Oh, on the periphery Oh, on the periphery

But never is a promise and I'll never need a lie

Besides, he can take it up with his brethren or with his bride Just not with me 'Cause I don't appreciate

It ended bad, but I love what we started They said "stop" — but we went on whole-hearted It ended bad, but I love what we started

It is my fault, you see You never learned that much from me

You let me down I don't even like you anymore at all Oh, on the periphery

So what would an angel say The devil wants to know What I need is a good defense 'Cause I'm feelin' like a criminal

I was staring at the sky, just looking for a star To pray on or wish on or something like that I was having a sweet fix of a daydream of a boy Whose reality I knew was hopeless to be had

I have trouble now even remembering, so

Fast as you can, leave me Let this thing run its route

I still can't see for the fact That when it's clean it's so clear

I still only travel by foot, and by foot it's a slow climb But I'm good at being uncomfortable so I can't stop changing all the time I notice that my opponent is always on the go And won't go slow, so's not to focus, and I notice

I know tomorrow brings the consequence at hand But I keep livin' this day like the next will never come

But no matter what I try You'll beat me with your bitter lies So call me crazy — hold me down Make me cry — get off now, baby

No more maladies I'm so tired of cryin'

What am I gonna do

You made me a shadowboxer, baby I wanna be ready for what you do

But I like watching you live

Try to live in a lovelier light This is not about love 'Cause I am not in love In fact I can't stop falling out

And I need to be redeemed to the one I've sinned against Because he's all I ever knew of love Heaven help me for the way I am Save me from these evil deeds before I get them done

I'll never glow the way that you glow Your presence dominates the judgments made on you But as the scenery grows I see in different lights The shades and shadows undulate in my perception

I tried to dance, but lost my nerve I cramped up in the learning curve

So I'll be sure to stay wary of you, love To save the pain of Once my flame and twice my burn And so I'm a shadowboxer, baby

I want your warm but it will only make me colder when it's over So I can't tonight, baby

I looked like a neon zebra, shaking rain off her stripes And the rivulets had you riveted to the places that I wanted you to Kiss me when we find some time alone

So I had to break the window It just had to be Better that I break the window

I'm gonna get him back I am, I'm gonna get him back I really am, I'm gonna get him back

You fondle my trigger, then you blame my gun And when I think of it, my fingers turn to fists

Oh, after all the folderol And hauling over coals stops What will I do? Can't take a good day without a bad one

That when it's clean it's so clear I can't tell what I'm looking through So I had to break the window It just had to be, it was in my way

I’m sitting singing again, singing again, singing again Sing, sing, sing again

At best they buy you time Until you next step out of line Please please please No more remedies

Be kind to me, or treat me mean I'll make the most of it, I'm an extraordinary machine

Days like this, I don't know what to do with myself All day and all night I wander the halls along the walls and under my breath I say to myself I need fuel to take flight

He knew he was wrong but he knew it too late But I'm not being fair

Better that I break a window Than him or her or me I was never focused on just one thing My eyes got fixed when my mind got soul

You made me a shadowboxer, baby

And as soon as I settle, I bet I'll be able to move on How can I fight, when we're on the same side? How can I fight beside you? So keep on calling me names, keep on, keep on

Fast as you can I may be soft in your palm But I'll soon grow hungry for a fight And I will not let you win

I can't help it, the road just rolls out behind me Be kind to me, or treat me mean I'll make the most of it, I'm an extraordinary machine If there was a better way to go, then it would find me

What should I do? Oh, after all the folderol And hauling over coals stops What will I do?

Ooh, what I need is a good defense 'Cause I'm feelin' like a criminal

You, you, you, you I root for you, I love you You, you, you

For you to find you love me, and tell me so

I'll never glow the way that you glow

And you looked as sincere as a dog Just as sincere as a dog does When it's the food on your lips with which it's in love I bet you could never tell

You moved like honey in my dream last night Yeah, some old fires were burning You came near to me and you endeared to me But you couldn't quite discern me

Hey, keep turning that chin And you will see my face is fixed on the one I'm gonna get back I'm gonna get him back I am, I'm gonna get him back

Darling, just start the chase, I'll let you win But you must make the endeavor

You moved like honey in my dream last night