Lyrics of 'The Clock Was Tickin'' by Brandon Flowers

Teacher had you write a letter, you were eight-years-old
About the man that you'd become and the positions you'd hold
But this was long before you and Jackie Geronimo
Met in the Prelude Park at midnight
Now, when it came to bells and whistles, Jackie did not lack
When she kissed on the kisser, boy, you kissed her back
Now you tell her that you love her and she cuts you slack
When you drink with your buddies on the weekend

And the weeks fly by, and the years roll on
You spend your whole life dropping nickels in the bucket
Waking up at dawn
While Jackie bestowed the joys of finger licking
The clock upon the wall was tickin'

You got yourself a job cleaning hospital floors
But Jackie had a baby, and she had five more
They pay you just enough to drag your ass to the store
To buy bread, milk and Better Homes and Gardens

Jackie flips the pages and she dreams little dreams
A cottage in the country, built with real wood beams
There's a baby in the bedroom, he's starting to scream
She holds him, though he probably won't remember

And the weeks fly by, and the years roll on
Sometimes, dreams are all you've got
To keep you going when the day gets long
And you gave up so many just to make a living
That clock upon the wall was tickin'

Now, the kids were all grateful when they left the nest
And Jackie wasn't perfect, but she did her best
You seized the opportunity to get you some rest
But you can't sleep on the count of screaming grandkids

The golden years are meant to leave a gleam in your eye
You're starting to discover it's a great big lie
They work you like a dog till you quit or you die
But you can't quit, 'cause Jackie needs the benefits

And the weeks fly by, and the years roll on
They say patience is a virtue, but the doctor says
She don't have long
And you stood up and tried your damn just not to listen
But that clock upon the wall was tickin'

When they told you to clear the room, that's when it hit you
You watched as a caravan took your sweetheart away
The arguments and fights and money troubles seemed so worthless
As the kids throw yellow roses on her grave

And the weeks fly by, and the years roll on
House is quiet now, everything inside
Seems to know she's gone
There's a picture of you both sixteen-years-old kissing
And that clock upon the wall was tickin'

You always thought you'd had a chance
But it was somewhere hid
Now, you come to the conclusion
That you never did
(Have a chance, now)