One Exit Too Late | I Kept Waiting for a Sign | 80s AOR

[Intro] [Muted guitar pulse] [Analog synth sequencer] [Crowd rising in the distance] [Full band enters] [Verse 1] Two hours west on an empty road Dashboard glowing, nowhere to go The voice on the screen said, “Take the next exit” I heard it once Then drove right past it Funny how that felt like me Same old job since twenty-three Same goodbye I never said Same old “maybe” in my head [Pre-Chorus] I kept waiting for a sign Like life would pull me to the side [Chorus] One exit too late Another year gone by I kept waiting for a sign While the signs were passing by One exit too late Same road, same white lines I kept saying, “Maybe next time” Till next time became my life [Verse 2] Called my friend, said, “We should meet” We both laughed, “Yeah, definitely” Three more years And nothing changed Different numbers Same old names Kept a suitcase in the hall Never took the trip at all Had a thousand ways to leave And one more reason not to move [Chorus] One exit too late Another year gone by I kept waiting for a sign While the signs were passing by One exit too late Same road, same white lines I kept saying, “Maybe next time” Till next time became my life [Bridge] [Band drops to bass and synth pulse] Then the voice came through again— “Next exit.” [Crowd cheers] This time I put my hand on the wheel And turned [Drum fill] [Guitar Solo] [20-second melodic guitar solo] [Wide sustained bends → fast legato → harmonized lead] [Crowd clapping with the beat] [Final Chorus] THIS TIME I TOOK THE TURN Didn't know where it would go THIS TIME I TOOK THE TURN Just knew I couldn't miss one more No perfect sign No perfect time No voice telling me I'm right I took the turn I crossed the line And left “someday” behind [Crowd] HEY! HEY! [Final Lift] One exit too late For all those years gone by But not too late Not tonight [Audience sings] NOT TOO LATE! [Outro] [Opening guitar pulse returns] [Band hits final chord] [Crowd roar]