"Told ya this guy was cool," says Clifton, as the Gibson Guy lets it loose. . . .


TORCH SINGER
By John Prine
As recorded by John Prine on “Diamonds in the Rough” (1972)

"The nightclub was burning
From the torch singer's song,
And the sweat was floodin' her eyes.
The catwalk squeaked
'Neath the bartender's feet
And the smoke was too heavy to rise.

"She sang of the love that left her,
And of the woman that she'll never be;
Made me feel like the buck and a quarter
That I paid 'em to listen and see,
I paid 'em to listen and see.

"I was born down in Kansas
'Neath the October sky,
Worked the day shift from seven to three,
And the only relief
That I receive
Is Nearer, My God, to Thee.

“She constantly throws me off timing,
Leaves me standing both naked and bare;
Makes me feel like the Sunday funnies
After everything's gone off the air,
Everything's gone off the air.

"I picked through the ashes
Of the torch singer's song
And I ordered my money around,
For whiskey and pain—
Both taste the same
During the time they go down.

"She sang of the love that left her,
And of the woman that she'll never be.
Made me feel like the buck and a quarter
I paid 'em to listen and see,
Yeah, I paid 'em to listen and see."