Now I'm telling the truth
I'm finished with lies
Lies
If you don't believe me now
You'll never believe me
Now
I should have my head examined
They'll see when they look inside
I won't have to say a word
I'll stop thinking what I shouldn't be thinking
I'll make everyone believe me
Can't you see I'm telling the truth
I'm finished with lies
Lies
If you don't believe me now
You'll never believe me
Now
You'll think it's a lie
Couldn't we just put away the ancient history
Throw up our hands at the unsolved mystery
I'm going to have my head examined
I'll prove you were wrong about me
Move the needle telepathically
I'll turn everything around and confuse you
Talk faster and faster `til I lose you
I'll fix it so you can't remember what was true
And there'll be nothing to remind you
Starting now I'm telling the truth
I'm finished with lies
Lies
If you don't believe me now
You'll never believe me
Now
Now I'm telling the truth
I'm finished with lies
Lies
If you don't believe me now
You'll never believe me
Now
Lies
Lies
You'll think it's a lie
(You'll think it's a lie)
You'll think it's a lie
You'll think it's a lie
Quoth the Johns:
There are a few songs from way back when that must be acknowledged. "Lies" by the Knickerbockers, yes, and "La La Lies" from the first Who album. "Finished with Lies" was originally a slow, hypnotic march, but after a few years of playing it that way we found our way to this more direct homage.
—John Linnell and John Flansburgh
[source: Emusic promotional email, August 3, 2001]