lyrics

booked a flight to Heathrow/if it ever clears
i’m taking a chance on the weather
leave the runway/raise the gear
it’s taking a turn for the better
so turn your radio on/turn your radio loud
i’m coming over the air/then i’m going to ground
so c’mon give it a spin/hear me coming around
and i can’t keep my heart/from falling apart
so i’m leaving it behind right here with you
and i’ll be keeping my hands to myself like we planned
but every London lover thinks she’s an exception to the rule
did you get my postcard/wish you were here
it’s hard to tell your signal from the static
and i think your satellite/has left the atmosphere
tell Mission Control it’s time to panic
so turn your radio on/turn your radio loud
i’m coming over the air/then i’m going to ground
so c’mon give it a spin/hear me coming around
and i can’t keep my heart/from falling apart
so i’m leaving it behind right here with you
and i’ll be keeping my hands to myself if i can
but every London lover thinks she’s an exception to the rule
at the seat of the empire/where the sun never sets
i’m surrounded by redcoats/smoking French cigarettes
this flag that i’m flying/is drawing enemy fire
and i could use reinforcements
’cause i’ve caught them coming through your wires
and i can’t keep my heart/from falling apart
so i’m leaving it behind right here with you
and i’ll be keeping my hands to myself if i can
but every London lover thinks she’s an exception to the rule

story

If you were raised on the Beatles, Stones, Who, Zeppelin and the Clash, your first solo trip to London is a pretty momentous occasion. Throw in a fight with your girlfriend right before takeoff and you have the beginnings of a pretty good song brewing. This track uses big, chiming guitars, plenty of Rhodes electric piano, and a memorable, arcing melody to warn the girlfriend that you might not be coming back.