The casino doesn't like when you run the tables

And though the box is wrapped up nice, it's just a cage to you

Those electric fences buzz, a stallion flees the stable

And that small town's even smaller now in your rearview

 

You ran with all the wild things

A liberated libertine

Who then longed for home

 

'Cause it's where you're from

Aunt Virginia with her church dress on

No elbows on the table and the neighbor's lawn always looked better

Your hand-me-down sweater should've been from the mall, and you hate this song

But you wake up on the train with your headphones gone

Then that melody is all you want

You never knew that it was Babylon

Till it was gone

 

Give the people what they want

Then you keep it moving

Make your plans and friends, a stranger's makeup on your tie

Twenty watches in the safe

'Cause your time is money

Love is ice upon the ladder that you need to climb

 

She captured your attention

So free of all pretension

It stopped you cold

 

Because she loved you so

Pretty as a picture that you didn't post

Looking at you like you're made of solid gold

Never official

You mention you're single to the girls at the bar

You hate this song

But you wake up on the train with your headphones gone

And then that melody is all you want

You never knew that it was Babylon

Till it was gone

 

You're using

Nostalgia as a weapon to hurt yourself

But darling

You end up hurting everybody else

The self-harm of never being where you are

It's bedtime, but you're sitting in your car

You're missing all the best parts

 

And they're all at home

She's hanging Christmas lights with your son

Sneaking to the bathroom to call her mom

And say it's not working

It's just not worth it if we're not what he wants, but you love this song

You wake up on the train with your headphones gone

Then that melody is all you want

You never knew that it was Babylon

And now it's almost gone

 

Aunt Virginia with her church dress on

No elbows on the table and the neighbor's lawn always looked better

It's almost gone

Your hand-me-down sweater should've been from the mall

But you love this song

You wake up on the train and you're all alone

Then that memory is all you want

You never knew that it was Babylon

Till it was gone