Can You Hear Me in the Back

Test, one, two
Can you hear me in the back?

Dad stood behind the mixing desk
In every bar that booked us twice
Coffee flask and a headlamp
Thumbs up meant the sound was right
I'd lean into the microphone
Before a single ticket sold
"Can you hear me in the back?"
He'd flash the light: "Loud and gold"

Now it's twenty thousand seats
And a stranger at the desk

Soundcheck (soundcheck)
Can you hear me in the back?
Every empty seat is ringing
With the voice you gave me, Dad

Soundcheck (soundcheck)
Can you hear me in the back?
One, two (can you hear me?)
One, two (in the back)

The engineer's name is Maria
She's got his habit with the fader
Squints at the meter when I'm pitchy
Grins and waves me through
I didn't tell her 'bout the headlamp
I didn't tell her 'bout the flask
But she looks up from the desk and asks
"Who's this one for?" and I tell her that

Soundcheck (soundcheck)
Can you hear me in the back?
Every empty seat is ringing
With the voice you gave me, Dad

Soundcheck (soundcheck)
Can you hear me in the back?

Doors at seven, lights go down
Somewhere past the last row
A small light blinks, it's just a phone
But I'm taking it as yes

Soundcheck (soundcheck)
Can you hear me in the back?
Twenty thousand voices singing
With the voice you gave me, Dad

Soundcheck (soundcheck)
I can hear you in the back

Test, one, two
Loud and gold