Alan PARSONS


Try Anything Once

(1993)



1. The Three Of Me 5'52
(David Pack / Andrew Powell)
Vocals: David Pack
2. Turn It Up 6'13
(Ian Bairnson)
Vocals: Chris Thompson
3. Wine From The Water 5'44
(Alan Parsons / Ian Bairnson / Ian Bairnson)
Vocals: Eric Stewart
4. Breakaway 4'07
(Alan Parsons)
5. Mr. Time 8'18
(Stuart Elliot / Jaqui Copland / Driscoll)
Vocals: Jaqui Copland
6. Jigue 3'24
(Alan Parsons / Andrew Powell)
7. I'm Talkin' To You 4'38
(Andrew Powell / David Pack)
Vocals: David Pack
8. Siren Song 5'02
(Ian Bairnson / Musker)
Vocals: Eric Stewart
9. Dreamscape 3'01
(Alan Parsons)
Vocals: David Pack
10. Back Against The Wall 4'38
(Ian Bairnson)
Vocals: Chris Thompson
11. Re-Jigue 2'29
(Alan Parsons / Andrew Powell)
12. Oh Life (There Must Be More) 6'33
(David Pack / Alan Parsons)
Vocals: David Pack

Total Time: 59:59


  • Alan Parsons - Synths (2, 4, 6, 11, 12), Acoustic Guitars (5, 7), Bass (3), Flute (12), Backing Vocals (2, 3)
  • Ian Bairnson - Guitar (1-6, 8, 10, 11), Synths (2, 5, 10), Bass (2, 4, 8, 10), Harmony Guitars (7), Pedal Steel Guitar (8), Backing Vocals (2, 3)
  • Jeremy Parsons - Guitars (7)
  • Richard Cottle - Synths (1-5, 7-10), Sax (4, 6, 11)
  • David Pack - Synths (12), Guitars (7, 12), Vocals (1, 7, 9, 12)
  • Andrew Powell - Bass (1, 6, 7, 11), Synths (1, 6, 7, 11), Electric Piano (3), Autoharp (4), Piano (5, 12)
  • Graham Preskett - Violins (1), Fiddle (6, 11), Mandolin (6, 11)
  • Stuart Elliott - Drums (1-8, 10, 12), Synths (5)
  • Chris Thompson - Vocals (2, 10)
  • Eric Stewart - Vocals (3, 8)
  • Jaqui Copland - Vocals (5), Backing Vocals (2, 10)
  • The PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA (Christopher Warren-Green - Leader)

    Produced and Engineered by Alan Parsons
    Simon Heyworth - Mastering
    Andy Strange - Assistant Engineer
    Rupert Coulson - Assistant Engineer
    Storm Thorgerson - Design
    Peter Curzon - Design
    Tony May - Photography
    Rupert Truman - Photography

    Recorded between October 1992 and August 1993



    1. Three Of Me

      There's a voice on the phone
      Who just called in to say
      "Mr. Jones isn't home
      He'll be gone for the day"

      So he pulls down the blind
      To adjust his disguise
      But it's all in his mind
      Which he proudly denies

      I turn the boat back from the weir
      Where to go from here
      I can't hide from each face I see
      Looking out from behind them is me

      I'm attempting to guess
      What they meant when they said
      "Mr. Jones and his guest
      Won't be using the bed"

      So if I take the rap
      While they stay out of sight
      I can spring from the trap
      When the timing is right

      One minute I think I know what I mean
      The next I hear voices inside disagree
      Why are they laughing at me?

      So I pick up the phone
      Someone's asking of me
      Is the real Mister Jones
      Mister One, Two or Three?

      So I say that they're not
      But it's not as I say
      'Cos they're all that I've got
      And I can't get away

      As Alice waves us through the glass
      Are we home at last
      For tomorrow they'll be here you see
      Locked away safe inside there with me

      'Cos tomorrow they'll be here you'll see
      Locked away safe inside they're with me

      One minute I think I know what I mean
      The next I hear voices inside disagree
      Why are they laughing at me ?

    2. Turn It Up

      It's no good believing in somebody else
      If you can't believe in yourself
      You give them the reason to take all the power and wealth
      It's no good you trying to sit on the fence
      And hope that the trouble will pass
      'Cause sitting on fenses can make you a pain in the ass

      If there's something you find to believe in
      Then the message must get through
      So don't just sit in silence
      When you know what to do

      Turn it up. Turn it up, make it louder
      Turn it up. Turn it up, make it louder

      There's no conversation if nobody speaks
      And nothing gets done in the end
      There's no confrontation when fantasy makes you its friend
      So much injustice, too many lies
      We don't have to look very far
      But nothing will change if we leave things the way that they are

      If there's something you find to believe in
      Then the message must get through
      So don't just sit in silence
      When you know what to do

      Turn it up. Turn it up, make it louder
      Turn it up. Turn it up, make it louder

    3. Wine From The Water

      You can take me up, you can wind me down
      There's no escape, but I'll never drown
      No wires or strings, No rough and smooth
      Just fire and stings, Watch me closely, Watch my every move

      I can count your money while I check your hand
      And you know I just can't lose

      Wine from the water, Gold from a tree
      I wouldn't fool you, There's nothing up my sleeve
      Look for a mirror, There's nothing there
      I get rings out of nowhere, Money from thin air

      I can break these chains, While I'm upside down
      Well it may seem strange, I don't hit the ground
      Now you see my hand, Is quicker than your eye
      You should know by now, What you see here, all of it's a lie

      I can count your money while I check your hand
      And you know I just can't lose

      Wine from the water, Gold from a tree
      I wouldn't fool you, There's nothing up my sleeve
      Think of a number, I'll get it right
      Throw me in the river, Tie my hands up tight

      I can wind you up, I can turn you round
      No cunning stunts, till the lady's found
      No coils or springs, Just nice and smooth
      No Knaves or Kings, Find the lady, Watch my every move

      I can count your money while I check your hand
      And you know I just can't lose

      Wine from the water, Gold from a tree
      I wouldn't fool you, There's nothing up my sleeve
      Look for a mirror, No, nothing there
      I get rings out of nowhere, Money from thin air

      Wine from the water, Gold from a tree
      Now I wouldn't fool you, There's nothing up my sleeve
      Think of a number, I'll get it right
      You can throw me in the river, Tie my hands up tight

      Wine from the water, Gold from a tree
      Now I wouldn't fool you, There's nothing up my sleeve
      Look for a mirror, There's nothing there
      I get rings out of nowhere, Money from thin air

    4. Breakaway

      ( instrumental )

    5. Mr. Time

      Stealing a moment from Mr. Time
      He rocks in his chair like a shiny dime
      But it's all for show, all for show.
      Wearing your name and a number or two
      When the minute's up, so are you
      But everybody knows, everybody knows.

      Watching the hour from the light in his eyes,
      He waits for your soul to come in from the sky
      But it's lost below, lost below.
      Turning the Wheel of your destiny round,
      When the motion stops - no more sound,
      Does anybody care, anybody care.

      Where's the man, where's the child
      Wrapped together side by side.
      Who can tell you what to do,
      When Mr. Time has come for you.
      See the truth, hear the lies,
      Can there be no compromise
      And who can tell you what they knew,
      When Mr. Time has come for you.

      Is it a feeling of deja vu?
      When he points his finger calling you
      Is it illusion? Just an illusion
      Picking up seconds that fall to his feet
      He blows them away as rocks on his seat,
      Cool as his smile, his smile.

      Where's the man, where's the child
      Wrapped together side by side.
      Who can tell you what to do,
      When Mr. Time has come for you
      See the truth, hear the lies,
      Can there be no compromise
      And who can tell you what they knew,
      When Mr. Time has come for you.

    6. Jigue

      ( instrumental )

    7. I'm Talkin' To You

      Somehow you fell out of time
      Boy you lost your place in line
      But don't even try
      To drag me down too
      I'm talkin' to you, I'm talkin' to you

      One star rises, one falls from the sky
      You're still hiding the way you feel inside
      One word closer to things we need to say
      One cut deeper to tear the past away

      You think I don't know your mind
      But I know fools don't change with time
      Until the warning signs
      Come out of the blue
      I'm talkin' to you, I'm talkin' to you

      One light's burning - another fades away
      Don't stand watching your dream go down in flames
      One step closer, the door is open wide
      Come tomorrow we'll see the other side

      On and on until we change
      Everything remains the same
      On and on until we learn
      On and on the wheels will turn...

      Wounded words and eyes that lie
      You won't let your demons die
      Take a look inside
      Or you're gonna lose
      I'm talkin' to you, I'm talkin' to you

      I'm talkin' to you
      Whatever you do, the last laugh's on you

      On and on until we change
      Everything remains the same
      On and on until we learn
      On and on the wheels will turn ...

      Somehow you fell out of time
      Boy you lost your place in line ...
      One star rises one star falls
      Do you even care at all ? ... this time

      I'm talkin' to you
      I'm talkin' to you

    8. Siren Song

      Days go by
      Adrift upon a rolling sky
      The miracles escape my eyes
      But I still hope

      Time, regret
      Is this as good as life can get?
      It's only when the spirit sets me free I cope

      If I seek in every corner
      If I search in every doorway
      When the water turns to wine will I believe?
      If I navigate the river
      Would you take me to your island?
      Sing a Siren song so I can never leave

      Long and wide
      Eternity from side to side
      Lead me through the rapids
      Guide me to the shore

      There's a place
      That's far beyond this time and space
      When each of us comes face to face with something more

      If I open up the channel
      Will you send me information
      If you tune me to your station, I'll receive
      If I navigate the river
      Would you take me to your island
      Sing a Siren song so I can never leave

      Plans can fail
      But only fail to understand
      The Pyramid will turn to sand and I'll be here
      ... I will be here

    9. Dreamscape

      ( instrumental )

    10. Back Against The Wall

      Stand up, and with your hand on the Bible
      Tell the truth to one and all
      'Cause you know that feeling
      When you've got your back against the wall.

      My God, it's only Tuesday tomorrow
      And "Loved One's" gone and blown it all
      Now you've got no money and you feel your back against the wall.

      Well, if you talk to your brothers and they don't give a damn
      And you look like you're gonna fall
      You can call my number when you feel your back against the wall.

      Some Tripper's got you right in a corner
      And you feel you're gonna lose it all
      Now you don't want trouble but you feel your back's against the wall.

      So the guy moves forward but you hold him away
      Shit there's no one there to hear you call
      So you take your chances and you push him back against the wall.

      Now the guy's in the gutter and you don't give a damn
      And he looks kind of weak and small
      'Cause you called his number when you felt your back against the wall.

      Stand up, and with your hand on the Bible
      Tell the truth to one and all
      'Cause you know that feeling
      When you've got your back against the wall.

      Well, if you talk to your brothers and they don't give a damn
      And you look like you're gonna fall
      You can call my number when you feel your back against the wall.

    11. Re-Jigue

      ( instrumental )

    12. Oh Life (There Must Be More)

      Waves roll out
      Out to sea
      Tasting the saltwater
      Tears upon her cheek

      Morning breaks
      She's not there
      Who could ever find her?
      Who would even care?

      No one heard
      No one came
      No angel of mercy
      Appears to know her name

      Where is hope
      When words fail
      All the colours running
      Inside when life turns pale

      In the dock the boats are harboured
      Where the water's cold and still
      Oh life, she cries, I've lost the will

      From the bridge she sees a lifetime
      Being washed upon the shore
      Oh life, she cries
      There must be more...

      Tides roll in
      Waters rise
      Any chance of reason
      Only clouds her eyes

      Arms of grace
      She won't feel
      All the wounds inside her
      That time can never heal

      The city lights shine seaward
      Swirling in a trance
      Her eyes upon the water
      Alone in her last dance

      >From the docks the boats are leaving
      As she cries into the dawn
      "Oh life, I'm barely holding on"

      And she sees her future falling
      Til it finds the ocean floor
      Oh life, she cries
      There must be more

      There must be more

      And with the early light
      She'll sail into the clear
      The winds are all behind her
      The hour's almost here

      From the bridge she hears the voices
      Turn into a roar
      Oh life she cries
      There must be more

      On the dock her soul is sinking
      But her spirit longs to soar
      Oh life, she cries
      There must be more

      There must be more
      There must be more
      Oh life I'm barely holding on

      There must be more
      There must be more
      Oh life there must be something more