IF THINGS WERE PERFECT

First released 1985

If Things Were Perfect, originally titled Chicken Wire, was played at Model Team International's support gig with The Fall at Manchester Poly in 1980 and appeared on a 1982 demo tape with lyrics rewritten by Gavan and Jennie Ingram.

It formed part of the band's first John Peel Session in 1983 and was listed as a double a-side with Hymn From A Village on the James II EP. Although the other track was seen as the lead by Factory, the band were insistent on the double-A side format as they were happier with this track.

WHERE TO GET

James II EP 7" (FAC119)

Village Fire – 5 Songs By James 12" (FAC138)

Fresh As A Daisy - The Singles (2 disc version)

LYRICS

On a machine like this

Everybody gets their hands oily

Smoke filled room

Nobody's lungs stay clean

But there's a difference between

A swim and a wallow

Gives out a clue to how things might have been

If things were perfect

Ask for perfection

P-p-p-people aren't like that

Any fool can see

Who are you to laugh at me?

I am still

Standing on the chicken wire

Daren't look down

But try and inch a little higher

Friends on the ground

Say "come on it, the water's fine"

But I can see their frozen smiles from here

When you give give give youself to something

Is there anything left you can call your own

If I give give give give my body to someone

Can I keep keep keep a part for me

Oh keep a part for me

Oh leave some piece that's free

I'll do anything to please you

I'll do anything to please you

But take me take me please

I'm asking, but I'm down on my knees

You're warm, a home, a place to hide

You're warm, a home, a place to hide

You're warm, a home, a place to hide

A place to hide

Pity, pity me

Pity, pity me

You might laugh-ha ha ha when it doesn't affect you

While I cry-oh oh oh for all to see

Come on and laugh-ha ha ha when it doesn't affect you

While I cry stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop

Stop

Stop!