Hear-Now

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After the nightmarish experience of recording “Enough Is Enough,” I resolved to return to my old ways, regardless of what anybody else might think. I re-camped at Power Station with a young hotshot engineer named Jason Corsaro, who’d been getting some great sounds with bands like “Power Station” (name no coincidence). I also decided to shake up the usual band lineup on certain songs to see what might come out of it (a concept I revisited on “Tell The Truth” some years later).

We experimented with a lot of different ideas, including some extended jams and more elaborate pieces. After a few months work, the results were somewhat inconsistent. I started mixing with Jason, but found myself with a whole bunch of tracks that didn’t seem to be quite coming together the way I’d envisioned. After bringing in mix-specialist Tom Lord Alge to dress things up a bit, I reluctantly concluded that we weren’t there just yet.

Round about this time, I was introduced to New York producer Godfrey Diamond. Godfrey had quite a varied rap sheet, having worked with acts as disparate as Kool And The Gang, Lou Reed, and Aerosmith. He showed a real enthusiasm for the project, and this motivated me to “get back on the horse,” so to speak. We pulled together the best of what I’d done with Jason, and I wrote a few new songs to round out the project. We also decided to return to the original band lineup. The lead track came from my first lunch-meeting with Godfrey, where he thrust himself across the table and blurted out that listening to my music made him want to “rock out and punch somebody.” No way that hook was gonna get by me.

I also found myself re-connecting with Desmond Child, with whom I’d worked so well on “Tale Of The Tape” (“You Should Be High Love”). Two more good songs there. And an old acquaintance from my boyhood days of scuffling on the streets of NYC turned up with “Mine Tonite,” which was on its way to Journey…before I apprehended it. All of these eleventh-hour, unintended collaborations! The belated result (the project actually took longer than the “Enough…” debacle) was “Hear & Now.” While another tough slog, I was much happier with this effort. I was indeed,”back on the horse.” The only caveat, was, that after so many months in the studio, with so many personnel changes…the songs themselves were maybe not as cohesive as a group, compared to previous efforts…where I would commit myself to an intense burst of creative energy and spit out a cluster of songs that had a sense of interdependency.

But maybe I’m being too picky.

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Lyrics

Rock Out/Punch Somebody
Billy Squier, © 1989 by Songs Of The Knight (BMI)

Say hey… everybody… rock out
Wind me up – I might punch somebody
Rock… rock out
Switch me off – I might hurt someone
Rock… rock out
Turn me on – I wanna love somebody
Rock… rock out
Lead me on – I’ll break into your life

You come ’round, waltzin’ into my life
Think that I’m your fool and I need ya
Fill my head with your stolen advice
Now ya don’t play cool – how I read ya
Now you’re tumblin’ baby – through a violent scene
Can ya feel me comin’ – you won’t catch me

Rock… rock out
Wind me up – I might punch somebody
Rock… rock out
Switch me off – I might hurt someone
Rock… rock out
Turn me on – I wanna touch somebody
Rock… rock out
Lead me on – I’ll break into your life

I don’t care how ya do me this time
Now you’ve gone too far… I don’t need ya
Years ago you could keep me in line
Now I’m not your star
It’s a split-screen baby – are you wrong or right
Do ya run for cover when they turn out the lights
Through the sound and fury… does it feel like love
Are ya true now darlin’… fist in glove
Play it down on your radio
Can you hear me callin’… I won’t let go

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Stronger
Billy Squier/D. Child, © 1989 by Songs Of The Knight/SBK April Music Inc./Desmobile Music Co. (BMI/ASCAP)

I will live for you – I want you to believe in me
Cause I believe in you – I know how strong the fire can be
I been searchin’ all my life
To find a cause worth fightin’ for
When you came into my life
This feelin’ cuts right through
I feel it gettin’ stronger

Stronger every day – stronger through the night
Stronger for the pain ’cause we made it all right
Stronger when we kiss after every fight
There’s no stronger love than this… baby hold on tight

I’ll be there for you – no matter what the odds will be
When I reach out for you – I know that you’ll be there for me
When I look upon my life
I see the ground I walked before
Tears have fallen like the rain
Life changes we go through
They make us even stronger

Stronger every day – stronger through the night
Stronger for the pain ’cause we made it all right
Stronger when we kiss after every fight
There’s no stronger love than this… baby, baby
Stronger in your arms – stronger on my own
Stronger than the fear of bein’ alone

And if we live a thousand lifetimes
They could never tear us apart
Our dream can last forever
I feel the beat in my heart

Stronger in your arms – stronger on my own
Stronger than the fear of bein’ alone
Stronger when we kiss after every fight
Stronger for the pain ’cause we made it all right
I’ll be there for you – you’ll be there for me
‘Stronger’ is the word and I know we’ll be
Stronger every day – stronger through the night
There’s no stronger love than this… baby hold on tight

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Don’t Say You Love Me
Billy Squier, © 1989 by Songs Of The Knight (BMI)

You can’t get up – you can’t get down
You can’t sit still – you never settle down

Don’t say you love me – just say ‘Huh!’

Your love runs hot – your love runs cold
You can’t get loose until you get control

Don’t say you love me – just say ‘Huh!’
Don’t say you love me – just say ‘All right’

You’re scared to win – you’re scared to lose
You’re scared to live with the life you choose

Don’t say you love me – just say –

You can’t say ‘Yes’ – you can’t say ‘No’
Your mind’s made up – you don’t know where to go

Don’t say you love me – whatcha say
Don’t say you love me – just say ‘Huh!’

I can see you comin’ ’round again
I can feel you but I can’t say when
I will be there in your now and then

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Don’t Let Me Go
Billy Squier, © 1989 by Songs Of The Knight (BMI)

Over and over – wanderin’ through the years
Life is a diamond – love is a trail of tears
Sometimes I want you – sometimes I want to fly
I know when I find you
No one can stop me now – break you

Don’t let me go – don’t let me

Watchin’ the seasons – can’t let you pass me by
Turnin’ the pages – why do we have to lie
You are the reason – yours are the final eyes
And when I hold you
No one can touch me now – break through

Don’t let me go – don’t let me

Never wanna say goodbye – never wanna make you cry
Never wanna see you go
Now every time I close my eyes
You’re the one who makes me realize

Don’t let me go

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Tied Up
Billy Squier/D. Child, © 1989 by Songs Of The Knight/SBK April Music Inc./Desmobile Music Co. (BMI/ASCAP)

In the heart of the night you come on like fire
In the light of dawn leave me cold and tired
When you think of love tell me what you see
And when you dream, do ya dream of me
Feel the passion deep inside
It’s in your blood and you just can’t hide

You want some lovin’ but your heart’s tied up
Try to run but you can’t say stop
Hold me baby – take me higher
Take a chance – set your world on fire
You want some lovin’ but your heart’s tied up

Now the truth is out – honey can’t you see
I’m tied to you and you belong to me
But when we get too close I feel you push away
Nothin’ I do’s gonna make you stay
Tears are clashin’ – worlds collide
You won’t let go and you don’t know why

You want some lovin’ but your heart’s tied up
Gimme fever – you burn me hot
Touch me baby – walk the wire
Tell me ‘No’ – then your heart’s a liar

You need some lovin’ but your heart’s tied up
Try to run but you can’t say stop
Hold me baby – take me higher
Take a chance – set your world on fire
You need some lovin’ but your heart’s tied up

Hold me baby – take me higher
Touch me baby – walk the wire
Roll me darlin’ – light my fire
Spread your wings and love somebody

(Repeat chorus 1 & 2)

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(I Put A) Spell On You
Billy Squier, © 1989 by Songs Of The Knight (BMI)

Find yourself in the middle of the night
With a stranger in the darkness – somethin’ don’t seem right
Ask yourself ‘Whatever does it mean?’
You feel you don’t belong here – still you’re drawn into the scene

Take yourself to the middle of a dream
In a foreign situation nothin’s really what it seems
You’re not alone – through the static in your mind
There’s a long-distance lover on your night-line

From outa nowhere you meet a man – says ‘The time is right’
You never knew him – you can’t get to him
But when ya do – you’ll see the light

I put a spell on you
I’ll look you up – I’ll break you down
I put a spell on you

Time goes on – like a soldier in the rain
Now you’ve been around the world and now you’re goin’ back again
Tell yourself that there’s somethin’ more to gain
When you step into the fire you can never be the same

I see you movin’ – you can’t go home and you don’t know why
You look for somethin’ – you feel that somethin’
Will pull ya through – now wrong or right

I put a spell on you
I watch you walk – you won’t get far
I put a spell on you

It keeps you movin’ – what will you do when your time is right
You take that somethin’ – I’ll give ya somethin’
Don’tcha know – I think you might

I put a spell on you

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G.O.D.
Billy Squier, © 1989 by Songs Of The Knight (BMI)

I been searchin’ for so long
For a love to fill my life – soldier me on
Feel the hunger in my blood
As I walk into the fire I can’t get enough
Where, oh where can I find you

I have seen you and called your name
Walked the streets of my life in vain
Seen the idols with feet of clay
Pull me closer – push me away
Where, oh where can I find you
Where, oh where

Times have taught me to use my time
Journey’s end is an endless climb
When to follow and when to lead
When to know just what I need

Where you gone G.O.D.
Have you gone down on me – don’tcha do
I ain’t ready for no second-hand love
I’m no stranger to this loneliness

Leave me lonely – leave me lost
Leave me nothin’ but myself to carry the cost
Now the only, only reason to come to you again
You gotta fight to win your freedom – lose your chains

Love’s illusions ring all too clear
Cross my mind when I hold you near
Know your pleasure – you leave me cold
Lonely nights with my thoughts untold
Where, oh where can I find you
Where, do ya care

I don’t care what the price may be
‘Down’ is right when you’re down with me
Can you tell me – am I to blame
Sing my song to your heart’s refrain

Where ya gone G.O.D.
Have you run out on me – don’tcha do
All you give me is your second-hand love    
All I wanna do is get on down…get on down…get on down with you


All I ask for and all I pray…
Meet you down on the street someday
Have you taste life from on your knees
Here me callin’ you “help me please”

Where you gone G.O.D.
Have you gone down on me – don’tcha do
I’m not ready for your second-hand love
I’m no stranger for ya

Get on down G.O.D.
Don’tcha run out on me – don’tcha do
I’m no stranger to your second hand love
Now I’m ready for ya

Where you gone G.O.D.
California, don’t wash away from me
I’m not ready for no runaway love
I ain’t ready for no far away love…

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Mine Tonite
Held/Klein/additional lyrics by Billy Squier, © 1989 by Ensign Music Corporation/Mister Guy Music (Adm. by Ensign Music Corporation)/Hit List Music/Little L Music (Adm. by Hit List Music)

Another time, another place for you and me
Is that the way it has to be
I can see it in your eyes – I can feel it inside
This is real – now we’re right back where we started

Stolen hours are all we ever know
It’s so hard to let you go
And in the air that I breathe there’s a chill when you leave
Don’tcha know – one day will be forever

I don’t care what’s wrong or right
I only know you are mine tonite
And for a while we can hold on tight
That’s all I know – you are mine tonite

Simple answers we may never find
Tell your heart to give it time
Now there’s a road if we dare – no one said love was fair
But one day – one day we’ll be together

I don’t care what’s wrong or right
I only know you are mine tonite
And for a while we can hold on tight
That’s all I know – you are mine tonite

Oh-oh – am I lost in this dream, I can’t escape
Oh-oh – There must be some way outa here
But to live without you would be more than I can take

(Choruses repeat)

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The Work Song
Billy Squier, © 1989 by Songs Of The Knight (BMI)

You’re born into life – learn to discover
They take you for life – no time to recover
Work, baby, work
Roll with the mob – dance to the rhythm
Give all you got and take what you’re given
Work, baby work

Hold back the pain – fight for the fever
Work for your girl – work hard to relieve her
Work, baby work
Every day you fight with your job – fight with your lover
Hold back the mob – run for your cover
Work, baby work

Break out tonite – reach out, now don’t let go
Put all your guns away
Turn out the light – reach out, now let me know
It all works out – oh yeah

Life, she’s a bitch – grab on to it
It ain’t whatcha do, it’s all how ya do it
Work, baby work
Pray to your God – never say ‘never’
Run for your life if it takes you forever
Work, baby work

Don’t hurry now – kick back, now take it slow
Put all your guns away
Break out tonite – tomorrow surely knows
It all works out – Oh yeah
Work, baby work

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Your Love Is My Life
Billy Squier, © 1989 by Songs Of The Knight (BMI)

Your love is my life – I live my life through your love
Only two can be right – yours are the arms that I’m dreamin’ of
Though the powers that be may confuse me
I know in your heart you won’t lose me
For once in my life my dream is alive
Never forgotten when I call out to you

Your love is my life – I live my life through your love
Always knew it could feel so right – yours are the arms that I’m dreamin’ of
Though the powers that be may deceive me
I know in my heart you won’t leave me
Our promise is made – our dream can come true
Crimes are forgotten when I call out to you

Though we’re worlds apart, you’re right by my side
The door it lies open – we’re too hot to hide
For once in my life my feelin’s are true
Time make me certain – hear me call out to you

Your love is my life…