In the nothern town

[Intro — distant radio, soft synth pads] An old song through the static, A voice from yesterday… I close my eyes a moment, And the years just fall away. [Verse 1] We rode our bikes through narrow streets, With faded trainers on our feet. Your mother said, “He’s just gone out,” So we took the long way round. No little screen to tell us where, Just a coat, a bike, the evening air. We’d knock on doors along the way, Till all our friends came out to play. [Pre-Chorus] Someone had a tape to lend, Someone brought another friend. We never knew what we would find, With half the town still left to ride. [Chorus — wide, emotional, layered harmonies] In the northern town, We chased the daylight down. With the radio playing, And our wheels still turning round. In the northern town, I hear those voices now. From an open bedroom window, As the evening settles down. [Post-Chorus — soaring wordless choir] Ooh, oh-oh… Ooh, oh-oh… The music from an open window… Ooh, oh-oh… [Verse 2] The Cure was playing in your room, Depeche Mode on an afternoon. New Order on a worn-out tape, We’d turn it up and stay awake. FM sounded bright and clear, AM brought distant voices near. We turned the dial so carefully, To catch a song across the sea. [Pre-Chorus] A finger waiting on the key, “Don’t let the DJ speak, please!” We’d miss the start, record the end, Then play it all back once again. [Chorus] In the northern town, We chased the daylight down. With the radio playing, And our wheels still turning round. In the northern town, I hear those voices now. From an open bedroom window, As the evening settles down. [Verse 3 — softer] Sometimes I walked across to you, With nothing much I planned to do. I’d leave my footsteps in the rain, And tap against your windowpane. You’d grab your jacket, close the door, We’d take the streets we knew before. And talk until the lamps came on, Then wonder where the day had gone. [Bridge — gradual orchestral build] Now I can reach you any time, Your name lights up, I write a line. But I remember standing there, Your bedroom music in the air. Are you still listening late at night? Do those old songs still sound as bright? There’s one that always takes me back— Two bicycles beside your gate. [Final Chorus — full choir] In the northern town, We chased the daylight down. With the radio playing, And our wheels still turning round. In the northern town, I hear those voices now. And for a moment we’re together, With our bikes outside your house. [Outro — fading radio, wordless choir] Ooh, oh-oh… One more song before we go… Ooh, oh-oh… Your light is on… I’m at your door…