Years ago in my hometown I was a headstrong girl and a heartstrong one 

We'd ride all summer with the top rolled down through the sleepy streets of that Jersey town 

Now I knew girls when I was sixteen 

Could make a smart boy stutter, turn a nice boy mean 

And the boys made the girls into homecoming queens 

Married each other instead of their dreams



These days I'm mostly out on my own 

Looking for someplace that I can call home 

Late at night, or just before dawn 

I pretend you're with me now 

It never seemed that hard before 

What happened to that hometown girl?



The seasons changed in my hometown 

The way they changed in yours 

The windows opened up to the Spring 

Like every spring before 

And I ran with boys who weren't like you 

I was young but somehow I knew 

The difference between a man and a fool 

Sometimes I think that could have been you



These days I'm mostly out on my own 

Looking for someplace that I can call home 

Late at night, or just before dawn 

I pretend you're with me now 

It never seemed that hard before 

What happened to that hometown girl?



Hometown girls are like hometown dreams 

Some start fading, others stay keen 

I won't forget you but I'll let you be 

Love never was that kind to me



Late at night or just before down 

I pretend you're with me now 

You had your madness and you had your charm

But only when your heart allowed

And my heart just won't allow no more 

What happened to that hometown girl?