This is a story – if you have the time to hear
It happens to us all – the fear grows with every year
He turns 26 – this time next month
Yes he's growing older – but is he really growing up?

Well, it's lonely in the city on a Thursday night
And you're walking home 'cause you couldn't find a ride
The girl catches your eye with a confident stride
She's wearing snow boots in the summer time

But you've got to be in bed, the early bird gets the worm
Got a meeting in the morning with more lessons to learn
Put your talents to the test? Well, it isn't your turn
No, not now, not right now
But we all go to work 'cause they pay us to sit
And we take what we can 'cause we don't give a shit
And if you think things will change then you clearly forget
This is life at 25, oh no

And so the story goes on – each and every single day
But it's never that bad – so there's really never need for change
He was 16 – this time 10 years ago
He knew what he knew – but he didn't know what he didn't know

Well, it's lonely in the bar on a Thursday night
You're supposed to meet a friend, he didn't show, but it's all right
The girl catches your eye with a sly smile
She's wearing snow boots in the summer time

But you have to be home soon 'cause the trash goes tonight
And if you let it pile up, your roommate might take your life
And the bugs in your kitchen have formed gangs and started to fight
Is this your life?
Well, we can't be pained to go to the grocery store
So we get every meal delivered straight to the door
And you wonder why you can't bend your knees anymore?
It's your life.. and here comes the weekend
Well, we go there to eat 'cause it's open till 3
And we flirt with the waitress and speak over grease
And when you get a moment you think 'Is this really happening?'
Oh but it is
And then the chimes strike at noon but you just hit the snooze
'Cause there's no need for alarms when there's nothing to do
In fact there's plenty to be done, but that really isn't you
No, not now.. it's your life at 25

This night started out like any other night
Same black shirt and same blue jeans that the mirror's always seen
This night started out like any other night
Fell asleep and we're running late – got in a fight with my roommate

And so I almost didn't go
Another shitty local music show
Full of people that I already know
But I'll go, I'll go, I'll go

This night started out like any other night
Play some old tapes in the car, driving far away too far
This night started out like any other night
Take the first beer much too quick, by 10:30 I'm already sick

And so I almost didn't go
Another shitty local music show
Full of people that I already know
But I'll go, I'll go, I'll go

This night started out like any other night
New bar, new dance, new music, no chance
This night started out like any other night
What's this in my line of view?
"You're beautiful, who are you?"

School year winding down with a weekend trip to see your friend's band play in town
But you look so bored, did you really drive three hours just to stand around?
No, I don't dance so well, but I'm really pretty good at sitting down and talking
Let's see if I've got this straight – you like primates and garage sales?

I've been so alone for so damn long until you came along

Well, here's something I believe in – fate put you here in Cincinnati tonight
Ten minutes ago I was leaving – it's a damn good thing I saw your face in the lights
And I didn't want to go out this evening – but you never know what choices might change your life
So accept this formal greeting – and let's stay up late in Cincinnati tonight

So it's safe to say we've never seen one such as you show up on the scene
Funny and intelligent, sarcastic, irreverent opinions on everything
No, I don't dance too well, but I really like sitting here with you just talking
How could I not fall in love with you when you tell me that you like Twin Peaks?

I've been so alone for so damn long until you came along

Well, here's something I believe in – fate put you here in Cincinnati tonight
And we'll mark this chance meeting – as the turning point in the rest of our lives
Sometimes my faith's misleading – but not this time, this time it's got to be right
So accept this formal greeting – and let's stay up late in Cincinnati tonight

Wait, what do you mean – you kind of have a boyfriend?
So I guess this new beginning is already at the end
And wait, what do you mean – it's not like you'll be married?
So is it a temporary thing? I think I'm getting worried

I like you, you like me, that much is true
So break up with him, go out with me, it's not difficult
It's not atypical; just make that little call
Make him feel so pitiful tonight

Wait, what do you mean – he's kind of like your best friend?
I think you need some new company 'cause all of that's at the end
And wait, what do you mean – you decided to take a break?
Until he got lonely, then going back was your mistake

I like you, you like me, that much is true
So break up with him, go out with me, it's not difficult
It's not atypical; just make that little call
Make him feel so pitiful tonight

If you need an ear, I'll lend one
And if you need a year, I'll wait one
If you need advice, I'll give some
But be advised the advice isn't nice
It's to change your life and spend more time with me, with me, with me
No satisfaction guaranteed, that's understood and fine with me
I'll be here, I'll be here, I'll be here
Until then, until then, until then, until then

Well, you're not everything I wanted, but what I want is what I wouldn't want you to be
And you're not everything I've dreamt of, but you're everything that's ever cost me sleep
You didn't capture my imagination, but you crowd my thoughts
And for the first time in my life all I need is all I've got

'Cause I'm always in obsession with projections of a person
And when that girl becomes reality impressions always worsen
But you, I'm finding that your imperfections are still perfect
So if I fall in love with you, it always will be worth it
It is worth it

You're more naïve than me, but you sin a lot more often
But you're just like me, 'cause you're stressed out even when you've got no problems
You wear the smile of a saint and the smirk of a cynic
You've got a failure's fear of falling even though you're always winning

'Cause I'm always in obsession with projections of a person
And when that girl becomes reality impressions always worsen
But you, I'm finding that your imperfections are still perfect
So if I fall in love with you, it always will be worth it
It is worth it

Well, I could say 'I love you,' but I don't know what that means
I've put it in words for other girls, but I never really believed
And yeah there's 56 things about you that I could say won my heart
But I know for sure you're so much more than the sum of your parts

Well, you're stubborn as hell but indecision bursts you into tears
And you're only 21, but you're wise beyond your years

'Cause I'm always in obsession with projections of a person
And when that girl becomes reality impressions always worsen
But you, I'm finding that your imperfections are still perfect
So if I fall in love with you, it always will be worth it
It is worth it

I've got an atlas, I've got a car
I don't where or how far
But we can go down any road
Just pack your bags and grab a coat
'Cause there's a motel room with a lovely view of a seedy highway bar
So if we drive all night and the price is right then we might as well make it ours

Sinister smiles keep us warm at night
With the radio on singing goodbye songs
But we don't have to say, 'Good night'
We just have to drive

Maybe eastbound, maybe westbound
Any direction suits us best now
We haven't time for straight lines
'Cause state lines are just a state of mind

And there's a used book store in Baltimore that we have never seen
And down any freeway to the Chesapeake Bay the light is always green

Sinister smiles keep us warm at night
With the radio on singing goodbye songs
But we don't have to say, 'Good night'
We just have to drive
Sinister smiles keep us warm at night
With the radio on singing 1-2-3-4
We don't have to say, 'Good night'
We just have to drive

You're my travel agent
You're my travel agent
You're my travel agent
You're my travel agent

Leave the lies lie behind us, lost in ex-lives
So far away

For five straight months you know we're never in the same town
And we kiss good night on wires running underneath the ground
For five straight months your graduation holds us in suspense
I used to live in the past, but now I'm living in the future tense

So we wish away two years at a time for a life we may not ever even see
And yes I know you're still in love with me, and you know I still care
But there's lots of looking elsewhere and we both have tired eyes

For five straight days she's struck me with her stunning figure
And I'm so inclined to let temptation go ahead and linger on
And for five straight days he's charmed you with his sense of humor
And you don't seem to mind the loose talk and idle rumors going 'round

So we wish away two years at a time for a life we may not ever even see
And yes I know you're still in love with me, and you know I still care
But there's lots of looking elsewhere and we both have tired eyes

We're both guilty, so there's no point in us pointing fingers at each other
Just another chance to wonder what to do with ourselves next

Well I want you little angel and the feeling's quite contagious
Girl you're gonna drive me crazy with the possibilities
You little angel, got me messing 'round with danger
Got me sleeping in with strangers, tasting impossibility

Dangerous friendships must end in tears
Dangerous phone calls; I shouldn't be here
Unspoken tension, minutes like years
Lean a little closer, let's face all our fears

And it only takes one night

Well I want you little angel and the feeling's quite contagious
Girl you're gonna drive me crazy with the possibilities
You little angel, got me messing 'round with danger
Got me sleeping in with strangers, tasting impossibility

Silence is golden when there's nothing to say
Well don't keep me waiting; I really can't stay
When you know the moment of truth is only moments away
Lean a little closer until the night becomes day

And it only takes one night

On the news there's war and oil, there's lots of people taking for themselves
And yeah I kissed a girl who… Oh I shouldn't have done it
But look there's war and oil on the news

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, all good boys they go to heaven
Oh, but I ain't got no fear
'Cause I know everybody that I meet has a done a lot worse things than me
So what do I care?

On my street there's drugs and guns, and lots of people will nothing for themselves
And yeah you kissed a boy who… Oh you shouldn't have done it
But look there's drugs and guns outside on the street

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, all good girls they go to heaven
Oh, but I ain't got no fear
'Cause I know everybody that we meet is keeping secrets so discreet
So what do we care?

Jesus why did you give me a conscience if I can't use it to influence my actions?
And Jesus why do I have to know wrong from right…
When the knowledge never ever beats out passion?
'Cause the easy part is not getting caught
It's getting away with it that's the rub
Oh yes the easy part is never ever getting caught
But getting away with it is fucking driving me insane tonight

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, all good boys they go to heaven
Oh, but I ain't got no fear
'Cause I know God is watching from on high with his trademark forgiving eye
He'll get us out of here

Oh Jesus what have I done? Oh Jesus what have I done?
Oh Jesus what have I done? I think I've blown it this time

Well you can cry for the love that never was
Or you can go around appreciating what you've got
So please forgive me if you find me crying in the corner

He knows it's dumb, but he just can't help himself
It's the smallest little details, the way she looked pissed off with a cigarette
They've gone and taken on all new meaning
And now he knows there's no one like her, and so he finds he may as well just die tonight

But there at the diner you see her face
She's beckoning you with alluring grace
Her snow boots wet from the summer rain
But you don't care just the same?

Well you can cry for the love that never was
Or you can go around appreciating what you've got
So please forgive me if you find me crying in the corner
And you can dream of the love that you never found
Or you can do your best to sleep with every girl in town
So please forgive me if I wake up lonely in the morning

So here he is at home another Saturday
And he's reading over letters, making lists of things she used to say
And all the bad times seem to just fade away
The arguments forgotten, and the trip to Montreal now the stuff of myth

Then at the record store she's there
Snow boots on and pulled-back hair
Extolling the virtues of Jarvis Cocker
And you don't even talk to her?

Well you can cry for the love that never was
Or you can go around appreciating what you've got
So please forgive me if you find me crying in the corner
And you can pine for the love that you never knew
Or you can take some pleasure in what's right in front of you
So please forgive me if you find me talking to old photos

Well you can cry for the love that never was
Or you can run around appreciating what you've got
So please forgive me if you find me crying in the corner
And you can hold up the past as your guiding light
Or you can look toward the future for a brand new life
So please forgive me if I'm walking backwards tomorrow

Yes, please forgive me if I'm telling this story again tomorrow