[Intro - Rhodes and brushes only, low murmured] Mm... Yeah... Funny thing about a memory... It don't charge you all at once... [Verse 1 - close, conversational, raspy] First of the month came 'round again Paid the light, paid the phone, paid the gas Sat down at this kitchen table, pen in hand And wrote a check to somethin' that didn't last Three years gone and I'm still payin' On a place that ain't even mine no more [Chorus - restrained, worn] I still pay rent on your memory Every month, right on time Keep the lights on in a room Where you ain't been in a long, long while I could move out... Lord knows I should But I still pay rent on your memory 'Cause it's the only address... where I ever felt good [Verse 2 - half-spoken, tired smile in the voice] My buddy says, man, you got to let it go Says there's plenty rooms in plenty towns But he ain't never seen you Sunday mornin' Hair tied up, coffee cup, sun comin' down Some things you rent... (short burst) some things RENT YOU And I signed that lease the day I said your name [Chorus] I still pay rent on your memory Every month, right on time Keep the lights on in a room Where you ain't been in a long, long while I could move out... Lord knows I should But I still pay rent on your memory 'Cause it's the only address... where I ever felt good [Bridge - spoken over Rhodes, organ creeps in soft] You know what the crazy part is... I drove past your mama's house last Tuesday Didn't slow down... didn't stop... But I checked the mailbox in my mind Like somethin' from you might still be waitin' there (sung, one short burst) It never IS... (back to quiet) ...but I keep checkin'... [Verse 3 - barely above a whisper, brushes soften] One day maybe I'll pack it up Tape the boxes, turn the key Leave your ghost a note that says "The place is yours... you can stop hauntin' me" But not this month... no, not this month... [Final Chorus - a little rougher, still holding back] I still pay rent on your memory Every month, right on time (right on time, girl) Keep the lights on in a room Where you ain't been in a long, long while I could move out... God knows I should But I still pay rent on your memory 'Cause it's the only address... (long pause, almost spoken) ...the only address... where I ever felt good [Outro - Rhodes fading, murmured like the intro] Mm... First of the month gonna come back around... It always do... It always do... (room noise, fade)
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