Moscow Blues

Looking in the mirror in a town I don't know
Wondering how I got here and where is my soul
I took the chance to make my name
All this for the paycheck and a chance at fame
It happened so quick, no time to breath
Now I gotta go, they're waiting for me
So I do the last line off the porcelin
Half-hearted attempt at finding home again.

The van starts up with a lurch and a rattle
Its my turn now on the freeway battle
As I think about you and your friends
And all the times that we said it'd never end.
Well they did and I haven't felt the same again.
So I took advantage of all that pain
And I just don't think I'm going to be the same

I park the van on top of the ramp
Need to remember to get this ticket a stamp.
The doorman squints as I had him my ID
He points me up the stairs to where I need to be
I see all these kids who wouldn't know who I am
And I ask to myself 'How have you been doin'?'

I walk to the stage and see the band
THey're all ready settin' up the microphone stand.
So I go out the back door to have a cigarette
Trying to ignore this lingering feeling of regret
Outside there's a frozen winter garden
I pull my coat tight as my veins harden
I flick the bic and my flame jumps out
Inhaling the tobacco I push all my doubt
Out of my lungs as I turn around
To bump into you, unable to make a sound.

Well underneath your coat you've got the band's shirt on
And I all I want to do is make myself gone
Through the smoke your hand rests on my shoulder as you say
"I'm sorry things were such a blur back in the day.
But here we are now.  What are you gonna do with the time?"
I just softly kind of smile with a tingle in my spine
"I'm going to play that song about yesterday
That song about the city with the bay
When Scene 24 use to mean somethin'
And I dreamed of us, diving in the ocean.
Will I see you after the show?"

She shook down the snow in her hair and responded with a "No."
It was then that I understood the deal
That those green eyes and face meant none of this way real.
So I went back in and played that song
Knowing that it was for an audience of one.
I woke in my bed before we even finished
But it's for the better because now I have these words
And yet another dream influenced by song
Still wondering when I'm going to be over you.