"The Voice on the Dial" [Verse 1] Down at the station after school let out We'd sit in the corner, just watch him work it out Dials and switches, a wall of records deep An AM station the whole town used to keep [Verse 2] Hours would pass and we barely made a sound Watching him build that hit list, spinning it around But talk to him regular, walking down the street His voice was just his voice — nothing like the beat [Chorus] So how'd you get that voice, I finally had to ask That deep radio sound, like it's some kind of mask He just smiled and said "come here, kid, I'll show you how" And he taught me everything he knew right then and now [Verse 3] He walked me through the board, showed me every trick The breath before you talk, the timing, nice and quick Said the voice don't change, boy, you just find the room Down low in your chest is where the magic's tuned [Chorus 2] So how'd you get that voice, I finally had to ask That deep radio sound, like it's some kind of mask He just smiled and said "come here, kid, I'll show you how" And he taught me everything he knew right then and now [Verse 4] Some nights we swapped the station for the rink instead Where colored lights would spin above our heads He'd run the booth, that same deep voice so true Spinning all the hits the way he always used to do I taught the beginners how to keep their feet Then circled the floor all night, just keeping the peace [Verse 5] Growing up in the eighties, we had some real good times Working at the rink for gas money, a few extra dimes We'd drive out to the next town, catch their roller show Made a few good friends wherever we would go [Bridge] Two jobs, one friendship, wherever the nights would go Radio waves or roller wheels, we always found the flow Now every time I sing, I hear him in my chest That old AM station, still passing me the rest [Outro] So here's that voice now, the one he handed down Still carrying that station, long since shut down [fades on gentle instrumental, wordless "ooo" backing] [End]
