'Sickly' was written entirely in the studio over the course of a few hours. The guys (Aaron, Nick & Jesse) began to jam on a moody song in the main room while I (Scott) tried to work out a suitable melody and lyrics. Without much warning 'Sickly' was born. Very moody. Slightly aggressive. Quiet and loud. 'Sickly' remains one of my very favorite Lu songs - partly because I think it's a good song, and partly because of how mysteriously it came to be. Coupled with 'My World Falls Down' on the tail end, 'Sickly' has also been a favorite concert song. An equally moody video for 'Sickly' can be found on Poor Old Lu's 1995 video cassette, 'Sit & Stare'.
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This song is strangely simplistic lyrically. The verses deal with opposite extremes, for the most part, such as "sunny/raining" or "sad/happy", while the chorus is just flat-out frustration and confusion. It isn't until the last few lines that any good comes of it all - "well, i don't know much, but i think i'm on my knees; well, i don't' know much, but i think i gotta pray". Sometimes that's what it all comes down to - still dealing with the pain, confusion and frustration, but knowing *only* that we have to pray. Amen.
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is it sunny?
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or is it raining out today?
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is it calm outside?
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or is the wind all on your face?
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did the storm subside?
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did it leave without a trace?
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are you well?
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or have you never been so sickly?
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are you stupid?
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or have you never been so funny?
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will, i don't know, but i think i'm gonna
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scream
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well, i don't know, but i think i'm going
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crazy
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are you empty?
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or are you all up full of money?
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is your head clear?
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or is it busy, falling, snowing?
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are you sad?
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or have you never been so happy?
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well, i don't know, but i think i'm gonna
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scream
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well, i don't know, but i think i'm going
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crazy
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well, i don't know, but i think i'm
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on my knees
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well, i don't know, but i think i
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gotta pray
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Sickly
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Poor Old Lu |