Story Behind The Song

I heard someone say "Yeah, but is it safe", and I grabbed that, and the rest is history.

Song Description

A guy is just inquiring as to where the safest hangout bar is, being a stranger in town. He's looking for a good safe bar in the world of drinks and slot machines and meets a call girl who tells him where not to visit. She takes a fancy to him hence "You'll be safe being stranded with the likes of me, the likes of me".

Lyrics

Safe Like...

[Verse 1]
She said, "Come on down, it's a crowded cool scene. Let's dive into the world of drinks and slot machines."
Neon's buzzin' like a string of bug zappers. Bartender's mixin drinks and couldn't be happier.
A Hooker is preachin wearing denim and gin, tellin tall tales 'bout places she's been.
I asked, "Is it safe?" She laughed through her smoke.
"Safe like a promise from a man who's broke."

[Chorus]
Safe like a prayer in a poker hall,
Safe like a ladder that is way too tall.
Safe like shoutin in a quiet library
Safe like a whisper when the sound can carry,
Safe like a seatbelt made of string,
Safe like a church with a gambling wing.
You want comfort? You want grace?
Try finding that in a two-bit place.

[verse 2]
He wore a badge from a cereal box, Said, "I keep the peace with my fellow cops."
His dog had a limp and a big gold tooth, He sniffed out lies and inconvenient truth.
As a rap song finished rattlin' the place, then came the hush of "Amazing Grace".
Again, I asked, "Is this place safe and legit?" He said, "Safe like a candle in a nitro pit."

[Chorus]
Safe like a prayer in a poker hall,
Safe like a ladder that is way too tall.
Safe like shoutin in a quiet library
Safe like a whisper when the sound can carry,
Safe like a seatbelt made of string,
Safe like a church with a gambling wing.
You want comfort? You want grace?
Try finding that in a two-bit place.

[Bridge]
Safe like sushi from a roadside stand...
Safe like a passport drawn in crayon by hand...
Safe like taking eggs from an alligator...
Or a shoelace caught in an escalator.
Safe like Fresno when the fog rolls in.
Safe like ridin' on a shark's top fin.
You want comfort? You want grace?
Try finding that in a two-bit place.

[verse 3]
Now I sit with my back up against the wall, countin' the exits and watching shadows crawl.
She's gone, the crowd's a blur of sin, but I keep coming back, again and again.
'Cause safe ain't soft, and safe ain't sweet. It's just the lie we tell when we can't retreat.
So, pour me some danger, neat and raw, I'll toast to the chaos and the last hurrah.

[outro]
Safe like a baby in a lion's den,
Safe like trustin' fate with a ballpoint pen.
If you're lookin' for peace, then look at me.
Cuz I'm safe like a track star with a broken knee...
You'll be safe being stranded with the likes of me, the likes of me...

[End]