Annotated lyrics for The Hold Steady song 'Denver Haircut' - He shaved his head at the airport / In a bar at the end of the concourse. / He said you're kind of catching me at a transitional time. / I'm a bright light burning into a dark horse. / She said I'll strap on the saddle. / And I'm sorry but this city's a cesspool. / I've kissed and I've cackled with half of these jackals. / Still couldn't get any jet fuel. / Walked her out to the taxis. Took her out to some parties. / Found a man with a handful huddled over some car keys. / It doesn't have to be pure. / It doesn't have to be perfect. / Just sort of has to be worth it. / A Residence Inn at the top of the exit. / You pay the admission and here's what you get. / The stench of death in the credits. / The montage set to the time of your life. / A shot in the dark in a bar that's too bright. / A window sucking up all the available light, right? / And a clock on the bed stand with a cord to connect it. / Liberty and Justice into Master of Puppets. / Rolling off of the mattress. Waking up on the carpet. / It shouldn’t have to be perfect. / He said he can't read the paper. It's not worth the trouble. / Finds out about funerals from the blasts of the bugles. / Wherever he goes he always orders the usual. / He likes to see what they'll bring him. / In five hours on the carpet / He visits six different planets. / On a spaceship shaped like a Gibson Marauder / The pilot kinda looked like Kirk Hammett. / While he was floating in space that chick took his wallet. / Wasn't really a date. Wasn't sure what to call it. / That same stupid feeling but he likes his new haircut. / It doesn’t have to be pure. / It doesn't have to be perfect. / Just sort of has to be worth it.