Texas In My Rearview Mirror (1980)

Mac Davis

Miscellaneous

Texas In My Rearview Mirror (1980)

I was just fifteen and out of control lost to James Dean and rock and roll

I knew down deep in my country soul that I had to get away

Hollywood was a lady in red who danced in my dreams as I tossed in bed

I knew I'd wind up in jail or dead if I have to stay

I thought happiness was Lubbock Texas in my rearview mirror

My mama kept calling me home but I just did not want to hear her

And the vision was getting clearer in my dream

So I let out one night in June stoned on the glow of the Texas moon

Humming an old Buddy Holly tune called Peggy Sue (pretty, pretty Peggy Sue)

With my favorite jeans and a cheap guitar I ran off chasing a distant star

If Buddy Holly could make it that far then I figured I could too

I thought happiness was Lubbock Texas in my rearview mirror

My mama kept calling me home but I just did not want to hear her

And the vision was getting clearer in my dream

But the Hollywood moon didn't smile the same old smile that I'd grown up with

The lady in red just wanted my last dime

And I cried myself to sleep at night too dumb to run too scared to fight

And too proud to admit it at the time

So I got me some gigs on Saturday night not much more than orchestrated fights

I'd come home drunk and I tried to write but the words came out all wrong

Hell bent and bound for a wasted youth too much gin and not enough vermouth

And no one to teach me to seek the truth before I put an end to this song

I still thought happiness was Lubbock Texas in my rearview mirror

My mama kept calling me home but I just could not, would not hear her

And the vision was getting clearer in my dream

Well I thank God each and every day for giving me the music and the words to say

I'd never had made it any other way he was my only friend

Now I sleep a little better each night and when I look in the mirror in the morning light

The man I see was both wrong and right he's going home again

I guessed happiness was Lubbock Texas in my rearview mirror

But now happiness was Lubbock Texas growing nearer and dearer

And the vision was getting clearer in my dream

And I think I finally know just what it means

And when I die you can bury me in Lubbock Texas in my jeans