Non album tracks
Lyrics 
Below is a list of Idle Race songs (including lyrics) that didn't appear on any of the three original albums. As discussed earlier, many of these tracks were released as singles only, often with unique 'B' sides. Also included are the two Nightriders songs (which featured a young Jeff Lynne on guitar) plus the three 'alternative' takes which appeared on the fantastic "Back to the Story" CD released on the EMI label a few years back.

I have still to complete the lyrics. and as far as I'm aware they are correct to these ears! If you spot any omissions please send me an email!

It's Only The Dog
They don't write songs like that anymore!

You turn me off, and then you leave me in here
And then I'm scratching at, your door, begging you for, some more

You make me hide, so your friends can come inside, and tell me to be quiet

I make some noise and I hear this haggled voice yelling "Hey what's the riot?"

And I hear you say...

It's only the dog
Or maybe the cat
Or maybe the bird
Uh huh honey it's only me

He jumps off, his chair, said "I'm a gonna look in there"
My heart hits, the floor, as he came toward the door
He opened up to see, and fortunately for me, I resembled sherpa jacket
He closed the door, admitted he was wrong, about all the racket
Then I heard you say...

It's only the dog
Or maybe the cat
Or maybe it's that bird
Uh huh honey it's only me

Finally, your friends, say they're gonna be goin'
Couldn't wait to hear, "Hey, you come out now boy, it's all clear"
Gave me the sign, I was out in record time, but to my surprise
From under the bed came my friend Ed
From behind the drapes came 'cousin and along with the guys' (Not sure about this line)

Now what you gonna say?

It's only the dog
Or maybe the cat
Or maybe it's that bird
Uh huh honey it's only me

1966 (Wayne/McCracken) 2.13
Your Friend

Did your friend tell you that I called today?
Did your friend tell you that I'm sad at losing you?

Did he tell you that I shouldn't cry?

Did he tell you that I had no pride?

Your friend
Your friend

Did your friend tell you that I called today?
Did your friend tell you that I'm gonna grieve for you?

Did he tell you that I cried aloud

To the sky and to the watching crowd?

Your friend
Your friend

Just the thought, of even losing you, makes everything I do
Jus' wanna sigh, and cry, and die

Did your friend tell you that I called today?
Did your friend tell you that I'm sad at losing you?

Did he tell you that I shouldn't cry?

Did he tell you that I had no pride?

Your friend
Your friend
Your friend

1966 (Wilde) 3.22
Here We Go Round The Lemon Tree

There's a girl next door to me who's 'round the bend
But she wonders why she can't make any friends

From her garden she could see me, in her silver clad bikini

Singing, dancing 'round her fruit trees

Here we go 'round the lemon tree
Mister can you hear me?

Here we go 'round the lemon tree

Mister don't come near me

But I calm her down by throwing stones at her
If only I could make the right approach to her

Think I'd rather tame a tiger, turn those lemons into cider

Still I'd like to get beside her

Here we go 'round the lemon tree
Mister can you hear me?

Here we go 'round the lemon tree

Mister don't come near me

Three o'clock in the morning
I could hear her toneless singing

I could smell her lemon perfume in the air

I walked up to her window, in the hope that I might see her

But the deadly shade of night still lingered there

Here we go 'round the lemon tree
Mister don't come near me

Morning came and into action went my plan
Ran to meet her dressed in bright green underpants

I crept in and sang discretely

Seemed to change her mind completely

Dance together singing sweetly

Here we go 'round the lemon tree
Mister can you hear me?

Here we go 'round the lemon tree

Mister don't come near me

1968 (R.Wood) 2.43 


My Father's Son

I'm awake before dawn every morning
In time to see the rising of the sun
Though I know my sorrows
I'm not what I seem

'Cause I am my fathers son
I am my fathers son

I'm not a happy fellow
But my friends all think I am
Trying to fit the shoes, of some other man

'Cause I am my fathers son
I am my fathers son

A prisoner of convention
Has made me what I am
Live my life conforming, to another's plan

I am my fathers son
I am my fathers son
I feel it every day
I am my fathers son
Even though he's far away
I am my fathers son

1967 (D.Pritchard) 2.13 


Impostors Of Life's Magazine

How do you know, what you feel Is it real, is it?
How do you know, what you see Is it seen, is it?

Impostors of life's magazine
Impostors of life's magazine

How do you know, how do your friends forsake you?

Your name from their memories has gone

You may be left out in the cold
If so, do not despair

Just read the magazine my friend

Your name is printed there

Impostors of life's magazine
Impostors of life's magazine

Touch your friends girl, will he mind, will his mind, will it?
Feel your friends think, in their thoughts They're with you, are they?

Impostors of life's magazine
Impostors of life's magazine

You may be left out in the cold If so, do not despair

Just read the magazine my friend

Your name is printed there

Impostors of life's magazine

Impostors of life's magazine

Impostors of life's magazine

Impostors of life's magazine

1968 (J.Lynne) 2.17 


Knocking Nails Into My House

This house is mine but the men they say is not
You see this house is the only thing I've got

Running 'round they work so hard and fast

But they don't know my house is built to last

Here comes a man, in a van
And he's looking very angry at me

They're knocking nails into walls upon my walls
They run and hide as the old grey ceiling falls

Eagerly they gather in my shed

They've gone for now, so I can ease my head

Here comes a man, in a van
And he's looking very angry at me

They're knocking nails into my house
They're knocking nails into my house

They work so hard, all is left is my front room
There goes a wall, oh I think I spoke too soon

Here comes a man, in a van
And he's looking very angry at me

They're knocking nails into my house
They're knocking nails into my house

They're knocking nails into my house

1968 (J.Lynne) 2.23 


Days Of The Broken Arrows

There goes that little girl again
Her years have passed, but all in vain
The birds have fallen from the trees
And it is told in these old memories

Birds on the wing at the end of the day
The trees of green and brown you see
Have suddenly turned grey

Don't be too sad when you're waiting for death
The message on the garden wall says
Mickey Mouse is bad

Ooh, Need, I need, I need, I need her
The broken arrows in the door, there's lots of Indians
Ooh, Need, I need, I need, I need her
The grass has grown above her hair
The pretty patterned teddy bear
Aah, aah aah yeah yeah

Her baby cries in the heat of the night
Footsteps up the stairs her mother's there to hold her tight

Happy young child and his dog running wild
Spring is in the air and they've been running for a mile

Remember when that girl was 5 years old
Now she's grown older with the lie she told

Why did this happen, where did I do wrong?
I know that now I'm home I'm not too young and then I'm gone

Ooh, Need, I need, I need, I need her
The broken arrows in the door; there's lots of Indians
Ooh, Need, I need, I need, I need her
The grass has grown above her hair
The pretty patterned teddy bear
Aah, aah aah yeah yeah

Birds on the wing at the end of the day
The trees of green and brown you see
Have suddenly turned grey

1969 (J.Lynne) 3.47 


Worn Red Carpet

Walk up-on my worn red carpet
Bought cheap in an antique market

A winding path that stretches far
Further than the eye can see
Take the stroll to happiness
Joy and mystery

Walk up-on my worn red carpet
Bought cheap in an antique market

Pleasant times are there for you
Or anyone who follows me
A seek through world of silent sounds
Filled with ecstasy

Will the piper call the tune
You'll be back again so soon

Walk up-on my worn red carpet
Bought cheap in an antique market

Will the piper call the tune
You'll be back again so soon

Walk up-on my worn red carpet
Bought cheap in an antique market

Walk up-on my worn red carpet
Bought cheap in an antique market

1969 (D.Pritchard) 3.00 


In The Summertime
Parts of this pop classic (not!) may be wrong... Mungo Jerry has a lot to answer for!!!

In the Summer time when the weather is high
You can stretch right up and touch the sky
When the weather's fine
You got women, you got women on your mind
Have a drink, have a drive, go and see what you can find

If her daddy's rich, take her out for a meal
If her daddy's poor just do what you feel (!!!)

Swim along the lane, go to town on eternal twenty five
When the sun goes down, you can make it, make it good and really fine

With her bare feet, will her daddy we'll amaze
We love everybody, but we do as we please
When the weathers fine, we go fishing or go swimming in the sea
We're always happy, life's for living and that's our philosophy

Sing along with us
Dee'n, dee, dee, dee
Da'n, da, da, da
Yeah we're ha-ha-ppy
Dah, dah (etc. etc. etc!!!)

When the Winter's here, yeah it's party time
Bring your bottles wear your rattles it'll soon be Summertime
And we'll see again, we'll go driving or maybe we'll settle down
If she's free sure she's nice, bring your friends and we'll all go into town

Sing along with us
Dee'n, dee, dee, dee
Da'n, da, da, da
Yeah we're ha-ha-ppy
Dah, dah (etc. etc. etc!!!)

1970 (Dorset) 2.55 


Told You Twice

If I told you once, I told you twice
If I told you once, I told you twice
You gotta do just what I tell you
If you want to be my bride

If you want me 'round you must be nice
If you want me 'round you must be nice
You gotta do just what I want
If you want me by your side

Maybe you must pay my price
Baby you must pay the price
You gotta be, be there when I need you
And I be satisfied

If I told you once, I told you twice
If I told you once, I told you twice
You gotta do just what I tell you
And I be satisfied
Da, da, da (etc.)

1970 (D.Pritchard) 3.35 


Neanderthal Man
Uggghhhh!

I'm a Neanderthal Man, You're a Neanderthal girl
Let's make Neanderthal love, in this Neanderthal world
(Repeat a million times BC!!!!)

1970 (Godley/Creme/Stewart pre 10cc) 3.53 


Victim Of Circumstance

You made me pay for something you didn't do
You might pay the price for someone who looks like you
It happens at some time or other
You could be a victim of a circumstance

Cross the road when someone shouts out "Hello Joe"
You look around but see a face that you don't know
It happens at some time or other
You could be a victim of a circumstance

You thought that you were the only one
That you were unique in your ways
Once you were one but you realize there could be two
It happens at some time or other
You could be a victim of a circumstance

Pass the road when someone shouts out "Hello Joe"
You look around but see a face that you don't know
It happens at some time or other
You could be a victim of a circumstance

Ah, it could happen at some time or other
You could be a victim of a circumstance
Ah, it could happen at some time or other
You could be a victim of a circumstance

1970 (D.Pritchard) 3.32 


Lucky Man (alternative version)

I'm very lucky I think you'll agree

I've lost the key to my front door
I can't get in there anymore, oh my
I've lost the key to my love's heart
It's down the drain and in the dark, oh my

I'm very lucky I think you'll agree

As I was riding home from work
I saw a robber steal a shirt, oh my
I shouted "Oi!" and yelled "Stop! Thief!"
The policeman booked me for disturbing the peace, oh my

I'm very lucky I think you'll agree

As I was swimming in the sea
I came across a bomb or three, oh my
I took them to the coast guard man
He said "Hurry up and get that...", oh my

I'm very lucky I think you'll agree

I've lost the key to my front door
I can't get in there anymore, oh my
I've lost the key to my love's heart
It's down the drain and in the dark, oh my

I'm very lucky I think you'll agree...

1968 (J.Lynne) 2.35 


Follow Me Follow (alternative version)

See how they go on the wings of a shining bird
And the reason for them leaving is not easy

Follow me follow
Follow me too far away
Follow me follow
Where you will go

See how they go on the wings of a shining bird
And the reason for them leaving is not easy

Follow me follow
Follow me too far away
Follow me follow
Where you will go

(Repeat)

1968 (J.Lynne) 1.53 


Days Of The Broken Arrows (alternative lyric version)

Birds on the wing at the end of the day
The trees of green and brown you see
Have suddenly turned grey

Don't be too sad when you're waiting for death
The message on the garden wall says
Mickey Mouse is bad

Ooh, Need, I need, I need, I need her
The broken arrows in the door, there's lots of Indians
Ooh, Need, I need, I need, I need her
The grass that grows above her hair
The pretty patterned teddy bear
Aah, aah aah yeah yeah

Her baby cries in the heat of the night
Footsteps up the stairs her mother's there to hold her tight

Happy young child and his dog running wild
Spring is in the air and they've been running for a mile

There goes that little girl again
The years have passed but all in vain
The birds have fallen from the trees
And it is told in these old memories

O' What of the old man who stand there so still
A Looking at the stars you're bringing to your window sill

Where is old Betty now? Woman who scrub
Perhaps she passed away she's very old but very good

Ooh, Need, I need, I need, I need her
The broken arrows in the door; there's lots of Indians
Ooh, Need, I need, I need, I need her
The grass that grows above her hair
The pretty patterned teddy bear
Aah, aah aah yeah yeah

Why did this happen, where did I do wrong?
I know that now I'm home I'm not too young and then I'm gone

Birds on the wing at the end of the day
The trees of green and brown you see
Have suddenly turned grey
 
1969 (J.Lynne) 3.39


See also lyrics for... The Birthday Party Idle Race Time Is

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