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Life Will Work Itself Out, (Album, 2002)

I Love Not Following Trends
Saturday Job
Luke's National Anthem

It's My Art
What's He Got I Haven't?
I Fear Change
Plod On
She Brings Out The Best In Me

It's Work
Life Will Work Itself Out

Having arguably written the book on parochial problem-based pop with his debut album, Luke paused two years later and realised that hardly anyone had actually read that book, so it was time to wave his arms round in the air and beg for attention once more.

Returning to his almost antique 4-track tape recorder, Luke brewed up ten more offerings of trend-defying tenderness, consistently flanked again by his treasured comrade Dave The Drummer, and occasionally now also by newish arrival Jimmy ‘The Horn’ Ross.

Luke’s message to the world in ’02 was clear…

“Resistance is futile; I never take the hint”.

 

Review from BACKLASH MAGAZINE 2002

 

Just because you can doesn't mean you should. Just because a compact disc has the capacity to hold 70 plus minutes of music doesn't mean albums should be that long. Quantity, as so often pointed out, is not the same as quality, and the former does not necessarily (or usually) mean the latter. Luckily, this is something that Luke Smith knows, and which is evident in his music. Ten tracks long and just over 28 minutes short, Life Will Work Itself Out, Smith's second album is a wonderfully honest collection of songs which harks back to the days when it was the music that mattered, not the image or the sales figures.

Dominated by Smith’s beautiful piano playing (though with the occasional guitar and organ thrown in) and his emotive and quintessentially English vocals, Life Will Work Itself Out is an album that delivers humour and pathos in just the right amounts – Smith’s lyrics are both clever and understated, witty and poignant, personal and universal. As such, all the songs are genuine and moving, small slices of life that anyone who has ever suffered the pains (and pleasures) of growing up and falling in love can relate to all too well. Take, for example, the lyrics of I Fear Change: “When they say ‘Luke, you’re moving on, you’re growing up, those days are gone’, they think it thrills me, but it kills me. I fear change.” Not only is this one of the album’s best tracks, it is also the shortest, clocking in at an epic 1 minute 58 seconds. But then, it’s quality – not quantity that counts, remember?

It is hard to define the genre and style of Luke’s music – there are elements of jazz, blues, folk and rock there, all melded together to create a gentle, soothing and passionate sound. It is, admittedly, more an album of introspection and contemplation than it is one to rock out to, but what the tunes lack in volume and rockiness they make up for in melody and catchiness. This album is short, sweet and quite, quite wonderful. Quality.

LYRICS:-


I Love Not Following Trends

I can't be tempted and I shan't be swayed.
Wherever they've gone, right here I've stayed.
I've lost count of all the stands I've made.
I love not following trends.

I'm not afraid to shock them like I do.
They don't half need a shock or two.
To my taste and mine alone I'm true.
I love not following trends.

A fashion comes in; a fashion goes out.
Who knows where it begins and where it ends?
For every one that gets it,
There's a dozen left in doubt.
That's a game I won't play.
Me I keep well away,
From what the style of the day recommends.
It's wrong just to hide in the throng, and besides….
I love not following trends.

I hear them sneer, I hear them jeer but it's great.
'Cos their world moves at such a rate
That in a year they'll all be out of date.
So I'm telling you now, my friends….
I don't care what's hot, and I don't care what's not.
I love not following trends.

Just look at the money, and look at the time
Every one desperately spends
Chasing after fads, and the latest design.
Oh, take it from me -
It's great breaking free;
Sitting back to see who it offends.
I'm out of the loop;
I'm shunned by the group
'Cos I love not following trends.

It doesn't make them that content I'm sure -
Trying to keep track, and trying to keep score.
What do they think they're being trendy for?
What message do they think it sends?
What ever they do, one thing remains true.
I love not following trends.
I love not following trends

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SATURDAY JOB

Saturday Job, oh Saturday Job - You've taken so much from me
You're such a rude awakening. Oh how I long to be free!
Saturday Job, oh Saturday Job - You'll make me old before my time.
I just wanna be like the others now. This pressure is such a crime.

Saturday Job, oh Saturday Job - Just leave me alone.
I don't really wanna grow up this much. I just wanna go home.
Saturday Job, oh Saturday Job - You've got such a grip on me.
I know you've got some good points too but the pressure is all I see.

You've taken away my Friday Night,
And with it, some of my youth,
All you've left me with is money now,

And money on it's own is not much use.

You first came into my life as a friend,
But now I'm beginning to see,
My life will never be the same again.
I'm moving on! It feels so wrong! You've got your hooks in me!

Saturday Job, oh Saturday Job - You're the real world I've heard about.
But I've tried the real world now and it's something I can do without.

Saturday Job, oh Saturday Job - What more can I say?
Everything you stand for smothers me,
And I don't know how to deal with you now,
Why can't you just go away?

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LUKE'S NATIONAL ANTHEM

England, what can I say?
You're part of me in such a big way.
Here's where I'll stay, where the sky's grey.
In the wind and rain. It's a bit mundane,
but it's my domain,
in a strange way, I can't explain.
I'll never leave. I'm caught in the clutch,
Of this old, tiny island where nothing changes much.

England, it's so disheartening how when I say I love you, they think I'm right wing.
Why must national pride have an ugly side?
You alone are my true home,
so is it wrong for me now to sing this song?

You're not perfect, but when all's said and done,
I love you for your charms,
more than for the wars you've won.

England, my world is small.
It begins and ends with you -
there's nowhere else at all.
It's not hot here, but I know what's what here.In foreign climbs, there's a lot to see,
Oh, but I don't mind,
'cos what they've got - it's not for me.

I can't help adoring you, dear old motherland.
People who you're boring to, I just don't understand!

In England we know how to make tea, don't we?
We don't share feelings,
We hate shooting from the hip,
And we deal with frustration and depression here in England,
By keeping a stiff upper-lip.

England, You gave me my traits.
It shows in how, with girls I love,
I end up being mates.

You're deep in my soul, and it takes its toll,

But still, inside, I'm filled with pride,
A and a kind of awe for this country and what it stands for.

You're unshakeable. You're part of who I am.

It's quite unmistakable that I'm an English man.

England, in summing up now,
I feel I've got to mention the monarchy somehow.
Between me and you - Just what is it they do?
What's the queen there for?
She's not what I care for.
It's you I revere -
Not a palace, and a posh old dear.

You're where I belong to, and you belong to me.
Everybody's welcome though (I hope we all agree)
God bless this place, which I embrace,
From sea to murky sea.

England, my England - You're where I've got to be.

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It's My Art

It's my art, and I like it.
It's my art, and I like.
It's my art, and I like it - It's all I've got.

Let them smirk. Let them mock it,
Let them scoff. Let them knock it,
'Cos it's my art, and I like it
- It's all I've got.

I'm not much good at anything else.
It's mine and I do it for myself.
It's always nice to make money,
But there's much more to it than wealth.

When I'm down; when I feel blue,
It's my art that I turn to.
It's one thing that I can do
- It's all I've got.

Art's a gift - You don't choose it,
But you just can't bear to lose it.
Pain can work, if you use it -
Let it out! - Let it hit the spot!
- It's my art and it's all I've got!

It's my art, and I like it.
It's my art, and I like it.
It's my art, and I like it - It's all I've got.

Art can be entertaining.
You can use it to complain in.
But I'm not given to explaining….
Even if I could, I'd rather not.
I just do it, and it helps such a lot.
It's my art. It's my art.
It's my art, and it's all I've got.

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What's He Got I Haven't?

I've tried and I've tried, but I just can't decide -
What's he got I haven't?
I've racked all my brains, but the question remains,
And it's driving me mad.

I've pondered and thought, and I've stared 'til I'm caught -
What's he got I haven't?
After all that I've done, how come he's still the one?
What makes him so hot? What's he got that I've not?

Well I don't wanna be all jealous. I don't wanna get all bitter.
I'll just hang in there, 'cos me, I'm not a quitter.
It feels so right it can't be wrong.
I've given up now trying to fight - it's far too strong.

I see her with him, and I feel I can't win.
What's he got I haven't?
I wanna prize them apart, 'cos it's just breaking my heart,
And it's driving me mad.

They say I'll be fine, and I'll move on in time,
But it's so hard to do it.
There's so much to me I just wish she could see.
If only she knew it. If only she knew it. If only she knew it.

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I Fear Change

Whatever it is, at least I know.
Whatever it was, I long for it so.
Whatever it could be, keep it from me.
I fear change.

I'll deal with now; I love the past,
But the future's coming fast.
It feels so wrong! It feels so strange!
I fear change.

I've just got something I'm used to.
I've found what I am - just let me be it!
They say, "the future's out there to be seen!"
But I say, "it depends how you see it!"

When they say, "Luke - you're moving on!"
"You're growing up! Those days are gone!"
They think it thrills me, but it kills me.
I fear change.

She seems a nice girl, this one I've found,
But what if she turns my world around?
And what if she likes to re-arrange?
I fear change.

I can't adjust. At least I won't.
Some things I trust; some things I don't.
And there's so much I dare not touch.
So much that's best left out of range.
I don't wanna grow! I don't wanna know!
I fear change!

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Plod On

Plod on. Plod On. Whatever life does, I'll plod on.
Whatever the weather; whatever's in my way;
Whatever life does, I'll plod on every day.

My life is there to live and I'm living it well.
I can succeed in my own special way.
Whatever life does, I'll plod on every day.
Success doesn't have to be instant,
Just as long as it comes in the end,
I'm plodding, slowly but surely.
No problem is too big, and there's no rule I can't bend.

Plod on. Plod on. That's the way to go.
If it feels good - do it! Never mind the trend.
There's nothing to it. It's a life I recommend - Plod on!

BRIDGE - Repeat (same as first bridge)
Plod on. Plod on. Whatever life does I'll plod on.
Whatever the weather; whatever's in my way….
Whatever life does, I'll plod on.
Whatever life does, I'll plod on.
Whatever life does, I'll plod on.

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She Brings Out The Best In Me

I'll never know just how she does it. It really is a mystery.
All I can say is how I love it. 'Cos she brings out the best in me.

She looks at life and picks out the good things, and casts aside the misery.
When I'm with her I count my blessings,
'Cos suddenly when she's around they're plain to see

She's got that certain something about her. It's such a special quality.
I revel in it, more every day. I'm part of her life, so I'm okay.
That girl brings out the best in me now. What more is there to say?

Well the world's a cynical place and it gets hard to be enthusiastic.
When people say nice things it usually sounds to me like they're being sarcastic.
In a world like this how come she exists? - It's hard to say.
What a girl! What a dream she should come my way.

I need her all the time right here now. I want her with me constantly.
She's full of love and so sincere now,
And all the pain's gone, now she's come along,
And something tells me somehow, it's gonna be alright now,
'Cos she brings out the best in me.

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It's Work

It's work - I don't enjoy it but it pays the bills.
It's work - I grin and bear it and I always will.
It's work - And I must never let it get to me.
It's just work now. It can't hurt now.
'Cos whatever I do by day, by night I can just be free.

It's work - My life begins when the clock strikes five.
It's work - And I need it to survive.
It's work - I mustn't take it too seriously.
It's just work now. It can't hurt now,
'Cos I can shut it right out of my mind the moment I walk down the street.

Every day I work hard
And the last thing I need
Is to take this job home with me.
Every single week, I work as hard as I can.
And all I wanna do when I get home is to be a free man.

It's work - And I must never let it cause me strife.
It's work - It's only one part of my life.
It's work - It doesn't last all day and all night.
It's just work now. It can't hurt now.
Yeah, whatever happens in my job,
I
it's just work, and I'm alright.

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Life Will Work Itself Out

I have tried to make it happen so many times.
I've pushed my way through life, and hey, that isn't a crime.
But now I find that I am just content to get by.
Life will work itself out for me.

Life is so frustrating when you try to control it.
It only goes the other way if you try to mould it.
It goes it's own way every time.
Of that there's no doubt.
Life will work itself out.

Life! - Life will work itself out for me.
Life! - Life will work itself out.
Life! - Life will work itself out for me.
So I'm not making it happen.
It knows what to do both with me and with you if we let it

My whole world it suffered from this determination,
to build a life just based on lies and exaggeration.
Eventually I realised, it was plain to see -
Life will work itself out for me.

Now I live my life not knowing what's coming next.
No wiser than before, but what did I expect?
It goes it's own way every time.
Of that there's no doubt.
Life will work itself out.

(Repeat chorus)

I spent my time chasing rainbows.
Thought I knew what life was about.
But I can't determine how life goes.
Life…life will work itself out!

(Repeat chorus)

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© 2016 Luke Smith