A studio recording from 2003 with Jack Smith on piano and organ, and Scott Olson on drums. I play acoustic guitar, dobro, and bass. Produced by Tom Day for Wirebender Productions.

» highest in charts:   # 200   (38,111 songs currently listed in Blues)
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This song took a long time to get written. The guitar part came first, and I was told several times by different people, “You should really do something with that.” I was living in a second floor apartment at that time, and one night I heard something that could have been a gunshot. I turned off the light so I wouldn’t be silhouetted in the window when I looked out. I didn’t see anything…but I had the inspiration for the first verse. Then I was stuck.



In 2002, we bought a house just on the edge of downtown St. Paul. From our front door, you can literally see “the city below”. That inspired me to write the rest of the song. I love my house, I love my wife…and I love the city I was born in, the good and bad alike.

Heard a loud low noise
Late last night outside my window
Could have been a backfire
Could have been a blown tire
Might have been a young one
Walking out on the high wire
But I don’t know
No, I don’t know
Because I turned off my lights
And sat in the dark and listened
To the city below

Been fifteen years since I
Moved back here to stay
The town that put me right
Showed me the light
The place I was born one summer night
Long ago
So long ago
And when the nights are cool
I go outside and look out
On the city below

When I see you in the morning
With the sunlight on your hair
I am filled with emotion
Deep as the ocean
And amazed at how much I care
I love you so
I love you so
And you take my hand
And we walk in step together
In the city below