John Prine
The Other Side of Town
Why must you always seem to criticize me?
Seems like everything I do just turns out wrong
Why don't you come on out and despise me?
So I could pack my bag and, baby, I'd be gone
Remember when you used to call me honey?
Well, I'd turn around and call you honey too
You might think it's a joke, but it ain't funny
To hurt someone who's so in love with you
A clown puts his makeup on upside down
So he wears a smile even when he wears a frown
You might think I'm here when you put me down
But actually I'm on the other side of town
My body's in this room with you just catching hell
But my soul is drinking beer down the road a spell
You might think I'm listening to your grocery list
But I'm leaning on a jukebox and I'm about halfway there
A clown puts his makeup on upside down
So he wears a smile even when he wears a frown
You might think I'm here when you put me down
But actually I'm on the other side of town
I'm sittin' on a chair just behind my ear
Playing dominoes and drinking some ice cold beer
When you get done talking, I'll come back downstairs
And assume the body of the person you presume who cares
A clown puts his makeup on upside down
So he wears a smile even when he wears a frown
You might think I'm here when you put me down
But actually I'm on the other side of town
I'm across the river on the other side of town
In my mind I'm going to the dog-racing side of town