Song of the night: “She’s Gone” by Blue Cartoon (1999)

Heard this song for the first time on a compilation power pop CD called “International Pop Overthrow” (the first of about 14 volumes so far, I think). This is by far the standout song on the disc. Songwriter John McElhenny was lead singer with Blue Cartoon on their first two albums, then amicably parted company with the band. He’s since re-recorded this with his new band Buzzie. Blue Cartoon’s version is still the best.

She’s alone
Pretty face
And a smile left out for me
She looks up
Penetrates the darkness around me
Surrounding me…

She’s gone – now I’m sorry she was ever here
She’s gone – now I’m wishing she would reappear
She’s gone – I was hurting even less
When she was here

I can still feel her near
And the taste of her perfume
On my tongue
In my bed
And in summer’s golden hue

We move on through the days
She was captured for a while
She was here yesterday
I don’t know if she’ll come today
Come today…

She’s gone – now I’m sorry she was ever here
She’s gone – now I’m wishing she would reappear
She’s gone – I was hurting even less
When she was here

She moves on
I’m alone
But it feels like yesterday
She was here
In my arms
But there’s nothing left to say

She’s gone – now I’m sorry she was ever here
She’s gone – now I’m wishing she would reappear
She’s gone – I was hurting even less
When she was here