I salvaged the first verse for this one from another song of mine that just never quite came together. Good thing, because this version turned into a great ‘torch’ song, as they used to call these kind of songs. I am not sure where I read it, but someone once said the a good story song always includes a plot twist and I think the one delivered at the tail end of the bridge section is a dandy. Nothing changes for the character, but the listener gets an a-ha moment that ups the ache factor in the third and final chorus.
Lyrics
Starin’ out from my concrete jungle lair / Me and all the lost fools chained to theirs / I thought myself a lucky one for getting so far / I miss my old life and where you are / Baby I’m burned out, bottled up and blue / I’ve been off climbing my mountains and hating the view / And the one cold hard fact I can’t get past ‘cos it’s true / I chose me instead of you / Ambition’s just a blind horse if you drop its reins / But I was never one to hold back if there’s ground to gain / I knew that there’d be scars to bear for being apart / Just never thought they’d brand me a low-down fugitive of the heart / Oh baby, I’m burned out, bottled up and blue / I’ve been off chasing greener pastures and avenues / I made my decisions and now I’m stuck following through / And living with them instead of you / I miss your smiling eyes in the country light / I crave you warm embrace in the cold of night / You were the dream in hand that I failed to see / And I pray that your new man is not like me / Baby I’m burned out, bottled up and blue / I’ve been off climbing my mountains and hating the view / And the one lousy moment that will haunt me til I’m through / When I chose me instead of you