It's not that I don't trust you
I just know what you've been up to
And this dial tone is agreeing with everything I've had in mind
And you've got your high as a kite tricks in the bag

So as his eyes move past your shoulders
And the shades start moving in the
Same direction, don't worry, I won't say a thing
And you can't blame a girl for sticking to what she knows

Hope he takes his time and I
Hope he keeps your eyes closed tight and
Hope that when he leaves you still
You smell him on your sheets
'Cause I can, I can
Hope he takes his time and I
Hope he keeps your eyes closed tight and
Hope that when he leaves you still
You smell him on your sheets
'Cause I can, I can

If I could get to sleep then
I guess you could stop pretending
'Cause if I didn't think you loved it
Well then I wouldn't play along and
You've got your high as a kite tricks in the bag

Hope he takes his time and I
Hope he keeps your eyes closed tight and
Hope that when he leaves you still
You smell him on your sheets
'Cause I can, I can
Hope he takes his time and I
Hope he keeps your eyes closed tight and
Hope that when he leaves you still
You smell him on your sheets
'Cause I can, I can

You're down for selling me out
While I play dumb
It's cool 'cause I let you; thought I'd never catch you
You said, "We're only friends", yeah, real good friends, I bet. I bet

You're down for selling me out
While I play dumb
It's cool 'cause I let you; thought I'd never catch you
You'd say, "We're only friends", yeah, real good friends, I bet. I bet

You're down for selling me out
While I play dumb
It's cool 'cause I let you; thought I'd never catch you
You'd say, "We're only friends", yeah, real good friends, I bet. I bet

Forget your legs around my hips
Forget your hands pressed on my back
Forget all the letters that I kept
This is another I won't send
Forget your lips, your eyes, your thighs
Forget our one last kiss goodbye
Forget me staking out your house
This time I've got you figured out

Forget your legs around my hips
Forget your hands pressed on my back
Forget all the letters that I kept
This is another I won't send


Lyrics submitted by ScreamingInfidelity, edited by Tollo

The Ballad of Sal Villanueva song meanings
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148 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    I read somewhere that Sal Villanueva was the band's producer. Remember the intro to The Blue Channel and Great Romances Of The 20th Century? Compared to the demos, the album versions of these two songs are way different. Now, I read that this song was written because TBS was pissed that Sal (their producer) kept changing things around (i.e., Blue Channel's and Great Romances' intros) without their input. This is suggested in "sticking to what she [he] knows" and "you're down for selling me out". There was also apparently an instance in which John said they refuse to perform the song live because Sal got pissed off and had some harsh words to say about the song. I don't know, I just thought this theory was worth a share.

    Imunoz903on December 22, 2016   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I love this song! just thought I'd share that with the rest of you. these guys can put any lyrics to music... it's so beautiful

    youronlyhopeon May 24, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    sal is taking back sunday's producer, this is his ballad, like what

    dexteron May 25, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Thankyou to who added this, I love you.

    A Vacant Andyon May 25, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    these boys definatly know how to put amazing lyrics with rad melodies into beautiful music. i like this song a lot.

    x_hopesfall_xon May 29, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    You're welcome A Vacant Andy.

    walkingonawireon June 01, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is as strong as The Blue Channel when it comes to your ex being with some other guy or cheating on you or anything like that. Just sends chills down my spine. Isn't TBS good everyone?

    I Will End Youon June 10, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    not enough people posted on this song... if you havn't figured out by my posts on the other song i love this band

    EmOcHiCk936on June 12, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i just typed these all up by ear. theyre 100% correct. the other ones posted are the way theyre wirrten down (thats how adam and john arrange their writings, but when music is added, they switch the words around to fit it in with the music).

    ScreamingInfidelityon June 13, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I like this song a lot i really like when he says "i bet i bet" the second time. It's an awesome song!!!

    *HollyHox*on June 16, 2002   Link

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