[Intro – sharp, twanging baritone guitar riff; dry drums snap into a crooked groove, growling bass clarinet answers with a sly three-note phrase] [Verse 1 – female lead, husky and expressive, wry conversational phrasing] I found a picture from that summer You said was heaven on a plate Funny, I remember thunder And a holiday we learned to hate You put sunshine in the windows Where the rain came pouring through And somehow all the worst of it Looks wonderful to you [Pre-Chorus – clipped brass accents, bass climbs, vocal grows more pointed] You keep polishing the evidence Till everything looks fine But I was there, remember? And that wasn't quite my life! [Chorus – huge melodic hook, punchy live drums, twanging guitar and brass replies] YOU BEAUTIFUL LIAR! YOU MAKE THE ASHES LOOK LIKE FIRE! PUT A HALO ON THE BAD OLD DAYS AND PAINT THE TROUBLE GOLD YOU BEAUTIFUL LIAR! YOU KEEP REWRITING MY DESIRE! I WAS THERE, I KNOW THE STORY AND IT'S NOT THE ONE YOU TOLD! [Post-Chorus – baritone guitar and bass clarinet trade the main riff; sharp rhythmic stops] [Verse 2 – playful irritation, tight bass groove] You say we danced through every Friday Like the world was ours to keep Funny how you missed the shouting And the nights we couldn't sleep You remember perfect endings And a soundtrack full of stars I remember missing buses And a car that wouldn't start [Pre-Chorus – offbeat organ stabs, rhythmic stop-start accents] You're a master of illusion With a very charming smile But if you're selling me the good old days I'll need to see the file! [Chorus – powerful female lead, infectious harmonies and brass] YOU BEAUTIFUL LIAR! YOU MAKE THE ASHES LOOK LIKE FIRE! PUT A HALO ON THE BAD OLD DAYS AND PAINT THE TROUBLE GOLD YOU BEAUTIFUL LIAR! YOU KEEP REWRITING MY DESIRE! I WAS THERE, I KNOW THE STORY AND IT'S NOT THE ONE YOU TOLD! [Instrumental Break – explosive baritone guitar riff, growling bass clarinet solo, vintage organ stabs, crisp breakbeat drums; the opening riff returns with altered notes and darker harmony] [Bridge – stripped-back drums and bass, female vocal dry and almost amused] Oh, nostalgia, you slippery little thing You can make a broken bell sound like it rings And I'll admit you've got a gift For making yesterday look grand But don't go changing all the facts When I was there firsthand [Build – bass clarinet climbs, drums tumble, guitar riff grows louder] [Final Chorus – full band, powerful female vocal with gritty melodic lift] YOU BEAUTIFUL LIAR! YOU MAKE THE ASHES LOOK LIKE FIRE! PUT A HALO ON THE BAD OLD DAYS AND PAINT THE TROUBLE GOLD YOU BEAUTIFUL LIAR! YOU KEEP REWRITING MY DESIRE! I WAS THERE, I KNOW THE STORY AND IT'S NOT THE ONE YOU TOLD! [Outro – guitar and bass clarinet play the opening riff, now slightly altered; band stops dead] [Female vocal – dry, sung with a knowing smile] Nice try.
