Story Behind The Song

Written driving from Kidron, OH to Pittsburgh, PA. This was recorded live on WXPN, Philly.

Lyrics

there's a place I know where they clean cars, and
for not much dough, they really clean the inside of my car,
and when I go, they say, "what about the outside, Joe?"
I say, "no, just do the inside," because
any day a storm is coming it will wash away,
the dirt and droppings and
on that day my car will shine like summer,
right after it rains..

there's a place I go to be reminded and sing
songs I know, maybe say a prayer for someone,
now I don't know if that's enough religion,
sometimes faith feels more like a strong suspicion
that any day grace is coming it will wash away,
the shame and longing,
and on that day my heart will shine like summer,
right after it rains..
don't say, never say "no," 'cause we don't know, no,
this world is strange and getting stranger as we go,
with one destination, though I dearly love the road..

past an empty bus that once held children,
past a "For Sale" sign in a broken window,
there's a sign says "Rough Road," and a sign for the "Narrow Bridge"
and it's just enough, I suppose it's always been..
any day love is coming, it will wash away
this empty feeling, and
on that day we're gonna shine like summer,
right after it rains, on that day
you & I will shine like summer, right after it rains..