ballpoint pens archive

lyrics

let’s say we get back on the right track
let’s say we get back on the road
come back and see me on the right track
i’m sure that you’ll be impressed ‘fore long

come back and see me when i’m healthy
come back and see me when i’m gone
’cause i won’t be here healthy long
come back and see me when i’m gone

you don’t know when i’ll be back for summer
you don’t know when i’ll be back for long
come back and see me when i’m healthy
come back and see me before i’m gone

yeah, i’m gone
before i’m gone

I chose to end this collection with Ross’s unaltered original recording of “the right track.” It’s a bittersweet goodbye, full of hope and despair.

During the intro, you can hear ice cubes clinking. I wasn’t with Ross when he recorded any of this material, but when I hear that sound, I can so clearly picture him in his room, putting down his drink and leaning into the laptop to sing.