[Verse 1]
If life was simple
Every day like Sunday afternoon
There'd be no reason
To wake up, fight back, be a better you

[Pre-Chorus 1]
Come dance by the fire
'Til you're feeling higher
Than the State of Empire
Let that New York feeling
Kill your pain into your ears
Let the rhythm dry your tears
As the world stops

[Chorus]
And the band plays
Walking to the light all of a sudden
And the band plays
Always making something out of nothing
Turn your heartache into loving
And the band plays

[Verse 2]
Beware the straight roads
Or they'll catch you sleeping at the wheel
The warning sirens are more than sounds
There's something you can feel
[Pre-Chorus 2]
Come let down your hair
Let your despair be shared
You can dance in your bed
Let that downtown feeling
Kill your pain and all your fears
Let the rhythm dry your tears
As the work stops

[Chorus]
And the band plays
Walking to the light all of a sudden
And the band plays
We're always making something out of nothing
Turn your heartache into loving
And the band plays

[Chorus 2]
And the band plays
Boom boom boom
Pow wow wow
Crashing on the cymbals
And the band plays
Boom boom boom
Pow wow wow
Can you hear the trumpets
Screaming at the trombones
Walking to the light all of a sudden
And the band plays
You know we're always making something out of nothing
Turn your heartache into loving
And the band plays