Verse 1
He walks where the neon flickers low
Hat pulled down where the cold winds blow
Got a smile that bends but never stays
And a pocket full of borrowed days
He talks in riddles, deals in dust
Sells you gold but it turns to rust
Every promise comes with a twist
You don’t notice till it’s dismissed
Pre-Chorus
You hear his shoes on the midnight tile
Every truth stretched out a mile
Chorus
He’s the man in the side street shadow
Trading secrets nobody should know
Got a handshake slick as oil and sin
You don’t see the trap till you’re walking in
He’ll tip his hat, then he’s long gone fast
Leaves you counting ghosts from your past
If you see him smiling, better turn and run
From the shady deals of the shady one
Verse 2
He’s got a watch that don’t tell time
But it ticks when he’s chasing a dime
Knows every name that you never said
Reads your thoughts like a book half-read
Leaves footprints that fade in rain
Leaves you guessing what was his gain
Every alley whispers his name
Every victim tells the same
Pre-Chorus
Silver tongue and a paper crown
Builds you up just to tear you down
Chorus
He’s the man in the side street shadow
Trading secrets nobody should know
Got a handshake slick as oil and sin
You don’t see the trap till you’re walking in
He’ll tip his hat, then he’s long gone fast
Leaves you counting ghosts from your past
If you see him smiling, better turn and run
From the shady deals of the shady one
Bridge
Maybe he’s a rumor, maybe he’s real
Maybe he’s the scars that never heal
By the time you learn what he’s about
He’s already slipping out
Final Chorus
He’s the man in the side street shadow
Trading dreams for a heavy load
Got a whisper sharp as a knife within
Cuts you slow with a velvet grin
He’ll tip his hat, then he’s long gone fast
Leaves you drowning in the aftermath
If you see him smiling, better turn and run
From the shady deals of the shady one
Outro
Yeah, the streetlights flicker when he walks by…
And nobody knows…
But everybody lies…
