Meter Still Running

[Intro] Beautiful morning. Little sunshine, little sea breeze Let's see what we can't afford today. [Verse 1] Pulled into the station with a twenty and a prayer, Watched the little numbers eat my money standing there. Bought enough to make it to the job and back again, So I can earn the money that'll get me there again. Radio man says everything's fine, Maybe he should take this grocery list of mine. Put the coffee back, let the checkout lady know— She said, "Honey, half this town's been doing so." [Chorus] And the meter keeps running, Even when we're standing still. Got a pocketful of Monday And a Friday stack of bills. They keep selling us tomorrow, I need something here today. Got the whole world in my rearview— Still can't drive away. [Verse 2] Smoke over Tehran on the little kitchen screen, Then a smiling politician tells us what it means. Shipping lanes and missiles, oil running through the news, By the time it hits the pump, it's coming out of you. Diesel feeds the truck that brings the dinner to the store, Every little mile takes a little something more. Guy in line is angry, clerk is almost crying— Neither one of them's the reason prices keep on climbing. [Chorus] And the meter keeps running, Even when we're standing still. Got a pocketful of Monday And a Friday stack of bills. They keep selling us tomorrow, I need something here today. Got the whole world in my rearview— Still can't drive away. [Dub Break] Round and round Work to drive and drive to work. Round and round Tell me what the overtime is worth. [Bridge] Neighbor brought some oranges, I brought over rice. Sat out on the busted steps And ate before the night. For an hour we were people, Not a balance overdue. Funny how a little kindness Does what all that talk can't do. [Punk Break] Don't sell me another enemy! Don't tell me who to blame! There's a kid beneath those sirens Who never chose this game! You can dress it up in slogans, You can polish every lie— But a speech won't fill a stomach And a flag won't tell us why! [Final Chorus] And the meter keeps running, But tonight we're sitting down. Passing plates across the porch While the sun slips out of town. They keep selling us tomorrow, We keep making it through today. Got the whole world on our shoulders— Help me take a little weight. [Outro] Beautiful evening. Still broke. Leave the gate open. There's enough for one more.