Day After Today
Bethany Joy Lenz Lyrics

Said I want to live the city life
Expressing the desire to live in a big city

This small town could eat me alive
Small towns have the power to stifle ambitions and limit opportunities

I gotta pack my things and go where the railroad takes me
Following the flow of life and taking opportunities as they come

Mama's too poor to send me away
Financial struggles make pursuing dreams difficult or impossible

But I've been saving up on most everyday
Taking control of one's situation by saving money towards achieving goals

Little bit out of each check from the Gas & Deli
A humble job can still fund aspirations

And the whistle keeps on blowing
The persistence of opportunities to reach big dreams

And the train keeps on rolling
Life keeps moving forward

And he said
Introducing the inner dialogue of the character

I ain't never been to New York City
Lack of experience in big cities

I ain't seen the San Francisco Bay
Lack of experience in the city by the bay

I ain't never tried my hand in Vegas
Lack of experience in a city synonymous with adventure and risk-taking

But you bet your bottom dollar
A confident declaration that the aspirations will be achieved

That's where I'm going the day after today
Setting a clear intention to pursue big dreams in the immediate future

So he locked the door and he killed the lights
Leaving behind the past to start a new journey

Took a six pack to get him through the night
Seeking solace and courage in tools that one is familiar with

Didn't have a plan just a good sense of direction
Confidence in the ability to succeed despite uncertainty

And Maybelline, his beauty queen
Introducing a key character in the story

She cried all night cause the sheet were clean
Expressing the pain and uncertainty of being left behind

But he left her a lovers' note there apologizing
Acknowledging the hurt caused by leaving and expressing remorse

I hear the whistle blowing
A call to action to take advantage of opportunities

Gotta catch it the train is rolling
Urgency in pursuing dreams before they pass by

The air is thick on the concrete isle
Describing a stark contrast to the small town atmosphere where the journey began

Ain't nothing green for like twenty miles
Further emphasizing the unfamiliar, urban environment

And he ain't use to the sun and moon a hiding
Feeling disoriented and out of place in an unfamiliar city

So he took his foot from out his mouth
Picking oneself up after making a mistake

And he packed his things and went back down south
Deciding to return to familiarity and regroup before pursuing big dreams again

But Maybelline said "Babe my time's arising."
Communicating a desire to pursue her own dreams when the opportunity arises

But you bet your bottom dollar
Reiterating the confidence in achieving big dreams

That's where I'm going the day after today
Reaffirming the intention to pursue aspirations in the near future

But you bet your bottom dollar
Reiterating the confidence in achieving big dreams

That's where I'm going the day after today
Reaffirming the intention to pursue aspirations in the near future