Letters to Cheryl (2000)

[Intro – gentle acoustic guitar strum, faint harmontoica hum] (Instrumental Solo) [Verse 1 – soft acoustic picking, quiet shaker rhythm] Cheryl, it’s been nineteen years since I've talked you Got a story to tell, it’s the same old rue Just closed the book on another mess I was in Thought I’d found my peace, but it crashed in the end [Pre-Chorus – subtle bassline kicks in, vocals warm slightly] Waited ‘til the day her kid turned sweet sixteen Left her something solid, both a tank and a limousine A car with a engine that won’t quit or break So she can roll safe, no matter what mistakes [Chorus 1 – full acoustic strum, harmonica melody swells] Natalie’s the only good thing out of all this haze A TD300 to drive to school, to come visit these days Three guys in a house, all our hearts a little torn Just another chapter of the life I’ve worn [Verse 2 – steady drum beat joins, guitar picks up pace] The landlord’s in divorce, thinks he's the only one alone My brother caught his wife with the man who built their home I’m just here in the middle, no love left to spend Same old cycle, I can’t seem to end [Pre-Chorus 2 – layered vocals, harmonica echoes] Waited ‘til the day her kid turned sweet sixteen Left her something solid, both a tank and a limousine A car with a engine that won’t quit or break So she can roll safe, no matter what mistakes [Chorus 2 – full band swells, electric guitar riff weaves in] Natalie’s the only good thing out of all this haze A Mercedes for school, to come visit these days Three guys in a house, all our hearts a little torn Just another chapter of the life I’ve worn [Bridge – stripped back to acoustic guitar, vocals raw] I still think of that day in ‘81 The way i cried, why I wasn't strong Now I’m here with these ghosts, all broken and undone Wondering where the hell I went wrong [Solo – bluesy harmonica solo, slow and mournful] (Instrumental Solo) [Final Chorus – full band crescendo, vocals passionate] Natalie’s the only good thing out of all this haze A Mercedes for school, to come visit these days Three guys in a house, all our hearts a little torn Just another glorious, ridiculous storm [Outro – fading acoustic strum, final harmonica note hangs] Cheryl, I hope you’re doing better than me Living a life that’s finally free