Story Behind The Song

An exploration of whether the life of a performer is worth it.

Song Description

A guy tells of his desire to make music and describes his experiences and relationships. Even though he sums it up as misspent youth, the singer might not believe it was misspent.

Lyrics

(Verse)
I can't remember a time when I didn't sing
or playing plastic guitars with plastic strings
tearing up wooden hangers to make drumsticks
beating up on trashcans to learn my licks

(Verse)
I'd listen late at night on the radio
everybody had their favorite on the show
I fell in love with all those early songs
hoping one day I could play along

(Chorus)
Hey, what you're listening to is too many years of misspent youth
smoky clubs and cheap hotels, long, hot roads and diner food
Well, I've done it all and that's the truth
I've had too many years of misspent youth

(Verse)
I learned their riffs and I learned them really well
got good enough for my songs to sell
once a boy who was singing in the choir
is now a traveling troubadour for hire

(Chorus)
Hey, what you're listening to is too many years of misspent youth
playing cards and shooting pool, red hot cars and lonely girls
Well, I've done it all and that's the truth
I've had too many years of misspent youth

(Break)
I've had money. I've had it all.
I've been on top. I've had a fall.
I'd play on corners as folks pass along
for just a chance to sing my songs

(Guitar solo)

(Chorus)
Hey, what you're listening to is too many years of misspent youth
with little time to make a life, stone cold lies and broken hearts
well, I've done it all and that's the truth
I've had too many years of misspent youth,
I've had too many years of misspent youth.