One For My Baby
The Ralph Sharon Trio Lyrics

Hey John
The singer is initiating conversation with John

Yes sir
John acknowledges the singer's presence and shows respect

Come on let's have a drink
The singer is suggesting that they have a drink together

If you insist
John is accepting the offer to have a drink, although not actively showing enthusiasm

It's quarter to three
The time is late at night/early in the morning, indicating that the artist and John have probably been out for a while now

There's no one in the place
The bar they are in is empty except for them

Except you and me
The singer and John are the only ones currently in this bar

Set'em up, Joe
The artist is requesting Joe, the bartender, to serve them drinks

You know John I got a little story that you oughta know, Wait' till you hear 'bout this
The artist is going to tell John a story, which he thinks will interest him, so he should wait until he hears it before ordering their drinks

We're drinking my friend, To the end Of a brief episode, I am tellin' you that's what happened
The artist and John are drinking to mark the end of a particular experience, which the artist is about to recount to John

Make it one for my baby
The singer is requesting a drink, which he is going to dedicate to his lover

And one more for the road
The artist is asking for another drink, which they will consume together before leaving the bar

I got the routine (Oh no you too)
The singer is indicating that he has been through this situation before, while John says that he is in the same position

So drop another nickel in the machine
The singer is requesting John to put another coin in the jukebox

Man, I'm feeling so bad
The singer is expressing his emotional state, which is not good

I wish you'd make that music dreamy and sad
The artist is requesting John to play some slow, sad music to match his mood

I could tell you a lot (You too, right?)
The artist is implying that both him and John have many stories they could tell

But you've got to be true to your code (okay)
The singer is reminding John that he should only share things that don't go against his personal values/beliefs

Make it one for my baby
The singer is requesting another drink for his lover while implying that he might need it after discussing certain topics

And one more for the road
The artist is requesting one last drink before they leave the bar

You'd never know it, but buddy, I'm a kind of poet
The artist is revealing something about himself that John might not have known earlier

Well yea that's right, I've got a lot Of things to say
The artist is saying that he is very opinionated and has different things to share

And when I'm gloomy You simply gotta listen to me Until it's talked away
The singer craves attention and emotional support from John, especially when he is going through a hard time

Let's have another drink. Bartender fill it up again, will you?
The artist is requesting another drink from the bartender

That's how it goes
The singer is acknowledging the end of their night together, and how it's a part of life in general

John, I know you're getting very anxious to close
The singer understands that John wants to close the bar and go home

"You don't know me well enough"
The singer thinks that John is not well-acquainted with him yet

Tony thanks for the cheer
The artist is thanking Tony, the bartender, for his good company and conversation

I hope you don't mind me bending your ear
The artist is hoping that Tony doesn't think of him as boring, because he has been talking a lot

'Cause this torch that I found Must be drowned or it or soon might explode
The singer is implying that he has discovered something about himself that he wants to keep hidden, because it might have bad consequences if it gets out

Make it one for my baby
The singer is requesting one final drink for his lover, before they leave the bar

And one more for the road
The artist is requesting a final drink between him and John, before they head home

Take it home, now
The artist is indicating that they are ready to leave the bar and head home

That long, That long, long road
The artist is referring to the journey home, which might seem long and tiring

Let's leave it to it, Sleep tight
The conversation between the singer and John has ended, and the singer is wishing him a good night's sleep