Keyboards recorded on 11/26/2021 and vocals recorded on 12/7/2021 at Roser Park Sun Shack, St. Petersburg, Florida.
lyrics
Well, ‘04, we couldn’t ditch the one who started wars. The world had gone so wrong, yet never felt more home. Tucson really had all, so I sold my car in 2005!
2005.
There’s city in desert, and desert in city. That year I mostly knew it as the night’s sweet breeze. Had streak of going out more than thirty in row! Some nights pedaling from one fun thing to another.
Maybe start at roller derby.
Then to Plush I’d catch the Torta.
Before Flycatcher, pre-bulldozer.
Usually led to karaoke.
Like that Sunday June at Congress.
Long rotation meant just one turn.
Sang “What You Need,” not “About a Girl.”
Yet happy to rock while others got to sing. Whether REO or things beloved like Femmes. In dim smoke light saw her to whom I gave flyer in 2005!
2005.
I said, “Hi there, Megan, are you going to sing?” She said that’s not her thing, but she liked watching. Her taste leaned more toward slow and sad than mine. Though rarely broke a smile, she brightened and proclaimed:
“Your karaoke’s entertaining!”
And “I love the way you’re dancing!”
Saw me one time sing “Pop Muzik,”
when I did get down, quite extremely.
Mashed in “New Drug” and “Ghostbusters.”
She made me all gosh-golly-gee.
Touched my tummy so randomly.
She had a crew with her; went to find in tap room. No invite to follow, but “nice talking to you.” Didn’t expect number but had hoped for a hug in 2005!
2005.
Two Fridays from then ended with a house party! Though didn’t drink was thrilled to stay up way past 3. Mesquite yard, bass thumped rooms, so many friends to see! One dreamy, first time meet, had dreamed to dance with me.
So I did not feel so sad that Megan was there, but we never talked that night. Though I smiled in her direction, no acknowledge. Seemed to be with guy-not-dancing.
Two weeks later, aboard a train.
West coast tour of karaoke.
In Portland, news hit me that while I’d been gone: Megan’s life had ended. Oh god, why, no! How? Insecurity got best of me, so I didn’t say “hi” when saw her last time…
In 2005.
First Monday back and now was like a whole new year. Found one who changed my life, and you can guess where starts. Met with her “Punk Rock Girl,” then I sang “Dress You Up.” Had two cats and the most amazing five-year old.
[Life-of-party did not vanish. But we found ways to keep balance. Three saw Corpse Bride, trick or treating. Found a sitter, then two went to shows together. Had blessing when sometimes, after bedtime I’d sing alone, her on my mind.]
I made two friends for life, but romance did not last past week two of ‘06. Okay, now what’s next? Life like ‘05’s first half, but greater confidence. “Should I move away?
“No, I’m going to stay.”
New friends and starting bands kept me rooted for years. Now visit, see those houses? Hung out here, here, and here. Oh Megan, wish I could have learned much more about you. You did say, “29.” Yeah, we both looked younger.
In Tucson where I glimpsed a snapshot of your life, each year was as precious…
as 2005.
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Note: Lyrics in brackets ([ ]) do not appear in this recording, but they add extra detail to the story, so I include them here. Thanks for reading!
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