Years ago in my hometown I was a headstrong girl and a heart-strong 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

[Chorus]
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

[Chorus]

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 dawn
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?

Copyright: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Writer(s): MARY CARPENTER, MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER