Cameras, Pt. 2 Lyrics

[Verse 1: John Daniel]

City lights spark a Twin Cities night
Cigs they ignite, delusional invite
Everything in my eyesight, potential highlight
Of my own downfall - I can't sleep at night
Around y'all, you can see past my guard
Say 'the commentary's so crass, too far'
I don't need separation, separation needs me
Reparations in place, apologize if need be
Listen, I'm the type to wear it on my sleeve
Whatever that is, let's just keep it low key
Knowing me, I'll make mistakes
Knowingly, no degree, just a log full of eroding pleas
Of forgiveness, everything that they listed
They don't know the price they just pay witness
Evicted, from your life reason for omission?
I wasn't the same as I was waiting for admission

[Verse 2: Paul Thompson]

Sometimes I stare at people just to pick out flaws
Then complain about how I never hide my own scars
So there's probably bystanders staring at me like I do
And that's probably why my alter ego's still suicidal
I've got visions of the middle tax brackets and leased cars
Decent relationships, desire and streetcars
Scare myself now and then to remind me that I'm breathing
But they're looking for a martyr for a cause I don't believe in
So call it apathy but I could give a fuck
If any of you think you know me well enough to hold my tongue
And nah, I'm not bitter I'm just stuck in a mood
Wandering around, overdressed, nothing to do

I can't cope with anxiety, my stubbornness is killing me
I write because these broke poets foster instability
I haven't been the same since I spoke with (pause)
Now I'm staring at the ceiling saying nothing had happened
[Verse 3: John Daniel]

Look, I stick out by reason, not for specifics
A fine line between proactive and prolific
I notice shit that goes past their vision
Maybe that accounts for all of our collisions
Still a piece missing but I know the solution
Even with substances, some stay abusing it
Thoughts are a nuisance but it's proven
That some choose how they want to view losing
Hardly perfect, causing enemies to find ways to rehearse it
Think so immersive
Acting behind curtains
Ask my mind how if you're trying to hurt him
I'm the dying center of a thriving nation
Who they censor - or at least get to rephrasing
I'm another dead cell in the bigger picture
At a loss for words even when I'm crowned victor

[Verse 4: Paul Thompson]

I rock blank gazes and subtle reactions
And pass my antipathy off as being passive
I've got issues that I can't explain
I mean shit - ask Taylor, all I do is complain
Insane or misguided, trying to stay private
Dying to move on, I'm still stuck inside it
Alone in the corner when the room's so hectic
Watching the rain hit while I'm reading No Exit
'Lights, please' on the whole production
I try to stay calm, some days I can't fuck with it
Enough of it, I love the stray vision
Heading west on Hennepin, I'm playing Escapism
Living doubt's benefit, I'm probably not a lost cause
Middle of the sidewalk, acting like I'm not lost
It's a delicate balance, you can't fake it
Still looking in all of the wrong places
[Verse 5: Paul Thompson]

I keep seeing the same shot
Cameras unfocused, don't know where the scene stops
Noise in the background - filter it out
Build another maze just so I can figure it out
You can hate the world or be mad at your gods
You can fake the words or just rattle them off
You can be whatever you want except my downfall
You can try to direct, but can't make the cast fall
In familiar quarters with the usual stare
Get me out of my mind because I'm delusional there

I've always hated to burden
I'm like TS Eliot but the alternative version
Once I'm the only one who cares if I breathe
I won't be hanging around, I swear that I'll leave
In the meantime, know that I'm sick of the fake love

Staring at the ceiling while I'm waiting to wake up

[Verse 6: John Daniel]

I stay looking at the world through a jaded frame
Same faces of disdain, they just went and changed the name
Your man remains in pain, consider I'm restrained
Our reasoning is strange so I keep inflicting pain
So many left to blame and I do it without shame
Man, my train of thought stays changing lanes
Not calm, untamed, building steam with one grain
Talked enough about pain, more about the unattained
Stains in the windowpane wash away the fingerprints
What I capture is candid, they're seemingly abandoned
Can they manage a man inflicted by damage
Or can they stand it? It relies on the standard
My advantage is a visible vantage point
Who's left to anoint? Distracting my point
20/20's my vision acting like making 20's my mission
I hope that you listen, praying that I'm smitten
[Verse 7: Paul Thompson]

I keep shooting the same scene
Standing stage left like I don't know what the plays mean
Play a stray bird like the sky can't phase me
Nothing you can do to save me, you can't cage me
I don't drive around aimlessly, I'm looking for something
So it's eyes wide shut while I look for the button
Nothing you can try to do to stop me at the wheel
Because the pressure on my shoulders isn't anything you feel

[Verse 8: John Daniel]

Look, uh, I thought I had it all figured out
I fell in love, with everything I fell in doubt
I'm addicted to deception
Correction, tension's the only feedback I invest in
I want to walk through the city, deprive all my battles
Natural irony - lights emphasize shadows
Let me sit here, conversate with the hi-hat
Cig lit at the balcony, watch the sky crack

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About

Genius Annotation

This is track three off Probable Cause’s EP “Working Title”. Recorded in two days and released January 1st, 2011, it’s available for free download for a limited time right here: http://www.mediafire.com/?4mcbylcftytgty6

The instrumentals used are Pete Rock’s “Creepin'” and Flying Lotus' “Nicodin”, respectively.

Probable Cause is an underground rap duo from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The group consists of John Daniel and Paul Thompson.

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