a radio plays `white christmas'

it's been doing that for years

if someone leaves the station

oh please don't talk to strangers

can't you see they're not like us



the vacant flesh of U.D.'s

stand leaning by the walls

you can feel them thinking over

ways of merging with the thoughts

you never dare to dream



it must have been years

it must have been years



they want to relive all my memories

give me `the service' daily

maybe it was mother

i can't seem to remember

much at all these days



picture open doorways

no pick-ups by the taxi boys

just a bed near the window

and an old lamp by my pillow

and the things i have to do



it must have been years

it must have been years



the driver wants to touch me

he mentions all the old cop bullshit

i try to back away

but he's so strong i just can't move

maybe i don't want to anyway



the time to leave is always `soon'

i wonder if i'm lying

a vague feeling of panic

as a man leaves saying "thank you"

i blame it all on you



it must have been years

it must have been years





Gary Numan, "It Must Have Been Years", _R_e_p_l_i_c_a_s (Beggars Banquet/ATCO 1979)