Aimee Mann

Aimee Mann (born September 8, 1960) is an American rock guitarist, bassist, singer, and songwriter, who became famous as the songwriter and vocalist for the new wave band 'Til Tuesday. She began her solo career in the early 1990s and won further acclaim through her work on original songs for the soundtrack to the film Magnolia. She is currently collaborating and touring with Ted Leo in their joint project The Both.

Voices Carry (1985)

 * With 'Til Tuesday




 * In the dark, I like to read his mind But I'm frightened of the things I might find.
 * "Voices Carry" · Official video · Live 1985 performance


 * When I tell him that Im falling in love Why does he say "Hush, hush, keep it down now. Voices carry"?
 * "Voices Carry"


 * I try so hard not to get upset Because I know all the trouble Ill get Oh, he tells me tears are something to hide And something to fear And I try so hard to keep it inside So no one can hear.
 * "Voices Carry"


 * He wants me, but only part of the time. He wants me if he can keep me in line.
 * "Voices Carry"


 * I look in your eyes I realize what you've sold me is love in a vacuum. Love in a vacuum.
 * "Love In A Vacuum" · Official video

Welcome Home (1986)

 * With 'Til Tuesday


 * Living on silence, Living by the book. You get it to a science Of living on one good look. So put out all the fires And blow away the smoke. I'm getting pretty tired Of living on hope.
 * "What About Love"


 * Coming up close Everything sounds like welcome home. Come home and oh, by the way, Don't you know that I could make a dream that's barely half-awake come true? I wanted to say — but anything I could have said I felt somehow that you already knew.
 * "Coming up Close"

Everything's Different Now (1988)

 * With 'Til Tuesday


 * There's always something that's smoldering somewhere I know it don't make a difference to you But oh! It sure made a difference to me You'll see me off in the distance, I hope At the other end At the other end of the telescope.
 * "The Other End (of the Telescope)" (co-written with Elvis Costello)

Whatever (1993)

 * I should've known It was coming down to this. I should've known You would betray me but without the kiss. I should've known The kind of set-up it is.
 * "I Should've Known"

I'm with Stupid (1995)
It's pretty clear you'll be asked to choose between What you lack and what you excuse''' In this tug of war You can't say that they didn't warn you Though you'd rather that they just ignore you Cause your devices are not working for you anymore What you want, you don't know You're with stupid now
 * '''I don't know how to break the news, but
 * "You're With Stupid Now" · 2008 performance

The speeches and the mistakes they're making As they struggle with the undertaking Of simple thought What you want, you don't know You're with stupid now '''What you know, you don't want to know You're with stupid now.'''
 * Though you pay for the hands they're shaking
 * "You're With Stupid Now"


 * In our endeavor we are never seeing eye to eye; No guts to sever so forever may we wave goodbye. And you're always telling me that it's my turn to move, When I wonder what could make the needle jump the groove. I won't fall for the oldest trick in the book, So don't sit there and think you're off of the hook. By saying there is no use changing 'cause That's just what you are. That's just what you are.
 * "That's Just What You Are" · Video

Magnolia: Music from the Motion Picture (1999)

 * Songs by Mann used in Magnolia (1999)




 * Oh, for the sake of momentum I've allowed my fears to get larger than life. And it's brought me to my current agendum Whereupon I deny fulfillment has yet to arrive. And I know life is getting shorter, I can't bring myself to set the scene. Even when it's approaching torture, I've got my routine.
 * "Momentum"


 * Now that I've met you, Would you object to Never seeing each other again? 'Cause I can't afford to Climb aboard you. No one's got that much ego to spend. So don't work your stuff, Because I've got troubles enough. No, don't pick on me When one act of kindness could be Deathly, Deathly, Definitely.
 * "Deathly"


 * The sex you're trading up for What you hope is love Is just another thing that He'll be careless of. But though there are caveats galore, You've only got to love him more — And you do; You really do. Even when it's all too clear.
 * "You Do"


 * You're sure There's a cure. And you have finally found it. You think One drink Will shrink you 'til you're underground And living down. But it's not going to stop. It's not going to stop. It's not going to stop 'Til you wise up.
 * "Wise Up" Clip from Magnolia of performances by Mann and cast members · Live at St. Ann's Warehouse


 * You look like a perfect fit For a girl in need of a tourniquet.
 * "Save Me" · Performance at the White House (11 May 2011)

Like Peter Pan, or Superman, You have come... to save me. '''Come on and save me... Why don't you save me? If you could save me, From the ranks of the freaks, Who suspect they could never love anyone, Except the freaks, Who suspect they could never love anyone, Except the freaks, Who could never love anyone.'''
 * You struck me dumb, Like radium
 * "Save Me"

Bachelor No. 2 or, the Last Remains of the Dodo (2000)


You're everything you're trying to make me believe''' 'Cause this show is too well designed Too well to be held with only me in mind And how, how am I different? How, how am I different?
 * '''I can't do it, I can't conceive
 * "How Am I Different" (co-written with Jon Brion) · Video

Can you in good conscience even ask me to? 'Cause what do you care about the great divide As long as you come down on the winner's side?
 * I can't do it, and as for you
 * "How Am I Different"


 * They're all still on their honeymoon, Just read the dialogue balloon. Everyone loves you — Why should they not? And I'm the only one who knows That Disneyland's about to close. I don't suppose you'd give it a shot Knowing all that you've got Are cigarettes and Red Vines. Just close your eyes, 'cause, baby — You never do know. And I'll be on the sidelines, With my hands tied, Watching the show.
 * "Red Vines"

Shake his hand and he'll twist your arm. With Monopoly money We'll be buying the funny farm. So I'll do flips, and get paid in chips From a diamond as big as the Ritz — ' Then I'm calling it quits. '
 * He's a serious mister
 * "Calling It Quits" · Video at YouTube

The Forgotten Arm (2005)



 * I'll tell you a secret I don't even know. Baby, there's something wrong with me Baby, there's something wrong with me Baby, there's something wrong with me That I can't see.
 * "King of the Jailhouse"

Fighting left me plenty of money But didn't keep the promise of memory lapses Like a building that's been slated for blasting I'm the proof that nothing is lasting Counting to eleven as it collapses
 * Tell me why I feel so bad, honey
 * "Video" · Video

@#%&*! Smilers (2008)
I know it Why don't you Just show it You got a lot of money but you can't afford the freeway
 * You know it
 * "Freeway" · Video

I thought my life would be better by now But it's not, and I don't know where to turn
 * I thought my life would be different somehow 
 * "31 Today" · Video


 * Little tornado You and the hurricane Close your eyes and go campaign Make it go faster Baby go faster Make it go twice the speed of you and me
 * "Little Tornado"

Charmer (2012)
people respond they can’t see the hidden agenda you got going on'''
 * '''When you’re a charmer
 * "Charmer" · Video

the world applauds they don’t know that secretly charmers feel like they’re frauds '''When you’re a charmer you hate yourself a victim of sideshow hypnosis like everyone else.'''
 * When you’re a charmer
 * "Charmer"

I could never even tell what were facts in your artful rearranging''' But I came back for more and you laughed in my face and you rubbed it in cause I’m a Labrador and I run when the gun drops the dove again
 * '''You lie so well
 * "Labrador" · Video (a shot for shot recreation of scenarios from her first hit video with 'Til Tuesday, "Voices Carry")

I was glad to be your pet like a Lab I once had that we called Maisie but fetching sticks was the best I had for tricks you got bored you got mad then you got crazy
 * When we first met
 * "Labrador"

but let’s shine in the time we have remaining you’re a tough old gal but a dog is just a pal and believe me, my dear, I’m not complaining
 * I could almost shed a tear
 * "Labrador"

too bad here’s a circumstance in which the stakes are high everybody’s got their secrets out so sad go around the room and see who doesn’t cry Soon enough you’ll be free to write it off you don’t know enough to call a bluff and the one who does will never ever tell
 * Everybody’s got their differences
 * "Soon Enough" · Video

you can say we made it up just for fun I guess to make a mess cause what’s more fun than other people’s hell
 * Soon enough
 * "Soon Enough"

The Both (2014)



 * Collaborations with Ted Leo

By the laugh in the dark at the sound of the bell You can tell It's the nucleus burning inside of the cell…'''
 * '''You can tell
 * "Milwaukee" · YouTube video