Treat Me Mean, Keep Me Keen

She was born and raised in the USA
So she doesn't get my humor
And if I'd had charmed her with a simple joke
I couldn't have won her over sooner
Figured I'd show her a sight or two
Let her see the places I love

I said, "Hold on
I'll take your breath away"
But she just said she wants to go

She said she doesn't like the place where I grew up
She said the streets aren't kept too clean
And the city crowds who rush around
To get to places they don't want to be
I can see why you fit right in
As just another average Joe

I said, "Hold on
I'll take your breath away"
But she just said she wants to go

She treats me mean and keeps me keen
Treats me mean and keeps me keen
Softer side remains unseen
Still she treats me mean and keeps me keen

Said, "The air 'round here is just a smoker's cough
And there's too much substance to your culture
And the buildings full of their history
Make me feel jaded and older
All these 'Tall Tales and Rumours'
Are things I don't care to know"

I said, "Hold on
I'll take your breath away"
But she just said she wants to go

She treats me mean and keeps me keen
Treats me mean and keeps me keen
Softer side remains unseen
Still she treats me mean and keeps me keen

Well, I tune my guitar, and I strummed a chord
As her eyes began to flutter
Sung her an old country song
As she stood and stared in wonder
She said, "My boy
You got the blues, oh baby, you got soul
So hold on, you just took my breath away"
But I just said, "I think you should go"

We all stay mean and keep each other keen
All stay mean and keep each other keen
Softer sides remain unseen
'Cause we all stay mean to keep each other keen

Treat me mean and keep me keen
Treat me mean and keep me keen
Treat me mean and keep me keen
Treat me mean and keep me keen