Lyrics

[Verse 1: Exene Cervenka] Memories are gettin' late Not erased like tape Not replaced with faith Drivin' state to altered state Holdin' foldin ' maps On another payphone break A big black X on a white marquee A naked Christmas tree on fire In a Cherokee alley Silent movie genuflecting dream Hangin' off bumpers and scrapin' off tar and leather L.A. Riverbed Drag strip on acid And somethin' about a basement [Chorus: Exene Cervenka and John Doe] Stay awake and don't get taken We knew the gutter Also the future Stay awake and don't get taken [Verse 2: Exene Cervenka] Hollywood letters fallin' down Errol Flynn's abandoned mansion Scary Hillside guy Angel dust low-ridin' by We swam into the Pacific and Windward intersection Vietnam vet I met and cannot forget Bikers on the 101 and 77 Sunset Strip Old cars and new scars 78's on cassette tape Afterhours blues escape AM radio dedications Madison, Lincoln, any old city A tiny little X on a white marquee [Chorus: Exene Cervenka and John Doe] Stay awake and don't get taken We knew the gutter Also the future Stay awake and don't get taken [Bridge: John Doe] You know what it meant to feel To kneel and genuflect at the altar of the light The green pool table at the Playboy bar Long shot gone like those old cars towing kids from their bumpers in front of Club 88 Silent now and rusted Couldn't get enough of cranking Merry-go-rounds Like the blue sparks on the bumper cars on the Santa Monica pier You reflect the light You are not easily defeated [Chorus: Exene Cervenka and John Doe] Stay awake and don't get taken We knew the gutter Also the future Stay awake and don't get taken We knew the gutter Also the future Stay awake and don't get taken We knew the gutter Also the future Stay awake and don't get taken We knew the gutter Also the future