I think BobTheRhino's nailed the first verse, but I think there's a bit more to the second verse. I don't think the song's a comment about his own life so much as a comment about the GLOBAL alcoholism epidemic fueled by distillers (in particular) focusing on and exploiting "new" drinkers -- did you know that the French even have their own word for "binge drinking" now?
I'd offer the following slight changes for the second verse:
Every night around this time
My friends and I, we'd treat it like a race (<<=as in, most of them got smarter)
But when I really start to break it down
I wouldn't trust a girl who knew about this place
Walking home when no one's left (<<=as in, last to leave the bar)
Speak softly underneath my breath
Hey world, you ain't seen nothing yet
Great, now it's raining (are these 2 lines the most desperate lyrics ever??)
I think it's a sensational song, easily one of his best (and I happen to think he's done some great stuff, too) ... but now I'm off to see if I can find him actually credited anywhere as the lyricist.
I think BobTheRhino's nailed the first verse, but I think there's a bit more to the second verse. I don't think the song's a comment about his own life so much as a comment about the GLOBAL alcoholism epidemic fueled by distillers (in particular) focusing on and exploiting "new" drinkers -- did you know that the French even have their own word for "binge drinking" now?
I'd offer the following slight changes for the second verse:
Every night around this time My friends and I, we'd treat it like a race (<<=as in, most of them got smarter) But when I really start to break it down I wouldn't trust a girl who knew about this place
Walking home when no one's left (<<=as in, last to leave the bar) Speak softly underneath my breath Hey world, you ain't seen nothing yet Great, now it's raining (are these 2 lines the most desperate lyrics ever??)
I think it's a sensational song, easily one of his best (and I happen to think he's done some great stuff, too) ... but now I'm off to see if I can find him actually credited anywhere as the lyricist.