Story Behind The Song

Lizard originally had an idea for a prostitute to be in a bar talking to the bartender and we softened it a bit and took off from there.

Song Description

A bartender and a patron are discussing a "regular" who comes in and dances alone, pretending he has a partner. Turns out his first date ended in a fatal car crash and he forever dreams of his first love who had a rose in her hair for the dance. At end of song, the bartender finds a rose on the floor leaving us to wonder if she really was there.

Lyrics

NOBODY THERE
(Case/Allen/Flowerree)

Carla lights up, says to Billy the barkeep
"Crazy Walter, he's at it again
Out on the dance floor twirling around
Just look at the shape that he's in
He'll tell us that story that we know by heart
'Bout the girl with the rose in her hair
One of these days we should probably tell him the truth
There's nobody there"

Nobody there
But you would swear
He's holdin' somebody tonight

Walter comes in each weeknight at ten
Slides into the same vinyl booth
He'll sit there alone and not say a word
Just stare at his gin and vermouth
But after a while, he'll say, "You look lovely"
Tonight with that rose in your hair
He'll head for the dance floor caressing his fantasy
We all see nobody there

Nobody there
But you would swear
He's holdin' somebody tonight

Sixteen, stringbean
Out with a girl on a dare
Young love ends up
A wreck on a highway somewhere

Carla stands up, holds open the door
Says, "Walter I'll give you a ride"
Last call is done, everyone's gone
And Billy turns down the lights
He's sweepin' the place up and counting the tip jar
Wonderin' what he's workin' for
But his whole world stops on a dime
When he sees a rose on the floor

Nobody there
But you would swear
He was holdin' somebody tonight

© Lizardville Music(ASCAP)/Little Tin God Music(ASCAP)/Flinging Buddha Music(BMI)