[Verse 1]
Seventeen when I found out
What they write all those songs about
With my heart ripped out my chest
I found somewhere I could rest
Found out I could bleed on paper
Turning a song into my savior

[Pre-Chorus]
Tales of the young, drunk, and broken-hearted
Caught in between that bullet and target
Honest, I almost lost it

[Chorus]
Small town love, it changed my life
The way you did me wrong but made me write
I get to live these dreams from nightmares you put me through (Me through)
Small town love, it changed my life
The way you did me wrong but made me write
I get to live these dreams from nightmares you put me through
'Cause that's what the pain will do

[Verse 2]
Thinking that nobody would get it
I was wounded and defensive, I was headed for a breakdown
I was a wild adolescent
So much damage I prevented when I learned to write it all down
Don't think I woulda changed one thing; if I did, would I be who I am?
'Cause I know you made a fool of me but the last laugh's in my hands
[Pre-Chorus]
Tales of the young, drunk, and broken-hearted
Caught in between that bullet and target
Honest, I almost lost it

[Chorus]
Small town love, it changed my life
The way you did me wrong but made me write
I get to live these dreams from nightmares you put me through (Me through)
Small town love, it changed my life
The way you did me wrong but made me write
I get to live these dreams from nightmares you put me through
'Cause that's what the pain will do
'Cause that's what the pain will do
'Cause that's what the pain will do