[Verse 1]
Dusty hallway
Scuffed-up floor
Beat-up table
Right by the door
Backpacks piled
Shoes untied
We kept score
Like it changed our lives
Red-side paddle
Name on the wood
Saved my lunch money
‘Cause that one felt good
Click-clack echo
Through the walls
That was our stage
Plastic ball
[Pre-Chorus]
Teachers yelling
“Time for class!”
We just let one more serve fly past
Sweat on our sleeves
Late for the bell
Those were the days
I still can tell
[Chorus]
Paddles in the hallway
Rubber
Wood
And pride
Every spin a battle cry
We were legends in our minds
Metal hearts
Rock and roll
Pop songs humming in our souls
We grew up
But I still long
For who I was
Playing ping pong
[Verse 2]
All the cool kids
Brought their own gear
Cases zipped open
Like trophies each year
Black grip handle
Flashing red
You weren’t in the club
If you used the school set
Serving like it
Meant something more
Side to side
On that crooked board
Win
Lose
Laughter
Talking trash
Every point
A lightning flash
[Pre-Chorus]
Bell would ring and we’d still stay
Chasing one last rally play
Homework waiting in our bags
We were chasing different flags
[Chorus]
Paddles in the hallway
Rubber
Wood
And pride
Every spin a battle cry
We were legends in our minds
Metal hearts
Rock and roll
Pop songs humming in our souls
We grew up
But I still long
For who I was
Playing ping pong
[Bridge]
Now I pass a table in some bar (hey!)
And I’m right back in that yard
School shoes
Nervous hands
Funny how a serve could make you feel so large
[Chorus]
Paddles in the hallway
Rubber
Wood
And pride
Every spin a battle cry
We were legends in our minds
Metal hearts
Rock and roll
Pop songs humming in our souls
We grew up
But I still long
For who I was
Playing ping pong (oh yeah)
For who I was
Playing ping pong