Track 1 of the single Meter Running, Radio Low · 2023
Meter Running, Radio Low
“Midnight on the meter, rain across the glass, and a stranger from the past climbs in. Neither of us said a word for six blocks.”
rock ballad · rock ballad · night-drive song · 4:17
Lyrics
Midnight on the meter, rain across the glass Another fare is climbing in, a stranger from the past Of somebody I might have been, a coat that's soaked right through She says "just drive, I'll tell you when" And I say "yes ma'am, I will do" Meter running, radio low Everybody's got a place they've got to go I'm just the man who holds the wheel While the city tells me what it feels Meter running, radio low Take the long way, I'll take it slow Every back seat holds a story And I leave a light on for the road A groom who lost his nerve at the chapel door A nurse who's coming off a double, shoes in hand, nothing more A kid who's flying out at dawn with one bag and a dream I drive them all to where they're going Like the streets were made of seams Meter running, radio low Everybody's got a place they've got to go I'm just the man who holds the wheel While the city tells me what it feels Meter running, radio low Take the long way, I'll take it slow Every back seat holds a story And I leave a light on for the road Twenty years of other people's roads Twenty years of other people's loads I never asked them what they weigh I just said "mind the step, and have a good day" Now the sky is going silver over the bridge The last fare of the night is the quiet one, the kindest kid She leaves a tip and a thank-you, says "you didn't have to care" I tell her somebody did for me Back when I was standing there Meter running, radio low Everybody's got a place they've got to go I'm just the man who holds the wheel While the city tells me what it feels Meter running, radio low Take the long way, I'll take it slow Every back seat holds a story And I leave a light on for the road Mind the step, and have a good day Meter's off, and the dawn's on its way