When I was a young boy
She used to come to me at night
And wait by my window
Just begging to come inside
Now, ever since I was eighteen
She's been trying to run my life
When she called me to go to her
There was no place I could hide

At the first signs of winter
I went back to be inside
Arms reached out to hold me
And I shunned them with denial
Said, "I never cared for you
I was always doing fine
Why did you come back here
If you can just watch it fine? "

So I ran through the city at night
The sound of her voice
Proved a haunting disguise
Soon I was lost -- caught up in the lights
And if I felt empty, at least I was high
Oh, city of light
And in the morning, I felt her breath

Hot against my neck
Mostly, it never bothered me
Though sometimes, I'll admit
They're feeling all but surrounding
I let it come to this
Darling, do what you promised me
And don't act like you forget

So I'll run through the city at night
The sidewalks were empty
The streets were on fire
She filled me up -- new kind of desire
Though I was helpless
I sure felt alive

Now all that defines me
Is a place where I welcome death
Let my family behold me
When those streetlights came possessed
But all that they held on me
Those nights I wrestled with
Maybe we both could be
Someplace where I could rest

So she danced while I covered my eyes
Made her feel safe
To pretend I was blind
I had a place
I would go in my mind
There, you were sober and able to cry
You've got some nerve
Coming back in my life
They strung you up here
And left you to die