The Lights Were Still On | Nobody Knew My Name | 80s AOR

[Verse 1] Two in the morning, rain on the glass I took the old road just to see what was left Same corner sign, same railroad bridge But the town felt smaller than I remembered it Then I saw that diner by the light Still glowing red against the night So I pulled in where we used to park And sat there with the engine off [Pre-Chorus] I told myself I'd only stay a minute But twenty years Were waiting in that room [Chorus] The lights were still on But nobody knew my name Same old corner Nothing felt the same The lights were still on Like time had missed that place But the man who used to live here Was gone without a trace The lights were still on [Verse 2] The booths were new, the walls were blue No one behind the counter looked familiar I took the seat beside the window Where we once stayed talking after midnight Ordered coffee, black, no cream Watched the headlights cross the street For a second I could almost hear All those voices from another year [Chorus] The lights were still on But nobody knew my name Same old corner Nothing felt the same The lights were still on Like time had missed that place But the man who used to live here Was gone without a trace The lights were still on [Bridge] [Band drops to clean guitar and bass] I thought coming back Would make me feel like I belonged But some places remember you Long after you've moved on [Crowd quiets] I paid the check Walked to the door Then turned around once more [Guitar Solo] [20-second lyrical guitar solo] [Long sustained bend → melodic phrasing → harmonized lead] [Drums gradually build underneath] [Final Chorus] The lights were still on And I finally understood You can love where you came from Without wishing that you could The lights were still on But I didn't need to stay Some things remain behind you And still help you find your way The lights were still on [Crowd sings] STILL ON... [Final Lift] So I drove into the morning With the old town in my mirror Not lost Not home Just somewhere in between [Outro] [Opening clean-guitar motif] [Band holds final chord] [Crowd applause and arena reverb]