Kokomo

I told some friends you came from Gary
Though your home was Naptown
Last time I saw you was in New York City
Leaving on a Greyhound, home abound
I gave you what I had in my pocket
Enough for candy bars and beer
Then I waved goodbye with a low-down feeling
Still, I held back to tears

I started thinking 'bout ya up in Milwaukee
It was raining when we reached Chicago
But the tears didn't start rolling down my cheeks
'Til we rolled in a Kokomo
Kokomo

No one I know who ever met you
Could resist the way you sang and played
None of us will ever forget you
We all just wished you to stay, to share the music you made
You told me you was gonna stop smoking cigarettes
And buy a good-looking car
You used to sing about your dreams coming true
We thought you'd go so far

I started thinking 'bout ya up in Milwaukee
It was raining when we reached Chicago
But the tears didn't start rolling down my cheeks
'Til we rolled into Kokomo
Kokomo

First time you came overseas, you was only 17
Playing the blues in Yan Rachel's Band
You was happy to be heard and seen, hungry and lean
Next time around, you was on your own
Making a name for yourself
Now all is left is the love in our hearts
And some real to real tapes on my shelf

I started thinking 'bout ya up in Milwaukee
It was raining when we reached Chicago
But the tears didn't start rolling down my cheeks
'Til we rolled into Kokomo
Kokomo

Ya know the tears didn't start rolling down my cheeks
'Til we rolled in a Kokomo
Mm-mm, mm
Kokomo, Kokomo
Mm, Kokomo