Second Best

The impact

The aftershave

The European cigarettes

The taxi

The alcohol

That lingers on your breath

The lipstick

The street lamp

The woolen overcoat

The front desk

You tell yourself

It isn't over yet

Second best

Oh, second best

I can learn to live with this

Plus, I really need a rest

After all

What's wrong with second best?

What's wrong with second best?

The motel

The distances

Caving to kisses, cold and wet

Familiar exchanges

Like needle pulling thread

The empty movements

That once were so inspired

Desperate attempts to fan the flame

Without a fire

The mattress creaks beneath

The symphony of misery and calm

Still we lie jerking back and forth

And blurring into one

Second best

Oh, second best

I can learn to live with this

Plus, I really need a rest

After all

What's wrong with second best?

What's wrong with second best?