I wrote this a long time ago, after my first visit to New York City. Reading it now, I realize it sounds like I don’t like the city at all, but the truth is it’s one of my favorite places in the world. I was playing a character here, imagining the lives of some of the people I watched streaming past me.

HIT THE TOWN

my old man drove me as far as the station
but he wouldn’t get out of the car
shook my hand and palmed me a twenty
told me again I was straying too far
every small town punk wakes up one morning
with big city lights alive in his dreams
but I guess we all have to find out for ourselves
those big city lights aren’t as bright as they seem
go on now, boy, your bus is waiting
I know this is something you think you have to do
but take this advice along for the ride
someone gave it to me when I was a punk just like you

you’ve got to hit the ground with both legs churning
shine like a comet with both ends burning
sweat and strain ’til the weight gets lighter
keep coming back, like a punch drunk fighter
and most of all, don’t forget this, Jack
sometimes when you hit the town, you know the town hits back

Grand Central Station at three in the morning
is something no boy from Ohio should see
so many lost people huddled together
so many dead eyes following me
I sat on a bench to wait out the daylight
wondered again how I’d come to this place
an old woman tugged at the hem of my coat
she said, don’t worry son, we’ll save you a space

you’ve got to hit the ground with both legs churning
shine like a comet with both ends burning
sweat and strain ’til the weight gets lighter
keep coming back, like a punch drunk fighter
and most of all, don’t forget this, Jack
sometimes when you hit the town, you know the town hits back

now here I am gazing from fifty floors up
at the lights of the city, completely alone
thinking that maybe those lights aren’t so bright
thinking that maybe it’s time to go home
I’m tired of running just to keep up
I need to sit down and rest for a while
I’m tired of thinking each handshake a challenge
it’s been so damn long since I wanted to smile

Grand Central Station at three in the morning
is something that no longer bothers me much
my eyes look away when voices are raised
I don’t get too close, I’m afraid to be touched
It’s hard to admit that my father was right
but there comes a time when you must face the facts
I won a few battles but I sure lost the war
sometimes when you hit the town, you know the town hits back
sometimes when you hit the town, you know the town hits back