Lyrics Regina Spektor – Genius Next Door

Text:

Some said the local lake had been enchanted
Others said it must have been the weather
The neighbors were trying to keep it quiet
But I swear that I could hear the laughter

So they jokingly nicknamed it the porridge
‘Cause overnight that lake had turned as thick as butter
But the local kids would still go swimming, drinking
Saying that to them it doesn’t matter

Chorus:
If you just hold in your breath
‘Til you come back up in full
Hold in your breath
‘Til you thought it through, you, fool

The genius next door was busting tables
Wiping clean the ketchup bottle labels
Getting high and mumbling German fables
Didn’t care as long as he was able
To strip his clothes off by the dumpster
At night while everyone was sleeping
And wade midway into that porridge
Just him and his secret he was keeping

Chorus:
If you just hold in your breath
‘Til you come back up in full
Hold in your breath
‘Til you thought it through, you, foolish child

In the morning the film crews start arriving
With donuts, coffee and reporters
The kids are waking up hung over
The neighbors were starting up their cars

The garbage men were emptying the dumpsters
Atheists were praying full of sarcasm
And the genius next door was sleeping
Dreaming that the antidote is orgasm

Chorus:
If you just hold in your breath
‘Til you come back up in full
Hold in your breath
‘Til you thought it through, you, foolish child