"Neanderthal" lyrics - BOB MOULD

I was the golden child with all the brains
I was so wild and too hard to contain
I was a whiny ball of nerves and need
Perfectly taut, invincibility

[Pre-Chorus:]
Let's be blunt for a moment
Say it right to my face
Heavy hands at the ready

[Chorus:]
I need to know: a friend or foe?
I feel my back against the wall
A stepping stone, a primal roar
I hook and claw, neanderthal

Look at me weave like a leopard off my leash
The devil you thought you knew has broken free
Amber and ochre mixed with sweat and cum
You won't share your paint with everyone

[Pre-Chorus:]
Look out, I'm feeling dirty
Then I lose restraint
Get to bed by 10:30

[Chorus:]
I need to know (Leaves are falling): a friend or foe? (Please don't falter)
I feel my back (Sealed encaustic) against the wall (Leash and collar)
A stepping stone (Leaves are falling), a primal roar (Please don't falter)
I hook and claw (Sealed encaustic), neanderthal (Leash and collar)

[Outro:]
Take another drag off a cigarette
Itching for a fight near the swing set
Angel breathing down on my clavicle
Chewing on a bone like an animal
Dialing up torque on a tourniquet
Choking out the life as I pirouette
Look into a mirror on a black wall
Every time I see the neanderthal