[Verse 1: Howling rockabilly male lead, howling, hiccup on the line ends] Third floor window and the radiator hissing Two floors up there's a girl I been missing Fire escape rattling, rust on the rail I'm climbing up it like a cat on a nail Knock knock knock on the glass at ten She pulls back the curtain, says you again Got a rose in my teeth and a dent in my knee She said there's a front door, use it, see [Chorus: Howling rockabilly male lead, howling, shouted chorus] I'll take the fire escape, baby, every night Two floors of iron and a broken light Front door's easy, front door's dull I'll take the fire escape, baby, every night [Verse 2: Howling rockabilly male lead, howling, faster] Tuesday it's raining and the ladder is slick Wednesday a pigeon tried to give me a kick Thursday the neighbor on four with a broom Swinging at my ankles, get away from my room Friday I'm hanging by a single hand Singing her a song with no tune and no plan She opens the window just a crack and a half I hear her trying hard not to laugh [Chorus: Howling rockabilly male lead, howling, shouted chorus] I'll take the fire escape, baby, every night Two floors of iron and a broken light Front door's easy, front door's dull I'll take the fire escape, baby, every night [Bridge: Howling rockabilly male lead, slap bass breakdown, only slap bass and handclaps, climbing] Saturday, the big night, I'm wearing a tie Slick back hair and a shine in my eye Fourth floor, fifth floor, knock on the pane No answer, no curtain, no light, no name [Verse 3: Howling rockabilly male lead, the whole band slams back, howling louder] Climb back down with my heart in my shoe Third floor window, there's a light coming through Somebody sitting on my couch in the glow Feet on my table like she owns the show Keys on her finger going round and round Super of the building, every lock in town She said the front door, darling, works both ways I'll take the stairs, you can climb for days [Chorus: Howling rockabilly male lead, howling, shouted chorus] I'll take the fire escape, baby, every night Two floors of iron and a broken light Front door's easy, front door's dull I'll take the fire escape, baby, every night [Outro: Howling rockabilly male lead, laughing, the hollow-body guitar rings out and fades] Fix the light She said, and fix the step [End]