Lyrics

He awoke to find the taxi waiting.
Blowing smoke, the yellow paint was fading.
From the hallway, he can see the bag she packed.
Over his shoulder, he can hear her snore.
It was just one more thing she did behind his back.
When she wakes up this time. He’s finally showing her the door.

How I love to hate you.
Let me count the ways.
You’ve mastered ceasing to amaze.
All the plastic bag bouquets.
And other freshly picked clichés.
I’ll be sitting here counting down the days.
Until you leave.

Stale French toast, you can’t refrigerate it.
Blowing smoke, the coffee percolated.
Not unlike his heart, it was black and bitter, burned beyond repair,
But necessary for survival.
It was just one more thing he’d have to swallow down.
When she wakes up this time.
He’s finally telling her goodbye.

How I love to hate you.
Let me count the ways.
Never asking for a raise.
Unromantic getaways.
In gawdy Gatlinburg chalets.
I’ll be sitting here counting down the days,
Until you leave.

How I love to hate you.
Let me count the ways.
Anniversary delays.
From your obsessing over grays.
Tennessee whiskey serenades.

Blowing smoke, empty tinderboxes raided.
The parlor stove, popped and hissed and radiated.
That old Smoky Mountain iron,
It had weathered many seasons, salt and tears,
And still its best years lay ahead.
Give it one more day and let it permeate, just a little bit.
A little bit before you have to leave.
Before you have to go.

Let me count the ways.
All the take-out holidays,
The way you swirl your Chardonnay,
In styrofoam on TV trays.
You’re really awful at charades.
You like floats but not parades.
You leave salmon out for strays.
The way you spread your mayonnaise.
I’ll be sitting here counting every day.
Till you leave.
Until you have to go.