Building Rome

Release date: August 26, 2005

About the album:
I wrote most of these songs during high school and my first year of college and recorded it by myself in 9 months with the help of a few studio musicians. Most of the songs are about girls… and I think they were all about different girls…

Jon’s Fun Facts:

• I lost about 30 pounds during this recording process due to obsessing and not eating.
• Yes, the cough on “Fireworks” is real. I have extremely bad allergies and asthma, and I was sick a lot while recording this CD. I left it in because it encapsulated my experience.
• Fireworks is a continuation of “Miss You More”
• There is a hidden song!!
• I wrote Belly Dancer Girl while vacationing in Mexico.
• Lewis and Clark was written for a class project my senior year of high school. I got a B.

Tracklisting:

If You Piss Me Off I’ll Write A Song About You  Lewis and Clark  Waste Away  Miss You More  I Know You Slept With Michael Jackson  Playing In Your Head  Would You Be Mad At Me?  One In A Million  Belly Dancer Girl  Angel  Hey Baby  Sorry I Wished  Urban Life Decay  Fireworks  Ode to the Sad (hidden track)

If You Piss Me Off, I’ll Write A Song About You

Building Rome
Lyrics: Jon Heisserer

(It’s recording from the beginning, right?…Ok)

I know you think it’s a joke
But it’s funny ‘cuz no one’s laughing
And you think you’re so great
You never were and never will be

I can tell you one thing
You’re scared and you’re all alone
Spare me the apologies
You’ll never know what it’s like to shine

Contradictions filled with lies

And your ignorance is your bliss
It’s not right and this is the last time
We’ll ever bet on shit

You think you’re so perfect
Without reason or rhyme
You’ll never amount to anything
Anything at all

Now we’re back to where we started
Just like that time before
Did you really think you had us all along?
Soon enough, you’ll be forgotten
This life is nothing with your lies

(Go!)

So help me understand your message
Help me understand your pride
K C U F U O Y
Does it help you understand mine?

You think you’re so perfect
Without logic or light
Can’t you see that everything
Was anything at all?

Now we’re back to where we started
Just like that time before
Did you really think you had us all along?
Soon enough, you’ll be forgotten
This life is nothing with your lies

Oh ohh
Oh ohhh

You think you’re so happy (Think you’re so happy)
At least in your own mind (At least in your own mind)
I’m never happy (I’m never happy)
I’m happy all the time (Happy all the time)
I’m happy all the time
You’re happy all the time

Now we’re back to where we started
Just like that time before
You know I really think I had you all along
Soon enough, you’ll be forgotten
This life is nothing with your lies

Now we’re back to where we started
Just like that time before
You know I really think I had you all along
Soon enough, you’ll be forgotten
This life is nothing with your…
Soon enough, you’ll break my silence
This life is nothing with your lies…
(Sack of shit) Your lies
(Sack of shit) Your lies

Lewis and Clark

Building Rome
Lyrics: Jon Heisserer

(Police sirens)

Lewis and Clark were great explorers
Gettin’ real drunk and gettin’ on the whores
Lewis and Clark had all the alcohol
Flowed from their hands like a waterfall

Chorus:
And if you see that American girl (that stupid girl)
Tell her that Guillermo (William in Spanish) is on her tail (He’s on your tail)
Cuz he’s been waiting for that dance (for that dance)
For you to call and he’s not that bad (He’s not bad)
He wants some booty tonight
He wants some booty tonight

Lewis and Clark were great explorers
Gettin’ real drunk and gettin’ on the whores
Lewis and Clark were just like you and me
Fucked up real bad to epitome

Chorus
And if you see that American girl (that stupid girl)
Tell her that Guillermo (William in Spanish) is on her tail (He’s on your tail)
Cuz he’s been waiting for that dance (for that dance)
For you to call and he’s not that bad (He’s not bad)
He wants some booty tonight
He wants some booty tonight

And now she’s gone
And now she’s gone

Let’s go!

Now that you’ve seen that American (that stupid girl)
Tell her that Guiermo is off her tail
No longer waiting for that dance (for that dance)
He found another to take his hand
He got some booty tonight
He got some booty tonight

Waste Away

Building Rome
Lyrics: Jon Heisserer

Falling away, I’ve got too far
Breaking it off, it’s not that hard
Maybe the sun will shine today
Maybe your stars will turn from gray

It’s not too late now
To find a way out
Broken, you’re burnt out
I’ll waste away, hey hey hey

Chorus:
Burn and burn
Learn and learn
See and breathe
Fall and Learn
I’ll waste away
I’ll waste away

It’s all the same now
It’s time to break down
Broken, you’re burnt out

Chorus (x2)

Maybe the sun will shine today
Maybe your stars will turn from gray
I’ll waste away
I’ll waste away (I’ll waste away)

Chorus (x2)

I’m for giving up I’ve gotta waste away (I’ll waste away)
I’m breakin free from your ball and chain (I’ll waste away)
I’m for giving up I’ve gotta waste away (I’ll waste away)
Waste away

Miss You More

Building Rome
Lyrics: Jon Heisserer

(Hey)

So here we are
Let’s go back to the start
I’ll meet you there
I know you’re leaving me here

You’re leaving me here
You’re leaving me

Here’s goodbye into the night
We’ll take a bow ‘cause we need this now
‘Cause I need this now
And you wished aloud to stay

So don’t be afraid
You know it’s got to be this way
You said that before
I swear I’ll miss you more

I’ll miss you more
I’ll miss you from

Here’s goodbye into the night
We’ll send this prayer and I’ll meet you there
You didn’t have to go
You didn’t have to go away

Now you’re away
Every day
Every day

Here’s goodbye into the night
We’ll send this prayer and I’ll meet you there
You didn’t have to go
You didn’t have to go
You didn’t have to go
You didn’t have to go

I’ll miss you more
I’ll miss you more
I’ll miss you more

I Know You Slept With Michael Jackson

Building Rome
Lyrics: Jon Heisserer

She doesn’t even care
She doesn’t even care, anymore, anymore
She’s laughing like a whore
She’s holding on some more
Like a whore, like a whore

She was just a dream the dog is soon to be
A distant memory and a lesson lent to me
She’s laughing at the painting with the allergenic tree
She wishes there was something, but she swears it wasn’t me
But it was me, it was me
Hey hey hey hey

Can’t see her face no more
Can’t see her face no more
It’s of a whore, it’s of a whore
I know you wish sometimes
You wish that you were mine
Nevermore, never more

She was just a dream the dog is soon to be
A distant memory and a lesson lent to me
She’s laughing at the painting with the allergenic tree
She wishes there was something, but she swears it wasn’t me
It wasn’t me, it wasn’t me, it wasn’t me, it wasn’t me, it wasn’t…

I know it was you
I know it was you

She was just a dream
She was just a dream
She was just a dream
She was just a dream

She was just a dream the dog is soon to be
A distant memory and a lesson lent to me
She’s laughing at the painting with the allergenic tree
She wishes there was something, but she swears it wasn’t me
But it was me, it was me

She doesn’t even care
She doesn’t even care

Playing In Your Head

Building Rome
Lyrics: Jon Heisserer

Since you put me down
I haven’t done anything at all
Since you put me down
I haven’t called anyone at all

But soon, you’ll wake up by yourself
And realize that I am nowhere to be found
In all the songs that used to make you short of breath
Will all come running back
Yeah, they’ll all come running back

Since you put me down
I think I finally found the way
Since you let me go
I finally found the words to say, to say

But soon, you’ll wake up by yourself
And realize that I am nowhere to be found
In all the songs that used to make you short of breath
Will all come running back, back
Back, will all come running back
Playing in your head
And when he breaks your heart, don’t think of me
Or what will never be, ‘cuz I’ll move on
I’ll move on
I’ll be gone
Yeah, I’ll be gone

Soon you’ll wake up by yourself
And realize that I am nowhere to be found
In all the songs that used to make you short of breath
Will all come running back

Then I’ll wake up on my own
And finally see that you’re just a picture on the wall
I’ll tear it down, you’ll come around
I’m lost, but found
These melodies are…

Back
All coming running back
Playing in your head
But when you break his heart don’t think of me
What will never be ‘cuz I’ll move on
I’ll move on
I’ll be gone (x5)

Would You Be Mad At Me?

Building Rome
Lyrics: Jon Heisserer

Girl: I like boys that play guitar and I like boys that can sing and I totally like bands.
Jonny: Well, hey, I’m in a band.
Girl: Jonny, why don’t you play a song for me?

Would you be mad at me
If I wrote a song about your friend?
Would you be mad at me?
Yes, I know she won’t be here in the morning
(What?)

And now she’s leaving
Because she’s going home
Now she’s flying home to Vegas (Oo Vegas)
It’s cold and rainy the whole way (Rainy the whole way)
She won’t be coming back for Christmas (Presents for Christmas)
She won’t be coming back to stay
She ain’t ever coming back
Why can’t she ever just come back?

Would you be mad at me
If I wrote a song about your friend?
Would you be mad at me?
Yes, I know she said she hates you with good reason
(I don’t get it)
And now she’s leaving, oh whoa
Because she’s going home

Now she’s flying home to Vegas (Oo Vegas)
It’s cold and rainy the whole way (Rainy the whole way)
She won’t be coming back for Christmas (Presents for Christmas)
She won’t be coming back to stay
She ain’t ever coming back
Why can’t she ever just come back?

(And I like boys with long hair and boys that, like, can sing, like songs
and boys that write songs and, you know, I think I just like boys. Boys are so cute
I like cute boys and oh, and I totally like music too. So, are you in a band?)

Now she’s flying home to Vegas
It’s cold and rainy the whole way
I hear she’s coming back for Christmas
I hear she’s coming back to stay

And now she’s crying for no reason
She never knew it’d be this way
She swears she’s coming back for Christmas (Presents for Christmas)
She swears she’s coming back to stay
But she ain’t ever coming back (So, are you gonna call me?)
Why can’t she ever just come back? (Why don’t you ever call me?)
I promise this time that we’ll last (Wait, where are you going?)
I’m sorry that I am an ass
(Jonny, who is that girl? Hey, where are you going? Alright, call me!)

One in a Million

Building Rome
Lyrics: Jon Heisserer

You knocked on my door, but no one was there
Who’d have thought?
Whoa whoa ohhh
I know it’s kinda late, but I shoulder all the blame
So don’t give up
Whoa whoa ohh

I know you’re out there
I know you’re out there somewhere

One in a million
A million in one
I’ll take what I can get if I can get what I want

These rainy days, they’re soaked inside my head without a clue
Whoa whoa oh ohh
If you knock again, just let me know
You’ll let me know, just when
whoa whoa oh ohh

Maybe this means I give in
No one wants to wait forever
If you want I’ll stand up
If you want, I’ll sing to you

One in a million
A million in one
I’ll take what I can get if I can get what I want
A diamond a postcard
A star worth waiting for
I’ll see you when you come around
When you’re knocking on my door

Whoa whoaa whoaaaa
Whoa whoaa whoa whoa
Whoa whoaa whoaa whoa

One in a millon
A million in one
I’ll take what I can get if I can get what I want

A diamond a postcard
A star worth waiting for
I’ll see you when you come around
Just walk right in the door
I’ll see you when you come around
Just walk right in the door

Whoa whoaa whoaaa
Yea, walk right in the door
Whooa whoaa whoaa
Yea, walk right in the door
Whoa whoaa whoaa
Yea, walk right in the door

Belly Dancer Girl

Building Rome
Lyrics: Jon Heisserer

I want a million dollars so I can be really rich
I’ll move to the Bahamas
Get me a Belly Dancer bitch
She’ll be the greatest girlfriend
And then she’ll suck my toes are really dirty
Oh, cuz they’re stuck in her

Belly dancer girl
Tell me what is up with you, dancing with the lesbians tonight
Belly Dancer girl
I’m think I’m going crazy now, so tell me everything is alright

1, 2, 3, 4

Now that I’m a millionaire
I’ll get this stupid little hat
Run around with a chimpanzee on ecstasy
With a hairy little ask her if she’d dance with me
Oh I’m attracted to her

Belly dancer girl
Tell me what is up with you dancing with the lesbians tonight
Belly Dancer girl I think I’m going crazy now so tell me everything is alright

(So anyway, I went over to Ma’s house and she was like “What fuck?”, and I was like, “What the fuck” and she was like “Whatever,” and I was like “Whatever,” and dad was like “Whatever,” and I was like “Whatever,” and she was like “Fuck you” and I was like “Whatever,” she was like “Whatever” and she was like…BOOOM!)

Belly dancer girl
Tell me what is up with you, dancing with the lesbians tonight
Belly dancer girl
I think I’m going crazy now, so tell me everything is alright

Belly dancer girl
Tell me what is up with you dancing with the lesbians tonight
Belly Dancer girl
I think I’m going crazy now, so tell me everything is alright

I want a million dollars so I can be really rich
I’ll move to the Bahamas
Get me a belly dancer bitch
She’ll be the greatest girlfriend
And then she’ll suck my toes are really dirty
Cause they’re stuck in her belly dancer girl
(I think you smell like crap)
Belly dancer girl
(Please give me back my hat)
Belly dancer girl
I hate you now

Angel

Building Rome
Lyrics: Jon Heisserer

Went to a party
I found this Amber
It’s broken glass now
And I still care

I’ve got this something
I know it’s nothing
But it’s still something
When you’re not here
And I’m still here

Angel
Angel I’m sorry
Angel
Angel I miss you

I found another
Short of one other
But like no other
When you’re not here

You got this something
You say it’s nothing
But you know that’s something
When you’re not here
And I’m still here

Angel
Angel I’m sorry
Angel
Angel I miss you

And maybe when you’re gone
You will finally see
That one day I will be
More than what you think
So tell me you’re ok
‘Cause I know I’ll be fine

Angel
Angel I’m sorry
Angel
Angel I miss you

Went to a party
I found this Amber
It’s broken glass now
‘Cause you’re not here
And I’m still here

Hey Baby

Building Rome
Lyrics: Jon Heisserer

Hey baby are you gonna take it out on yourself?
Pretty lady are you gonna break down go and cry?
Just maybe, maybe everything’s gonna be alright
Hey baby hey hey

Hey baby are you gonna let the blook soak your hands?
Pretty lady can’t you see that everything is not ok?
Just maybe stupid honey baby give it up today
Hey baby hey hey

You’re just one step away
From this one thing to say
Hey hey

Hey baby are you gonna take it out on your self?
Pretty lady are you gonna break down? Just don’t cry.
Just maybe maybe everything’s gonna be alright.
Hey baby
Hey hey

You’re just one step away
From this one thing to say
Hey hey

You’ve got just what you wanted
but was it what you needed?

Don’t take it out on yourself
Just think it out for yourself

Sorry I Wished

Building Rome
Lyrics: Jon Heisserer

Sorry about the things I said
I’m sorry about the things I did
I’m sorry I laughed I’m sorry you cried
I’m sorry I couldn’t make it right

I wish I would think before I speak
I wish I could laugh or rather weep
I wish I could run to where I could see
I wish it was all better I wish to be

I’m sorry I fell I’m sorry I tried
I’m sorry I wished I wished all night
I’m sorry I breathe I saw you choke up
I’m sorry I can I can’t grow up

I’m sorry I love the love that you hate
I’m sorry I can I cannot wait

Urban Life Decay

Building Rome
Lyrics: Jon Heisserer

So here’s an apathetic fool
Another useless social tool
But you can go away-hey
And cancel out another day

Brain cells come few and far between
It’s not just what you thought you’ve seen
Step back before I say
1,2,3,4

So you’ll take another break now
But you can’t remember how
but you can go away-hey
and cancel out another day

Brain cells come few and far between
It’s not just what you thought you’ve seen
Step back before I say
1,2,3,4

You go away
Cancels out the day

Fireworks

Building Rome
Lyrics: Jon Heisserer

In all our time, I’ll remember this night
Under the light and into your eyes

No it’s not a means for the end
No it’s not a means for the end

And there’s a whisper in the air
It’s faint but it’s coming in quite clear

And we can sit and watch the sky
On this star lit last night
But we know
That I can’t be here for tomorrow
For tomorrow

No it’s not a means for the end
No it’s not a means for the end

It’s been so long since we’ve been here
Under the bridge my greatest fear

And we can sit and watch the sky
On this star lit last night
But we know
That I can’t be here for tomorrow
For tomorrow

We could face the day
Or we could run away
And deny the pain tomorrow brings
And wish this night forever so
We could stay right here forever
In our minds

In all our time I’ll remember this night
Under the stars and into your heart

And we can sit and watch the sky
On this star lit last night
But we know that I can’t be here for tomorrow
For tomorrow

And we can lay and watch the lights
On this fourth of July
But we know that I won’t be here for tomorrow
For tomorrow
I’ll miss you tomorrow
I’ll miss you tomorrow