girlfriend

I Like Being Cosy
Playing By The Rules

Biding My Time

I'm Intense

She's A Do-er
Same Old
Say Too Much

Simple Pleasures

Humanity was on the dazzling dawn of a momentous new millennium; the world rejoiced; and Luke decided to assist the global celebrations by making a small album of self-obsessed pop songs about his life in Canterbury.

Recorded in Luke's bedroom in 1999, and originally put out by Beautiful Jo Records the following January, this lo-fi labour of love, Luke's first officially released CD, thundered onto the music scene of 2000 to the sound of much considerable fanfare, in Luke's own head.

But wait, it's impact didn't end there. The heartfelt charms of It's Not Wrong It's Just Different were publicly noted at the time by literally seven other people! Their wise words echo through the ages. Behold.

 

Press reviews, 2000:-

 

Engagingly quirky, lo-fi songs accompanied by minimalist drums. It's all too Canterbury for words, my darlings, but is a curious little treasure that beats most sententious singer-songwriter albums into that ol' cocked hat.
Folk Roots

Eccentrically brilliant
Oxford Times

I am reminded of Jilted John or John Otway but with more talent
Folk on Tap

You can detect a music hall feel which lends the songs a unique charm. The melodies are strong and catchy, and the lyrics are observant, painfully honest and, as a result, quite funny. 'He fits into a resolute and well worn English tradition of musicians who refuse to screw up their faces and try to sound American,' said Tim Healey, Luke's record label boss. You can hear elements of John Otway, Ian Dury and Suggs from Madness in Luke's music.
Neil Lampert, Kentish Gazette

Lo-fi sound mixes well with his Kentish accent. Too oddball to be really popular, everyone should hear him. The lyrics have an enormous sense of fun...titles include 'She's a Do-er' and 'I Like Being Cosy'! The music may be quite simple, with Luke playing keyboard/ electric guitar/ bass/ wurlitzer, always accompanied by Dave the drummer, but it's catchy and fun. Go listen, now.
Steve Pearce, KRED Magazine

Likeable, and unnervingly catchy. Luke has an idiosyncratic gawkiness that's rather appealing in a Robyn Hitchcock/Jonathan Richman sort of way. His own Big Issues are but small-time preoccupations, strained through a twisted version of jaunty English musichall, but no less deeply felt for all that... There's a naively perceptive quality about Luke's writing. I'm Intense, replete with not-so-mighty (Woolworths!) Wurlitzer, could almost have come from the pen of Neil Innes.
David Kidman, Traditional Music Maker

Luke Smith, a piano-playing songwriter who, at a push to describe him, mixes Nick Drake and Ian Dury, while his dad, the sole other member of the band, plays the drums! I saw them at a festival in Oxford recently and they were amazing.
JONT @ The 12 Bar Club, London

LYRICS:-

 

It's Not Wrong It's Just Different

It's not wrong, it's just different, that's all.
It's not bad, it just breaks every rule.
Can't they see? Why must they be so cruel?
Oh, it's not wrong, it's just different, that's all.

It can't hurt if you're not scared of it.
Go with the flow and embrace it a bit.
You never know just what spot it might hit.
Oh, it's not wrong, it's just different, that's it.

All through my life; all through the years,
I say, "Hey! Look at this!"..
Everyone sneers.

"Oh, but it's not wrong, it's just different", I say,
Through the tears and frustrated dismay.
Then I watch as they all turn away,
But it's not wrong, and they'll see it one day,
At least that's what I hope for and that's what I prey.

Everybody says, "we just want to see originality -
Something unique now!"
That's what they've got to say,
But oh, how they're scared away
When I say, "I'm taking the leap now!"

It's not wrong, it's just different - it's true.
That's my excuse. That's what I'm sticking to.
And I can have faith that it's strong through and through,
'Cos it's me being me and I just do what I do.
It's not wrong; it's different.
If only they knew.

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Please Be My Girlfriend

Please be my girlfriend, and we can walk around together.
Please be my girlfriend, and we can walk around together,
And show off, and show each other show each other off.
I'd love to show you off.

Please say 'yes', and we can walk around,
And turn people's heads around.
Please say 'yes' to me,
And we can walk around, and turn their heads around,
'Cos we'd be really with it.

I know I get really nervous with a girlfriend,
And I feel so intimidated, and claustrophobic,
But I'd look good, and people would say,
"Is that your bit of stuff?"
And I could say,

"Yes, hear comes my girlfriend!
Look at her walk. Isn't she gorgeous?!
I am her boyfriend - one so lucky to have a girl at all,
let alone her."

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I Like Being Cosy

I like being cosy. Maybe it's an English streak.
Running in the sun can be quite fun but it's hardly the peak.
I like being cosy, when it comes right down to it.
I hope she understands this, 'cos I won't change a bit.

I like being cosy, even when the bright sun shines.
The blinds are down; electric lights are on half the time.
I like being cosy - in-doors rather than outside.
I hope she understands this,
'Cos it's something I won't hide.

I wanna be free to be me, in a world of my own making.
Free to be me, without putting on an act and faking.
Just me, if needs be, so there's no-one interfering,
But preferably with somebody who finds these quirks endearing.

I like being cosy, cups of tea and staying in.
Clubs and parties don't do much for me. Is that a sin?
It's hard to explain - p'rhaps you just get it or you don't.
I really hope she gets it, 'cos if not, she prob'ly won't.

I like being cosy. It's a thrill beyond compare,
Though it's a passion that's not fashionable to share.
I don't care - like it, whether it's manly or not,
And I hope she understands this,
Or at least gives it a shot,
'Cos frankly, if she's with me, that's pretty much her lot.
I'm pleased and proud to love it, and it's love that I express,
So here's to being cosy, and hooray for cosiness!

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Playing By The Rules

Playing by the rules. It's the only way I know now.
Following the guidelines; going with the flow now.
Keeping on the level. It's the way I always go now.
Where's my share? What's in it for me?

Always being good. I'm so helpless; I'm so trapped now.
Doing what I should, but soon I'm gonna snap now.
How I wish I could just throw it away and turn my back now.
Where's my share? What's in it for me? What's in it for me?
Where's my share? What's in it for me?

Just take the strain and don't complain - that's how it goes.
It's second nature after a while.
But I can't take much more.
I wanna live so much it hurts.
There's so much I could be living for.
Playing by the rules - well, I wouldn't recommend it.
What a way of living! How can I defend it?
All I know is I've tried time and time again to end it,
But it gets harder every day. Yeah, it gets harder every day.
Oh it gets harder every day. Yeah, it gets harder ever day.
Maybe I'm stuck right here, and there's no way out.
I can't see any way out at all.
Who knows what could've been?
Who knows what should've been?
I only wish I'd never started playing by the rules.

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Biding My Time

That's the way, that's the way
To win her love.
I'm biding my time. I'm biding my time.
That's the way, that's the way
To make her precious love mine.
That's the way, that's the way
To win her love.
I'm biding my time. I'm biding my time.
That's the way, that's the way to her heart.
I'm biding my time.

I won't win her over with presents. It's got to seem more like fate.
I won't win her over with the desperate approach.
The key to her love is in the wait.

Not today, not the next,
But eventually.
She'll come to me. She'll come to me.
Not today, not the next
But eventually, she'll be mine.
Not today, not the next,
But in the end,
She'll be more than a friend. She'll be more than a friend.
Not today, not the next
But in the end,
So I'm biding my time.

She won't respond to pressure, or being put on the spot.
I'm gonna have to practice self-control.
It's really gonna take a lot!

That's the way, that's the way
To win her love.
I'm biding my time. I'm biding my time.
That's the way, that's the way
To make her precious love mine.
That's the way, that's the way
To win her love.
I'm biding my time. I'm biding my time.
That's the way, that the way
To her heart -
I'm biding my time.

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I'm Intense

I just can't take things lightly,
Be it wrongly; be it rightly.
I just can't shrug things off 'til they make sense.
I know I'm not like the others.
I think a lot, and I've got hang-ups.
I'm intense.

It causes such confusion
Thinking things through to conclusion.
I know, but I just can't sit on the fence.
It may not be attractive,
But my mind's over-active,
And my heart's over passionate, hence -
I get so worked up deep down
With feelings I can't keep down.
I'm intense.

I've always sensed I'm like it.
They've always said I've got this trait -
I think about the world much more than one man should.
And now, there's just no doubt -
I know I am; I'm sure I am -
I'm too intense for my own good.
I'm too intense for my own good.

So I offend them all quite clearly,
And the sad truth is, I've really
Just got one small thing to say in my defence.
I cannot over-stress it.
I bet that you can guess it.
I'm intense.

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She's A Do-er

She's a do-er. I can see now.
Not just a thinker. Not like me now.
She's a do-er. She shows it every day.
Born to live now - not just to hide away.

I've thought for long enough.
She'll make me do my stuff.
She'll be just right for me.
She's so alive and free.
She's a do-er; not just a thinker.
What a great way to be.

She's a do-er. Doesn't fake it.
If there's a chance there, she will take it.
She's a do-er. She's for real.
Gets it done like it's no big deal.

When words don't mean a thing,
She brings the action in.
I love the game she plays.
She's gonna change my ways.
She's a do-er; not just a thinker,
And that's the way she stays.

She goes after what she wants.
She doesn't just sit and think now.
She embraces life with open arms.
I've wasted so much time,
But I'm on the brink now.
I'm gonna change! - I'm gonna live!
I've fallen for her charms!

She's a do-er . Can't conceal it.
I can sense it. I can feel it.
She's a do-er. It just can't help but show.
She's a do-er. That's why I love her so.
She's a do-er; not just a thinker,
And I'm not letting her go.

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Same Old

Same old, same old. Same old town.
Same old job, same old stress, same old strife.
No change. No fun.
Stuck in the same old life.

Same old, same old. Same old pub.
Same old social life, same old girls.
No change. No fun.
Stuck in the same old world.

I wake up every day and it's the same.
Life for me has lost its spark.
Gone are the days when I dreamt of being somebody;
Of really making my mark.
I wake up every day in the same old house;
Drive to work in the same old car.
This feeling started so very small
But then it started growing,
And showed no signs of going,
And now it's gone too far.

Same old, same old. That's my life.
This feeling is so hard to ignore.
I need change. I need fun.
That's what I was put here for.

I wake up every day and it's the same.
Life for me has lost it's spark.
Gone are the days when I dreamt of being somebody;
Of really making my mark
I wake up every day in the same old house;
Drive to work in the same old car.
This feeling started so very small,
But then it started growing,
And showed no signs of going,
And now it's gone too far.

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Say To Much

If there's a gap in any chat,
I'll say too much, I know it!
I have a thought; it just comes out.
Oh, why can't I for-go it?

Oh, when will I learn the silent touch?
When will I learn not to say too much?

The tension's there. It's in the air,
Oh, how can they just leave it?
No one speaks; the tension mounts.
So I try to relieve it.

Oh, when will I learn the silent touch?
When will I learn not to say too much?

And when it's done, it doesn't help
If I apologise.
That only serves to magnify
The mistake in their eyes.

Oh, when will I learn the silent touch?
When will I learn not to say too much?

They never expect to have to fill.
Why should I? Why should I?
My mouth just shoots into over-kill
Before I know it. I always blow it.
Don't know why. Don't know why!

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Simple Pleasures

Simple Pleasures are such a thrill.
I love 'em. I always will.
For me, they'll do just fine.
Simple Pleasures are the best.
Nothing more; nothing less.
Simple pleasures stand the test of time,
And I'm all for simple pleasures.

C to F to G to C,
E to A to B to E,
On any instrument - take your pick.
Just a smile; just a look;
Something you can't read in a book;
No catch; no clever trick;
Just a kick - that's a simple pleasure.

Simple pleasures are for me.
They cost a lot less money.
In fact, they're mostly free.
Simple pleasures are what it's about,
And I never wanna do without
Simple pleasures constantly.

You might forget for a while,
Or think they've gone out of style,
But they're what you come running back to.
They don't really date through the trends and fads.
They've still got what they always had,
And they still feel fresh and new.
They'll comfort you -
Simple Pleasures.

Modern technology's thrilling,
But something about it feels chilling.
There's something contrived about it all.
But a cosy pub on a rainy day,
Or the thrill of going out or being glad to stay -
Well, that's not false at all.
That's just real.
That's the feel of simple pleasures.

Simple pleasures are always there,
Just like a breath of fresh air,
When the modern world leaves you cold.
Whatever happens while I'm alive,
Some things should always survive.
They can't be bought and they can't be sold.
They'll always hold. They'll never grow old.
Simple pleasures. Simple pleasures.

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© 2016 Luke Smith