[Verse 1]
She was no marine back from the Philippines
She was their pride and joy, their incarnation
Her parents viewed the chief with shock and disbelief
Looking for some other explanation

[Verse 2]
The Indian on her back was poised for an attack
She said a tattoo is a badge of validation
But the truth of the matter is far more revealing
It's a permanent reminder of a temporary feeling

[Chorus 1]
Permanent reminder of a temporary feeling
Amnesiac episodes that never go away
It's no complex memento, it's not a subtle revealing
Just a permanent reminder of a temporary feeling

[Verse 3]
Vegas in the rain, drunk on cheap champagne
He hears out of tune synthesized chapel bells painfully ringing
Where's his limo ride, who's this foreign bride?
Is that really Elvis spinning around the ceiling?

[Chorus 2]
Permanent reminder of a temporary feeling
Forgotten fabrications in the chapels of love
What's this ring on his finger, why is he kneeling?
She's just a permanent reminder of a temporary feeling
[Bridge]
Chromosomes and genes spawn these fateful scenes
Evolution can be mean, there's no dumbass vaccine
Blame your DNA, you're a victim of your fate
It's human nature to miscalculate

[Verse 4]
To make up for the fight, they go out for the night
Sex, drugs, and rock n roll seem like the easiest answer
But a short nine months later, there's no way of concealing
That permanent reminder of a temporary feeling

[Chorus 3]
Permanent reminder of a temporary feeling
Amnesiac episodes that never go away
Complex mementos, not subtle revealings
Just a permanent reminder of a temporary feeling

[Refrain]
Permanent reminder of a temporary feeling
Permanent reminder of a temporary feeling