Not the Gold, but the Scar

Lyrics

[Verse 1] I learned the shape of hunger in a rented room Three chords, a cracked amp, and a borrowed afternoon The landlord kept the power, the neighbors kept the score I kept a map of every town taped to the door [Pre-Chorus] If I fall, let the feedback mark the place I’d rather lose my voice than lose the chase [Chorus] I love the life of a rock star Not the gold, but the scar Every mile leaves a mark on me Every stage says who I am I love the life of a rock star Burning bright, breaking hard When the last light fades away I’ll still have something left to say [Verse 2] A midnight diner coffee and a blood-red morning sky A stranger knows the chorus, and I don’t ask them why My sister calls on Sundays, says, “Come home before you’re gone” I tell her I’m still searching for the place I’m meant to land [Pre-Chorus] If I bend, let the old strings pull me straight There’s no quiet way to carry this kind of weight [Chorus] I love the life of a rock star Not the gold, but the scar Every mile leaves a mark on me Every stage says who I am I love the life of a rock star Burning bright, breaking hard When the last light fades away I’ll still have something left to say [Bridge] Maybe fame is just a mirror with a stranger in the glass Maybe every roaring crowd is asking how long this can last But I can feel the floorboards shake beneath my battered feet And for one more honest minute, I’m exactly where I need to be [Guitar Solo] [Final Chorus] I love the life of a rock star Not the gold, but the scar Every mile leaves a mark on me Every stage says who I am I love the life of a rock star Burning bright, breaking hard When the last light fades away I’ll still have something left to say [Outro] When the cables cool and the empty rooms are dark I’ll carry every chorus like a match inside my heart