[Verse 1]
You left your coat on the kitchen chair
Mud on the cuffs, cold in the air
The radio coughed through a borrowed song
I counted the minutes till the night was gone
[Pre-Chorus]
You said, "Don't wait up"
I said, "I won't"
But the hallway kept your shape
Like a promise made of smoke
[Chorus]
Come back loud, come back mean
Cut through everything between
I don't need a clean excuse
I need the truth you never use
Come back loud, come back mean
Tell me where you've really been
If we're breaking, break it here
Don't leave me talking to an empty chair
[Verse 2]
Your brother called from the payphone line
Said you were fine, but he wouldn't say where or why
A matchbook fell from your old blue jeans
Three numbers, one name, and a town I'd never seen
[Pre-Chorus]
You said, "Don't wait up"
I said, "I won't"
Still your key is in the lock
And my hand is on the phone
[Chorus]
Come back loud, come back mean
Cut through everything between
I don't need a clean excuse
I need the truth you never use
Come back loud, come back mean
Tell me where you've really been
If we're breaking, break it here
Don't leave me talking to an empty chair
[Bridge]
The neighbors heard us through the wall
Your picture slipped and hit the floor
I won't dress this up as love
Not anymore, not anymore
[Instrumental]
[Final Chorus]
Come back loud, come back mean
Cut through everything between
I don't need a clean excuse
I need the truth you never use
Come back loud, come back mean
Tell me where you've really been
If we're breaking, break it here
Don't leave me talking to an empty chair
[Outro]
Your coat is still on the kitchen chair
Your coat is still on the kitchen chair
But you are gone, and I am here