Elderly woman behind the counter in a small town

Vedder about "Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town": It's kind of about a lady, and she's getting on in years, and she's stuck in this small town. Small towns fascinate me: You either struggle like hell to get out, to some people want to stay 'cause then they're the big fish in the small pond, and then others just kind of get stuck there. So here she is working in this little place, and then an old flame comes in, and he's probably driving a nice car and looking kind of sharp—not a fancy car, but he's moved on. And then she sees him, and at first she doesn't even remember who he is, and then she realizes who it is. She's just too embarrassed to say 'hello.'

[Verse 1] I seem to recognize your face Haunting familiar, yet I can't seem to place it Cannot find the candle of thought to light your name Lifetimes are catching up with me All these changes taking place I wish I'd seen the place But no one's ever taken me [Chorus] Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away [Verse 2] I swear I recognize your breath Memories, like fingerprints, are slowly raising Me you wouldn't recall for I'm not my former It's hard when you're stuck upon the shelf I changed by not changing at all Small town predicts my fate Perhaps that's what no one wants to see [Bridge] I just want to scream, "Hello My god, its been so long, never dreamed you'd return But now here you are and here I am" Hearts and thoughts they fade away [Chorus] Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away Hearts and thoughts they fade away Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away Hearts and thoughts they fade...