Playing to an empty room Just you tell yourself That they’re coming soon Why do you try so hard? Then there are the other nights When the crowd’s so loud And they will not keep it down So why do you try so hard

When you give it all And it goes unheard Insincere applause Only makes it worse
On the road this long Never got too far So why, why do you try so hard?

They’re paying you to entertain To do the song that everybody plays Why do you try so hard I swear to God I’ll go insane If I have hear, Valerie again Why do you try so hard

You’re the salt of the earth, you’re the prodigal son And, you never quit till the job is donee On the road this long Never got too far So why, why do you try so hard?

Playing to an empty room Just you tell yourself That they’re coming soon Why do you try so hard? If there’s something that you want to say Better play it safe, better save it for another day Why do you try so hard?

When you give it all And it goes unheard Insincere applause Only makes it worse
On the road this long Never got too far So why, why do you try so hard?