I stepped off the Metro late
To meet you there outside Deansgate
We headed into the Knott Bar for a catch-up drink
Discussing our new jobs now we're 30-somethings
We were sipping our Corona and limes
Spying the new towers scraping the skyline

We walked up town to catch a show
Paid our two pounds to get into Satan's Hollow
You wanted out for a cigarette
We went outside, bumped into our friends
And remembered how we spent summer nights sat in the dark
Splayed on the grass that is now a car park

Things have changed so much since
In this city under constant construction
Our memories stay in this town
But the cranes just keep on comin' around, around, around, around

We stepped out to get some food
Turned right down Abingdon, left on Bloom
There was a vigil there on Sackville Street
People holding up candles, staring at their feet
The Thompsons Arms and Chorlton Street station
They're all earmarked for regeneration

So the developers pillage
All the high-rises springing up round the Village
Where we celebrate Pride
But who'll be left when there's no soul left inside?

And I remember that venue
I remember that great show that we went to
Where did that place go?
Now it's turned into a Tesco
Here's to new places like YES
Here's to the old ones we haven't quite lost yet
Oh, but haven't you learned?
It's important to never forget

They could knock it down if they wanted to

Constant Construction (Demo)

I stood in Sacred Trinity
For what felt like an infinity
Waiting for the first band to play

I watched those kids get on stage
With their swish hair cuts and bad band name
And felt glad as they blew us away

I can't help when I head to a show
But think of all the people that I wish I could know
In Amsterdam, Athens and around the world
Hidden like that great song you've never heard
There's someone out there who would love you
There's someone out there who would love you
There's someone out there who would love you
If they only knew who you were

I stood in Sacred Trinity
For what felt like an infinity
Thinking of the doctrine of three

The first was me there standing alone
The second, you checking your phone
The third was the friends we could be

I can't help when I head to a show
But think of all the people that I wish I could know
In Amsterdam, Athens and around the world
Hidden like that great song you've never heard
There's one new friend who would love you
There's two good friends who would love you
There's three great friends who would love you
If they only knew who you were

And I don't mind if it takes a long, long time
For you to figure out your life
But you should know that when you're ready to go
I'll be right there waiting, excited for you to blow my mind

I can't help when I head to a show
But think of all the people that I wish I could know
In Amsterdam, Athens and around the world
Hidden like that great song you've never heard
There are a hundred people who'd love you
There are a thousand people who'd love you
There are a million people who'd love you
If they only knew who you were

Image credit: Edward Smith

21st Century Towers

Popular tracks