No Way to Treat a Friend" is an Amy Ray song, probably written

around 1985 or earlier, even. A live version of it appears on the

"Blue Food" cassette, and it has been performed fairly regularly

since then. The lyrics I'm transcribing are from no particular

version, as the song changed a bit over the years. Instead, I'm kind

of compiling it from seven different versions from 1985/6 to 1991.

So when I choose one phrase over another, such as "When I walked you

to the door" instead of "When I walked through the door," well, it's

totally a judgement call on my part. So sue me.



No Way to Treat a Friend



When I walked you to the door, I was feeling mighty fine

I was thinking "Hey, I've got love to ease my mind."

Then I got to the car, and I was staring at your scars

Thinking "Hey, this ain't no way to spend my time."



I want a true love affair, not this touch-and-go in the air

You know I don't know if I'm coming or I'm down

I don't want a love touch and go, I want a feeling I only know

Or else you can't get me out of this town.



When I saw you smile, it was just one look into your eyes

And I was thinking "Hey, you're in love again."

Then I heard you laugh, honey, you were laughing at the past

I was thinking "This ain't no way to treat a friend."



You were laughing at the past, you were smiling through your glass

Watching cars drive away in your mind

You were hoping I would leave, honey, I was dreaming I could stay

This ain't no way to spend my time.



(At this point, recent versions have a guitar solo, while early

versions include a bridge with the following lyrics:

This ain't no way to treat a friend

This ain't no way to see me

I'm looking for the end

This ain't no way to treat a friend.)



I want words, I want touch, maybe that's a bit too much

For someone so far removed from what we used to claim

If you be cruel, I'll still be kind, I've got it in my mind

I'm in love with you, I ain't gonna play your game.



If you want my advice, don't say it's wrong if it feels right

Don't push me down just to see me crawl

I'll be crawling on your floor, I'll be reaching for the door

I'll be crawling right out of your eyes

Honey, I'll be walking right out of your eyes

Baby, I'll be walking right out of your eyes