The Syndicate

Tried to start this on other games forums once or twice and it never really caught on, but I know there are lots of music lovers here so I thought I'd try it.

Basically I'll start by posting an excerpt of lyrics from a song, and the next person posts a few lines from a different song that are associated somehow, like with a similar theme or set of words. Doesn't have to be the whole song, just a verse/part with the associated theme/words.


Do every stupid thing that makes you feel alive
Do every stupid thing to try to drive the dark away
Let people call you crazy for the choices that you make
Climb limits past the limits
Jump in front of trains all day and stay alive
Just stay alive

Play with matches if you think you need to play with matches
Seek out the hidden places where the fire burns hot and bright
Find where the heat's unbearable and stay there if you have to
Don't hurt anybody on your way up to the light and stay alive
Just stay alive

- The Mountain Goats, "Amy aka Spent Gladiator 1"

Well it almost makes me cry to tell
What foolish Harriet does befell
Mama and nurse went out one day
And left her all alone to play
Well on the table close at hand
A box of matches chanced to stand
Well mama and nurse had told her
That if she touched them they would scold her
Well Harriet said what a pity
‘Cos when they burn they seem so pretty
They crackle so they spit and flame
Mama and papa do often do the same
So she wouldn’t take their advice
She lit a match it was so nice
It crackled so it burnt so clear
Exactly like the picture here
So she jumped for joy and she ran about
And was too pleased to put it out
Well the pussy cats they saw this
They said naughty naughty naughty Miss
Oh miaow miaoh miaow miaoh
She’s burning to death we told her so

-The Tiger Lillies
"The Dreadful Story about Harriet and the Matches"

When there's nothing left to burn, you have to set yourself on fire

-Stars "Your Ex-Lover is Dead"

(technically spoken at the beginning of the track but hey I can stretch it )

Have you heard how Sonny's burning
like some bright erotic star?

The Birthday Party - Sonny's Burning

Love, love is a verb
Love is a doing word
Feathers on my breath
Gentle impulsion
Shakes me, makes me lighter
Feathers on my breath

Teardrop on the fire
Feathers on my breath

Teardrop~ Massive Attack

Love is a way of advancing our species
Love is because we want to keep up our species
God is a director he's just found out about us
He's talked to our agents but he don't know much about us

When I die I won't become a ghost
Because I'll have nowhere to haunt
Fuck this town and fuck my dirty hands
When you're strange then if they like you then they gotta be stranger
But they're just strangers

Strangers - Car Seat Headrest

People are strange when you're a stranger
Faces look ugly when you're alone
Women seem wicked when you're unwanted
Streets are uneven when you're down

When you're strange
Faces come out of the rain
When you're strange
No one remembers your name
When you're strange
When you're strange
When you're strange

People are Strange - The Doors

A strange kind of love
A strange kind of feeling
Swims through your eyes
And like the doors
To a wide vast dominion
They open to your prize

This is no terror ground
Or place for the rage
No broken hearts
White wash lies
Just a taste for the truth
Perfect taste choice and meaning
A look into your eyes

Strange Kind of Love~ Peter Murphy/Bauhaus

Sometimes a man gets carried away, when he feels like he should be having his fun
And much too blind to see the damage he's done
Sometimes a man must awake to find that really, he has no-one

So i'll wait for you... and i'll burn
Will I ever see your sweet return
Oh will I ever learn

Oh lover, you should've come over
'Cause it's not too late

Lonely is the room, the bed is made, the open window lets the rain in
Burning in the corner is the only one who dreams he had you with him
My body turns and yearns for a sleep that will never come

It's never over, my kingdom for a kiss upon her shoulder
It's never over, all my riches for her smiles when i slept so soft against her
It's never over, all my blood for the sweetness of her laughter
It's never over, she's the tear that hangs inside my soul forever

Lover, You Should Have Come Over - Jeff Buckley

How can I be sure
For all you say you keep me waiting
How can I be sure
When all you do is see me through
I asked for more and more
How can I be sure

I've been here before
There is no why, no need to try
I thought you had it all
I'm calling you, I'm calling you
I ask for more and more
How can I be sure

Pale Shelter~ TFF