Part Three: Tragic Kingdom
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The same small club as the past two nights is crowded beyond its capacity. News of the No Doubt tribute band has gotten around and more and more people wish to see the show. The room is darkened, except for a blue light dimly lighting the stage. The air is musty and smokey.
Someone screams, "There they are!" as the band walks out on stage. The club fills with cheering, whistling, and clapping. The band takes their places. Quistis adjusts the microphone to her liking and the smiles. "Oh, hello!" she says. She speaks and the crowd dies down. "It's good to see our audience growing. Welcome to our third night here. Tonight we'll be performing No Doubt's third album, Tragic Kingdom, which is on sale at the back table. I think since there are many more people here than the first time, I'll introduce the band again." People cheer. "Ok! Back here, on drums, Irvine Kinneas!" People cheer and Irvine bangs around on his drums.
"Our amazing bassist, Squall Leonhart!" Squall fingers an impressive riff.
"The man of many talents, Seifer Almasy on guitar!" Seifer throws his guitar over his head and plays there. He puts his guitar back the way it's supposed to be.
"In the brass section, Fujin on trumpet, Raijin on trombone!" Fujin and Raijin do a barber shop quartet sounding jingle.
"Zell Dincht on keyboard!" Zell plays a small part from 'Moonlight Sonata.'
"And I'm Quistis Trepe. Here we go!"
Irvine plays a very recognizable drum part as the first song starts up. Guitar, bass, keyboards, and brass come in and everyone recognizes the song as 'Spiderwebs.' Quistis sings.
"You think that we connect
That the chemistry's correct
Your words walk right through my ears
Presuming I like what I hear
And now I'm stuck in the
The web you're spinning
You've got me for your prey"
Seifer slides up his guitar and the chorus starts and people sing along.
"Sorry I'm not home right now
I'm walking into spiderwebs
So leave a message and I'll call you back
A likely story
But leave a message and I'll call you back"
"You take advantage of what's mine
You're taking up my time
Don't have the courage inside me
To tell you please let me be
Communication
A telephonic invasion
I'm planning my escape"
Seifer uses his slide again.
"Sorry I'm not home right now
I'm walking into spiderwebs
So leave a message and I'll call you back
A likely story
But leave a message and I'll call you back"
"And it's all your fault
I screen my phone calls
No matter who calls
I gotta screen my phone calls"
The music changes dramatically and Seifer goes into a distant sounding guitar solo.
"Now it's gone too deep
You wake me in my sleep
My dreams become nightmares
Cause you're ringing in my ears"
The music goes back to the happy tune.
"Oh, sorry I'm not home right now
I'm walking into spiderwebs
So leave a message and I'll call you back
A likely story
But leave a message and I'll call you back
And it's all your fault
I screen my phone calls
No matter matter matter who calls
I gotta screen my phone calls
Ooh, Spiderwebs
Leave a message and I'll call you back
I'm walking into spiderwebs
So leave a message and I'll call you back
It's all your fault
I screen my phone calls
No matter matter matter who calls
I gotta screen my phone calls
It's all your fault
It's all your fault
No matter who calls
No matter who calls"
The music slows down briefly and then tones down a little.
"Oh, I'm walking' into spiderwebs
So leave a message and I'll call you back
I'm walking into spiderwebs
Leave a message and I'll call you back
It's all your fault
No matter who calls
I gotta screen my phone calls
It's all your fault
No matter matter matter who calls
I screen my phone calls"
The song ends and people cheer and cheer and the band takes a bow. People still cheer as Quistis talks. "I take it you know that one. It's 'Spiderwebs.' While I'm here, I'm gonna tell you a little about the band, No Doubt. No Doubt was started way back in the 1980's in Anaheim, California. One of the members, Eric Stefani, thought his sister, Gwen, should sing along with the band's front man John Spence. She took up on the offer and they played to small crowds around Orange County. Many of the members didn't work out and they began to look for new members to replace old ones. Eric stayed, playing his keyboards, as did Gwen on vocals. Gwen found bassist Tony Kanal, who she began a secretive relationship with that lasted for 6 years. A No Doubt fan himself, Adrian Young auditioned for them when he saw a flyer saying they were looking for a drummer. He said he had been playing for 8 years, although he'd only played for a year. Guitarist Tom Dumont started playing with No Doubt, and although he was never officially welcomed into the band, he played with them since. The brass section of the band went through many brass players, but they finally settled on Stephen Bradley and Gabriel McNair. They were around for around 10 years before they got any fame and fortune. Their third album, Tragic Kingdom, had hits such as Spiderwebs, Don't Speak, and Just a Girl. That began the legacy known as No Doubt." Quistis took a deep breath and a chug of water. People clapped. "Anyways, the next song is called 'Excuse Me Mr.'"
Seifer starts a fast song up and Quistis sings.
"Woah
I'm like a beggar with no luck
I'm holding signs up
On your street corner stops
Like most you try not to see me
Stare straight ahead
Ignore the responsibility
Excuse me…excuse me mister
Well I've been waiting in line
And I'd like to buy some of your time
I'm very anxious, eager, willing
What's your billing?
So please excuse me mister
You've got things all wrong
You make it feel like a crime
So don't confuse me mister
I've know you too long
All I need is a little of your time
Oh, for most love comes for free
They don't pay the high cost
Of mental custody
I'll pay bail for a guarantee
Make space for me
In the time yet to be
Excuse me…excuse me mister
Well I've been waiting in line
And I'd like to buy some of your time
I've been saving up my life
What's your price?
So please excuse me mister
You've got things all wrong
You make it feel like a crime
So don't confuse me mister
I've know you way too long boy
All I need is a little of your time
The music changes to a very old fashioned sound.
"What should I do?
I'm about to crack
And there's a force that comes over me
It's almost as if I'm tied to the tracks
And I'm waiting for him to rescue me
The funny thing is he's not going to come
He's not going to find me
This is a matter of fact
The desire you lack
This is the way I guess it has to be"
The tune changes to suspenseful music.
"A little of your time
I need a little of your time
Please, a little of your time"
Back to the normal music.
"So please excuse me mister
You've got things all wrong
You make it feel like a crime
So don't confuse me mister
I've known you way too long boy
All I need is a little of your time
I'm in line to buy time
I'm in line to buy time
I'm in line to
I'm in line to
Excuse me
Well I've been waiting in line
Excuse me
Excuse me mister"
The song ends with a short drum solo from Irvine. People cheer and whistle and Quistis waves and takes a sip of water. "Hey, you should recognize this one." Seifer plays a very familiar guitar riff and Zell adds his part on keyboards. After a little, the drums add in.
"Take this pink ribbon off my eyes
I'm exposed and it's no big surprise
Don't you think I know exactly where I stand?
This world is forcing me to hold your hand
Cause I'm just a girl
Oh, Little ol' me
Well don't let me out of your sight
Oh I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite
So don't let me have any rights
Oh…I've had it up to here!
The moment that I step outside
So many reasons
For me to run and hide
I can't do the little things
I hold so dear
Cause it's all those little things
That I fear
Cause I'm just a girl
I'd rather not be
Cause they won't let me drive late at night
Oh I'm just a girl
Guess I'm some kind of freak
Cause they all sit and stare with their eyes
Oh I'm just a girl
Take a good look at me
Just your typical prototype
Oh…I've had it up to here!"
Zell has his golden moment in his keyboard solo.
"Oh…am I making myself clear?
I'm just a girl
I'm just a girl in the world
That's all that you'll let me be!
Oh I'm just a girl
Living in captivity
Your rule of thumb makes me worry some
Oh I'm just a girl
What's my destiny?
What I've succumbed to is making me numb
Oh I'm just a girl, my apologies
What I've become is so burdensome
Oh I'm just a girl, lucky me
Twiddle-dum
There's no comparison
Oh…I've had it up to!
Oh…I've had it up to!!
Oh…I've had it up to here…"
The crowd roars as Quistis has the band take another bow. "Thought you'd like that one!" she says enthusiastically. "That was 'Just a Girl,' probably the second most well known song No Doubt is known for. The other being one we'll get to later on. This next one Gwen wrote after her break up with Tony Kanal. In fact, many songs on the album were written about their break up and her anger. This one is called 'Happy Now?'"
Squall slides down the neck of his bass, therefore starting the song and guitar and drums add in. As does Quistis.
"You had the best but you gave her up
Cause dependency might interrupt
Idealistic will so hard to please
Put your indecisive mind at ease
You broke the set
Now there's, there's only singles
There's no looking back
And this time I mean it
Are you happy now?
Well tell me how
You're happy now
Are you happy?
The uncertainty you had had of me
Brought clouded shady company
The tenderness habitual
A seldom fading ritual
You killed the pair
Now only one is breathing
There's no looking back
This time I mean it
Are you happy now?
Well tell me how
You're happy now
Are you happy?
Are you happy now?
How is it now?
Are you happy now?
Are you happy?"
The music quiets down some and Quistis sings the bridge.
"No more leaning on your shoulder
I won't be there
No more bother
If you feel you just might want me
That's to bad
I'm not that easy"
Seifer flies through another cool guitar solo.
The music from the beginning starts again.
"The contemplator all those years
And you must adhere to your new career
Of liberation
You've been cast all by yourself
You're free at last
You broke the set
Now there's, there's only singles
There's no looking back
This time I mean it
Are you happy now?
Tell me how
You're happy now
Are you happy?
Are you happy now?
How is it now?
Are you happy now?
Are you happy?
Oh, you're by yourself
All by yourself
You got no one else
You're by yourself
All by yourself
All by yourself
All by yourself
All by yourself
No one else
No one else
By yourself
By yourself"
The music ends with the guitar trailing off. As the crowd cheers, they go right into the next song. It has a happy upbeat sound. Quistis sings.
"Well, things can be broken down
In this world of ours
You don't have to be a famous person
Just to make a mark
A mother can be an inspiration
To her little son
Change his thoughts, his mind, his life
Just with her gentle hum
So different
Yet so the same
Two sisters
Only have their parents to blame
It's rare that two can get along
But when they do, they're inseparable
Such a blessing comes to few, yeah
The sky is full of clouds
And my world's full
Of people
You got the different kinds
With different ways
It would take a lifetime to explain
Not one's the same, hey
He and she
Two different people
With two separate lives
Then you put the two together
And get a wonderful surprise
Cause one can teach the other one
What she doesn't know
While still the other fills a place inside
He never knew had room to grow
Grow
Grow
The sky is full of clouds
And my world's full
Of people
You got the different kinds
With different ways
It would take a lifetime to explain
Not one's the same, hey"
Seifer does a slow scale and then Quistis sings again.
"Oh yeah
Once in a while
I sit back
I think about the planet
And most of the time I trip on it
To kick back and think about how massive it all is
And how many others are on it
Yeah"
There is a short horn solo followed by a cool guitar solo. After the solo, the music quiets down to just the guitar and the cymbals on the drums.
I often think about the world
In which I live today
Of animals and plants
And nature's gifts set on display"
The music gets louder again.
"But the most amazing thing
That I've seen in my time
Are all the different people
And all their different minds
Minds
Minds
Minds"
The music pauses for a few seconds and people cheer. The music comes back full force.
"And different ways
It would take a lifetime to explain
Not one's exactly the same
So many different people
So many different kinds
So many many many different people
So many different
Look at me
I'm a person
Look at me
I'm my own person
So many different people
So many different kinds
For better off or worse
Different people"
The music stops and people cheer. "Thank you. That was called 'Different People' and is a very cool, positive song. One of my favorites on the album. Anyways, I have this video of No Doubt performing live. It's called 'No Doubt live in the Tragic Kingdom.' Ever heard of it?" Some people cheer. "Very good video. No Doubt was a very good live band. Lots of energy. They did this next song different from what it is on the CD. They did sort of an unplugged version. Tom Dumont finger picked on an acoustic guitar, Tony Kanal played an acoustic bass, and Adrian Young banged on the congas. It sounded great. I was thinking maybe we could do that tonight, what do you say? Seifer? Squall? Irvine?" She looks back at them and Seifer and Squall put down their guitars and Irvine gets up from his drum set. Seifer pulls up two stools and Squall brings out two acoustic guitars, one bass, and one regular. Irvine drags out two congas. "I think that's a yes. Ok, here we go. This song is called 'Hey You.'"
Seifer and Squall finish getting set up and Seifer begins to finger pick a very pretty sounding tune. Quistis sings.
"Hey you with the wedding dress on
Made of white chiffon blowing in the wind
Hey you with the dreams in your head
You've been so mislead by your heart, oh
I know you're waiting for your ship to come in
You anxiously wait for such a long time
You're just like my Ken and Barbie doll
You dress up
You play the game
You're just like my Ken and Barbie doll
Your name will never change"
Irvine and Squall come in on the congas and acoustic bass.
"Hey you with your eyes full of hope
You think you can grope your desires
Hey you, you naïve thing
Your patience in time will tire
I know you're thinking that your tide will roll in
How did you ever get such high hopes?
You're just like my Ken and Barbie doll
You dress up you play the game, game
You're just like my Ken and Barbie doll
Your name will never change
Your name will never change
You're just like my Ken and Barbie doll
In a plastic world of make believe
You're just like my Ken and Barbie doll
You know he's just gonna leave
Zell comes in shortly to do a keyboard solo.
"Hey you
Hey you
Hey you
I know you're waiting for your life to begin
Well wake up girl you got it all wrong, wrong wrong
You want a prize that you're not gonna win
Oh face it girl you've got it all wrong
Wrong
You're just like my Ken and Barbie doll
You dress up you play the game
Game
You're just like my Ken and Barbie doll
Your name will never change
Your name will never change
You're just like my Ken and Barbie doll
In a plastic world of make believe, believe
You're just like my Ken and Barbie doll
You know he's just gonna leave"
The song slows down and stops and people cheer. "I love that version. I'd do the other version too, but we do have a time limit." Quistis laughs with herself. Seifer, Squall, and Irvine get set up again. "If you'd like to hear the CD version, go buy it, its back there," she says, pointing to a table in the back selling merchandise. "This next song is called 'The Climb.'" Quistis takes a drink of her water as the song begins.
The song starts out with guitar, keyboards and drums. After the intro, the music is quiet and Quistis sings.
"Step by step I come closer to reaching the top
Every step must be placed so that I don't fall off
Looking down to see about how much higher I am
Another cool wind comes through, brushes my skin"
The music gets somewhat louder and more intense.
"Oh, the harder I push, the tension does grow
I gather my thoughts, the further and further I go
With some luck I just might keep on climbing
So better to climb than to face a fall"
The music is loud as the chorus is sung.
"So high the climb
I can't turn back now
Must keep climbing up to the clouds
So high the climb
I can't turn back now
Must keep climbing up to the clouds"
The music stays intense and loud.
"Woah
Pulling myself by a rope I better my view
Woah
The only thing in sight is what I must do
As I turned I could see myself falling, falling, falling
Which in return gave me strength for the climb
So high the climb
I can't turn back now
Must keep climbing up to the clouds
So high the climb
I can't turn back now
Must keep climbing up and up to the clouds"
There is a cool but short horn solo. After, marching music starts.
"Although many failed
I must now prevail with no question
Have no time to stop
Onward to the top
Of the mountain
Woah and I
I can't turn back now
It's so very high
But I can't turn back now"
The music quiets down.
"If I keep it up I'm gonna make it
I'm so very close
Can't you see?"
The music becomes intense again.
"So high the climb
I can't turn back now
Must keep climbing up to the clouds
So high the climb
I can't turn back now
Must keep climbing up and up to the clouds
Woah
So high the climb
I can't turn back now
Must keep climbing up and up to the clouds
Zell shines again in a keyboard solo of sorts.
Getting closer
I'm getting closer
Coming closer
Getting closer
Oooooooo
Looking back
To you
Looking back
To you
Looking back
To you
Looking back
To you
Looking back
To you
Looking back
To you
Looking back
To you
To the top
To the top
To the top
To the top
To the top
To the top
To the top
Climb up to the top
To the top
To the top
To the top
To the top
To the top
To the top
To the top
To the top
To the top
To the top
Woah
Looking back
To you
Looking back
To you
Looking back
To you"
The music slows down and ends with Zell's keyboard. People cheer at the long, cool song. "Wow, my throat hurts!" Quistis massages her throat while she finishes up her water. She signals to Doug and he throws her another one. "Thanks. Much better tonight, Doug." She smiles sarcastically at him and he flicks her off. Quistis looks flabbergasted.
"Anyways, that was 'The Climb.' This next song is called 'Sixteen.'"
Irvine yells, "One! Two! Three! Four!" while hitting his drumsticks together and the song begins. It has a heavy metal feel to it. After about fifteen seconds, Quistis yells:
"Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
Quistis sings.
"You've been a juvenile
With a dolphin smile
With no elbow room
With your body in bloom
You've had your little backyard
Protected by big walls
You didn't dare look over
Cause you've been too small
Now you're finally sixteen
And you're feeling old
But they, they won't believe
That you've got a soul
Woah woah woah no
Cause you're only sixteen
And you're feeling real
But you can't seem to cop a feel
Woah woah no
Why do they have to force us
Through this metamorphose
A little butterfly
No matter how you try
You'll be segregated
You're gonna be closed off
You're callow and you're green
Cause you're caught between
Yeah you're only sixteen
Try to cross the line
But your little wings are intertwined
Woah woah woah no
Yeah you're only sixteen
And you're such a tease
And there's nothing you do
That can really please
Woah woah woah no"
The heavy metal sounding music stops and a light shines on a previously hidden Selphie with a violin and Rinoa on cello. They do a duet as Zell says:
"These children
They're not really bad, most of them
Just products of rough neighborhoods and bad family situations"
The pretty violin and cello end and Seifer goes into a heavy guitar solo.
"You know you can't forsake it
So sit back and take it
You say you're just not ripe
So don't try and fight that
You're only sixteen
You wanna catch a peek
But they look at you
Like you're such a freak
Woah
Woah no
Well you're only sixteen
With a lot to say
But they, they won't give you
The time of day
Woah
Woah no
Well you're only sixteen
You're only sixteen
You're only sixteen
You're only sixteen
Yeah you're just sixteen
You're only sixteen
Yeah you poor little thing"
The music ends with Irvine doing a drum roll and it goes right into the next song. Irvine's drum roll continues and soon the bass adds in and the guitar plays two high notes, then one more and the rest of the band joins in.
"Sappy pathetic little me
That was the girl I used to be
You had me on my knees
I'd trade you places any day
I never thought you could be that way
But you looked like me on Sunday"
There's a drum roll with a crescendo before the chorus.
"You came in with the breeze
On Sunday morning
You sure have changed since yesterday
Without any warning
I thought I knew you
I thought I knew you
I thought I knew you well
So well"
The chorus ends and the music quiets down.
"You're trying my shoes on for a change
They look so good but fit so strange
Out of fashion so I can't complain
You came in with the breeze
On Sunday morning
You sure have changed since yesterday
Without any warning
I thought I knew you
I thought I knew you
I thought I knew you well
So well"
The music changes to mellow but in your face.
"I know who I am but who are you?
You're not looking like you used to
You're on the other side of the mirror
So nothing's looking quite as clear
Thank you for turning on the light
Thank you now you're the parasite
I didn't think you had it in you
And now you're looking like I used to"
The music changes back to normal.
You came in with the breeze
On Sunday morning
You sure have changed since yesterday
Without any warning
And you want me badly
Because you cannot have me
I thought I knew you
But I've got a new
I thought I knew you well
Oh well
Oooo on Sunday morning
Without a warning
Sunday morning
I thought I knew you
Sunday morning
Oh you want me badly
Cannot have me
Sunday morning
Sunday morning
Sunday morning"
People clap because that song is so cool. "That was 'Sunday Morning.' Yet another one written about Tony Kanal. Speaking of songs written about Tony Kanal, this next one is the one No Doubt is most known for. It's just a great song all around and I invite you to sing along."
A very familiar tune starts up, it's just guitar. Two notes, then a lower one, two notes then a lower one. Anyone would recognize it as 'Don't Speak.' The author wishes to brag to everyone that she can play this song.
"You and me
We used to be together
Everyday together
Always
I really feel
That I'm losing
My best friend
I can't believe this could be
The end
It looks as though
You're
Letting go
And if it's real then I don't want to know"
Bass and drums add in for the chorus.
"Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me cause it hurts
Don't speak
I know what you're thinking
I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me cause it hurts"
The next part has Rinoa on cello again.
"Our memories
They can be inviting
But some are altogether mighty
Frightening
As we die
Both you and I
With my head in my hands I sit and cry
Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me cause it hurts
No no no
Don't speak
I know what you're thinking
And I don't' need your reasons
Don't tell me cause it hurts
It's all ending
We gotta stop pretending
Who we are"
Seifer steps up to a podium where an acoustic guitar is perched. He plays a very good solo on it and then goes back to the electric guitar. As it ends, there is a small trumpet line.
"You and me
I can see us dying
Are we?
Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me cause it hurts
No no
Don't speak
I know what you're thinking
And I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me cause it hurts
Don't tell me cause it hurts
I know what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't speak
Don't speak
Don't speak
No
I know what you're thinking
And I don't need your reasons
I know you good
I know you good
I know you real good
Oh
La la la la la la la
La la la la la la la
Don't
Don't
Oh oh
Hush hush darling
Hush hush darling
Hush hush
Don't tell me cause it hurts
Hush hush darling
Hush hush darling
Hush hush
Don't tell me cause it hurts"
The song ends and people scream and cheer and clap and stand. The cheering continues for a couple minutes. Quistis bathes in self-glory. "Thank you, thank you so much. You all should have recognized that one as 'Don't Speak.' This next one is called 'You Can Do It' and was featured on the Showgirls soundtrack."
There is a short horn intro, then it goes into full disco.
"Ooo
Ooo ooo ooo
Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo
Ooo ooo ooo
Ooo ooo ooo
Since you've been gone
Since you've been unglued
It's hard to figure out your next move
One minute here the next you're gone
Let's make and end to this sad, sad song
For your it's hard to take
Cause the pill has an awful taste
Just open up and swallow down
Once it hits bottom things may turn around
Unfortunately this is the case
You got to catch up and win the race
And straighten yourself out
You can do it
You're gonna do it
Jumpin' through it
Yeah, yeah
Everything you say has been taken wrong
And let's just say it's a sad, sad song
They can't understand that you meant to do good
I guess you could say you're misunderstood
I know you're meaning well
But you've been shot to hell
Just come back and join us now
Cause I know that you know how
Unfortunately this is the case
You've go to catch up and win the race
Oh, Straighten yourself out
You can do it
You're gonna do it
Jumpin' through it
Yeah yeah yeah
There's a keyboard solo followed by a mellow jazzy trumpet solo.
I know it seems they're messing with your mind
But you don't have to go forward blind
So let the bygones be bygones
And let's make it into this sad, sad song
Ooo ooo ooo
Oh yeah
Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo
Ooo ooo ooo ooo
Ooo ooo ooo
Oh
Unfortunately this is the case
You've got to catch up and win the race
And straighten yourself out
You can do it
You're gonna do it
Jumpin' through it
You're gonna do it
You can do it
You're gonna do it
You can do it
You're gonna do it
You can do it
You're gonna do it
You can do it
You can do it
You can do it
You'll get through it
You can do it
You can do it
You can do it
You can do it
You can do it"
The music fades and people clap. Quistis takes a drink and then speaks. "I must admit, this next song isn't my favorite. But hey, we said we'd do all of them, right? This is 'World Go Round.'"
A country sounding tune starts, then horns add. It's a slowish paced song. Sounds reggae, as well. Quistis sings.
"In the quickness of our haste
It seems we forget how to live
The old blueprint no longer manifests itself
As the correct way to exist
So wipe the grime off the view hole
And please take a closer look
Environmental bandits up to their shenanigans
Crooks disguised
As crooks disguised as
We gotta find another way to make the world go 'round
We gotta find another way to make the world go 'round"
Same horn riff from the beginning.
"Individual roles we think
Not so important to the plot
The big picture unseen
Leaving life in between
Destroyed and overwrought
There's no need to point the finger
We understand who takes the blame
Delinquents caught
Red-handed in the act
Crooks disguised
As you and I
We gotta find another way to make the world go 'round
We gotta find another way to make the world go 'round
We gotta find another way to make the world go 'round
Yeah, find another way"
This next part sounds very reggae.
"You see there's many many many people in the world
And I'm not sure if I like what I've heard
I'm not sure if I like what I'm doing myself
I'm not sure if I like how it turns
Oh degradation
Violation, oh
Inexcusable exploitation
It's the dawning of a new era
People consciously don't care
How unfair"
Back to the stupid annoying country sounding music. After a while it sounds reggae again.
"Find another way to make the world go round
We gotta find another way to make the world go 'round
We gotta find another way to make the world go 'round, yeah yeah
Yeah, we gotta find another way
Gotta find another way
We gotta find another way to make the world go 'round
World go 'round
World go 'round
You got to send me another way
In the quickness of our haste we don't care
In the quickness of our haste we don't care
We gotta find another way"
The song fades out and people clap n' stuff. Quistis speaks. "Yeah, whatever. Okay, next song. It's my favorite of all of the No Doubt songs. It's entitled 'End It On This.'"
The songs starts off with a guitar part, then keyboard adds in followed by bass and drums. It's a rockin' beat!
"You see in the past I had a dream, a fantasy
I thought that we would last
Become a little family
Then one two three four
The years were flyin' by
They soared
And it's my gut feeling
It's not happening for me"
The music quiets down somewhat and keyboard plays a nice little ditty as Quistis sings the chorus.
"So, let's end it on this
Give me one more kiss
Let's end it on this
Let's end it on this"
Back to the cool stuff.
"You see it's hard to face the addict that's inside of me
I want to fill my glass up with you constantly
I've been here before
But I've never ever felt this sure
And now I know I've been dreaming
And your actions have inspired me
So let's end it on this
Give me one more kiss
It's over
Let's end it on this
Let's end it on this
It's over
Just one more wish
One last kiss
It's over
Let's end it on this
Let's end it on this"
The song mellows out and Seifer strums a few chords throughout the bridge.
"I open up you ignore me
Oh you're not the same at all
No oh
And if I could turn back the pages of time
I'd rewrite your point of view"
Seifer plays a short guitar solo. Then the "rockin' beat" comes back.
"Washed up on the shore
Give me one last chance to try some more
But I'm tired
I'm freezing
Let's stop and call it history
Well let's end it on this
Let's end it on this
It's over
Let's end it on this
Let's end it on this
It's over
Let's end it on this
End it on this
It's over
Let's end it on this
Let's end it on
It's over
Washed up on the shore
Give me one last chance to try some more
But let's end it on this
Let's end it on this
It's over
It's over"
People cheer and clap as the song ends and Quistis yells over them, "Okay! Last song and then we're out of here! 'Tragic Kingdom!'"
A track is played in the background sounding like some kind of airport or something and then all instruments play the same 8 notes and tragic sounding music starts up. Quistis sings and prances around the stage.
"Once was a magical place
Over time it was lost
Price increased the cost
Now the fortune of the kingdom
Is locked up in its dungeon walls
The castle floor lies in traps
With coiled wires set back
Decoyed by old cheese
Now the drawbridge has been lifted
As the millions
They drop to their knees
They page homage to a king
Whose dreams are buried in their minds
His tears are frozen stiff
Icicles drip from his eyes
The cold wind blows as it snows
On those who fight to get in
On heads that are small
Disillusioned as they enter
They're unaware what's behind castle walls, walls
But now it's written in stone
The king has been overthrown
By jesterly fools
And the power of the people
Shall come to believe they do rule
They page homage to a king
Whose dreams are buried in their minds
His tears are frozen stiff
Icicles drip from his eyes"
The same 8 notes from the beginning are played and Quistis sings them in the form of:
Welcome to the tragic kingdom
Cornfields of popcorn have yet to spring open"
Have they lost their heads
Or are they all just blind mice
We've heard all their stories
One too many times
Hypnotized by fireflies
That glow in the dark
Midgets that disguise themselves
As tiny little dwarfs
The parade that's electrical
It serves no real purpose
Just takes up a lot of juice
Just to impress us"
Same 8 notes again, then Seifer does a really cool fast guitar solo thing.
"They pay homage to king
Whose dreams are buried in their minds" Short horn riff.
"His tears are frozen stiff
Icicles drip from his eyes"
The music slows and quiets down.
"Oh, they drip from his eyes
Into our lives
They drip from his eyes
They're paying homage to a king
A king who's buried, buried in their minds"
Seifer plays the same cool riff over and over as Quistis sings in the same fashion as before ( 8 notes). The music slowly speeds up as she keeps singing.
"Welcome
To the
Tragic
Kingdom
Cornfields of popcorn
Have yet to spring open
Welcome
To the
Tragic
Kingdom
Welcome
To the
Tragic
Kingdom
Welcome
To the
Tragic
Kingdom
Welcome
To the
Tragic
Kingdom
Welcome
To the
Tragic
Kingdom
Welcome
To the
Tragic
Kingdom
Welcome
To the
Tragic
Kingdom
Welcome
To the
Tragic
Kingdom"
The song ends with all the instruments going crazy, then there's a tragic yet crummy sounding (it's on purpose) trumpet solo and a nice sounding saxophone solo. The song ends.
"That's it for us! See you tomorrow night when we do 'Return of Saturn!'" Quistis and the band exit the stage and people cheer and cheer and cheer...
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
That's it for the Tragic Kingdom. Next up, as Quistis informed you, will be Return of Saturn. That's not the end though! Nu uh! There will be at least 2 more chapters after that. Stayed tuned, I'm out.
