Lyrics
[Verse 1] Meatpacking, ’99 Smoke curling up to the chandeliers
I had a glass of something cold
And a room full of strangers in my ears
You were standing by the column
In a mini dress and a quiet kind of cool
While the world was selling diamonds
You were just being beautiful
[Pre-Chorus] Bouncer leaned in close, said her name’s Celeste
Flew in from Sydney, doesn’t know the rest
And I’m watching all this glitter
But you’re the girl who passed my test
[Chorus] Ohhh, Celeste
Why didn’t you cross the floor?
I was lost inside the dazzle
And you were what I’m searching for
The girl with the easy laughter
The kind I needed most
Ce-le-e-este, where’d you go, my ghost?
[Verse 2] Now it’s twenty-seven summers
And the mirror’s still my friend
Private island, empty hammock
Same questions in the wind
There’s a yes-man on the satellite
A model on the phone
But the only voice I’m hearin’
Is a memory walkin’ home
I see you in a kitchen
Steam risin’ off the tea
A husband, a daughter, a quiet life
The one that wasn’t me
[Bridge] If I could send a letter
To a younger, blinder man
I’d say cross the room, fool
Take her trembling hand
’Cause the loudest rooms are lonely
And the realest things are still
And she came in like a whisper
That I never got to hear
[Chorus] Ohhh, Celeste
Wherever you are tonight
I hope your girl is sleepin’ sound
And your kitchen’s warm with light
And if you ever hear this song
On the radio someday
Know a man on an island
Still thinks about that lovely name
Ce-le-e-este
[Outro] Mmm, Celeste
Shoulda crossed the room, baby
Shoulda crossed the room
Yeah, oh yeah
The realest one I ever saw
And I let her walk on through
Ohhh