electronic :: songs :: imitation of life

(marr, sumner, bartos)

inside my imagination
there is an imitation of life
you captured me for an instant
still in your camera, emptied of light

the head of a hungry pack of hounds will track me down

say it’s not over, let’s say a prayer
let’s turn it over, show that we care
walk in the desert, lie in the shade
we’ll be together, don’t be afraid

say it’s not over

i’ll move to the other side of town
i’ll lead you to the underground
we’ll live within our hollow space
we’re in a dream we both embrace

and if tomorrow is undone you’ll never hear me

say it’s not over, let’s say a prayer
let’s turn it over, show that we care
walk in the desert, lie in the shade
we’ll be together, don’t be afraid

say it’s not over, say it’s not over
say it’s not over, say it’s not over

inside my imagination
there is an imitation of life
you captured me for an instant
still in your camera, emptied of light

the head of a hungry pack of hounds will track me down

say it’s not over, let’s say a prayer
let’s turn it over, show that we care
walk in the desert, lie in the shade
we’ll be together, don’t be afraid

say it’s not over

single version—5:56
new edit—3:46

forbidden city
get the message: the best of

according to karlbartos.com, an early version of imitation of life was played live by elektric music as ‘bombast’ in 1994. apparently it was intended for their second album, and probably predated his involvement with marr and sumner. pounding synth sirens alert the listener to a pulverizing rhythm of strings and sound effects, all underpinned by ged lynch’s percussive crunch—people who bought the forbidden city single must have felt overwhelmed by optimism after hearing this. it’s like joyriding through empty streets in an ambulance.