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