I flew to Memphis in a two-seat plane
touch down in the pouring rain
400 miles across the South
still had the taste of bourbon in my mouth

a leather jacket, guitar case
said I'll make a record and we'll leave this place
stood on the runway, it was time to go
but it was four in the morning before you told me no

an empty bottle, an empty seat
Mississippi River running under my feet
flew to Memphis in a two-seat plane without you

and now I'm standing on the I-40 bridge
a long, long way from blue valley ridge
tonight I'm soaking up the memphis rain alone

flew to Memphis in a two-seat plane
touch down in the pouring rain
I got a pocket full of wet cigarettes
and a heart that hasn't given up yet

the town's asleep, I'm all alone
would it kill you Kate to pick up the phone?
we been together since we met at school
but now your hometown hero's just a cold, wet fool

Chorus

tonight I'm feeling like I'm better off dead
Mississippi River running over my head
flew to Memphis in a two-seat plane alone
touch down in the pouring rain alone

well, I flew to Memphis in a two-seat plane