Looked Good On Paper
He looked good on paper
a wonderful life
an Ivy League lawyer
an Ivy League wife
a big house out in Aspen
in East Hampton, too
a ten room apartment
West End Avenue
You might be thinking
what's the story in this
well you see, she was drinking
the first time they kissed
the evening was foggy
but the morning was clear
she woke up groggy thinking
what am I doing here?
She should not have walked away
she should have run
when he asked her to stay
she thought she was the lucky one
he was misunderstood
by everyone around him
as they grew closer
she inched out on that limb
Distracted by silver
dazzled by gold
she touched many things
she thought she never could hold
a guest at the table
she was just passing through
your perspective gets twisted
when this happens to you
The years slid by quickly
til she woke up one day
her heart was telling her
you can't keep living this way
so she pressed for an answer
looked deep in his eyes
she knew she was the only one
he didn't tell lies
And he says 'please be patient
these changes take time'
as he uncorks another bottle of wine
she admires the bouquet
and takes a long sip
makes plans for the next
clandestine trip
And he tells her he loves her
and squeezes her hand
but he's got to go home now
she understands
she stares out the window
sees the cab pull away
she wants to go with him
but that won't happen today
And it won't happen tomorrow
or the day after that
he's content with this set-up
he plans to stand pat
but he throws her a bone
whenever she cries
and adds her to the list
of those he tells lies
But it's never too late
to reclaim when your soul
even when misguided love
has taken its toll
he did not believe her
when she said goodbye
he wanted to stop her
but he was too proud to try [KEY CHANGE]
She's on her own now
on the surface she's fine
but in a weak moment
she reflects on that time
he appears in her dreams
and she wakes up in tears
the lonely sound of her heartbeat
taps into deep fears
But she keeps on moving
reconnects with old friends
while he's taken up
with a young thing again
who's impressed with his money
and his station in life
and doesn't care at all about,
you know, the wife
This story's played over
hundreds of times
we hear warning bells
and we see danger signs
we think we are different
but we end up the same
we must look in the mirror
for the person to blame
He looked good on paper
a wonderful life
an Ivy League lawyer
an Ivy League wife
a big house in Aspen
East Hampton, too
a ten room apartment
West End Avenue
You might be thinking
what's the story in this?
I admit I was drinking
the first time we kissed
the evening was foggy
but the morning was clear
I woke up groggy thinking
what am I doing here?
what am I doing here?
what was I doing there?
a wonderful life
an Ivy League lawyer
an Ivy League wife
a big house out in Aspen
in East Hampton, too
a ten room apartment
West End Avenue
You might be thinking
what's the story in this
well you see, she was drinking
the first time they kissed
the evening was foggy
but the morning was clear
she woke up groggy thinking
what am I doing here?
She should not have walked away
she should have run
when he asked her to stay
she thought she was the lucky one
he was misunderstood
by everyone around him
as they grew closer
she inched out on that limb
Distracted by silver
dazzled by gold
she touched many things
she thought she never could hold
a guest at the table
she was just passing through
your perspective gets twisted
when this happens to you
The years slid by quickly
til she woke up one day
her heart was telling her
you can't keep living this way
so she pressed for an answer
looked deep in his eyes
she knew she was the only one
he didn't tell lies
And he says 'please be patient
these changes take time'
as he uncorks another bottle of wine
she admires the bouquet
and takes a long sip
makes plans for the next
clandestine trip
And he tells her he loves her
and squeezes her hand
but he's got to go home now
she understands
she stares out the window
sees the cab pull away
she wants to go with him
but that won't happen today
And it won't happen tomorrow
or the day after that
he's content with this set-up
he plans to stand pat
but he throws her a bone
whenever she cries
and adds her to the list
of those he tells lies
But it's never too late
to reclaim when your soul
even when misguided love
has taken its toll
he did not believe her
when she said goodbye
he wanted to stop her
but he was too proud to try [KEY CHANGE]
She's on her own now
on the surface she's fine
but in a weak moment
she reflects on that time
he appears in her dreams
and she wakes up in tears
the lonely sound of her heartbeat
taps into deep fears
But she keeps on moving
reconnects with old friends
while he's taken up
with a young thing again
who's impressed with his money
and his station in life
and doesn't care at all about,
you know, the wife
This story's played over
hundreds of times
we hear warning bells
and we see danger signs
we think we are different
but we end up the same
we must look in the mirror
for the person to blame
He looked good on paper
a wonderful life
an Ivy League lawyer
an Ivy League wife
a big house in Aspen
East Hampton, too
a ten room apartment
West End Avenue
You might be thinking
what's the story in this?
I admit I was drinking
the first time we kissed
the evening was foggy
but the morning was clear
I woke up groggy thinking
what am I doing here?
what am I doing here?
what was I doing there?
© Christine Lavin Music (ASCAP) administered by Bug Music