This song characterizes the basketball player on the album cover.

The title is a reversal of the title of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel This Side of Paradise.

“This is musically my favorite track on the… Read More [Verse 1: Dave Bayley]

When I was young and stupid

My love left to be a rock and roll star

He told me, "Please, don't worry"

Wise little smile that spoke so safely

He booked a one-way ticket

Out west, that's where they make it

Six kids stuck in a bedsit

To sunswept poolside riches

[Verse 2: Dave Bayley]

He met a girl who wore Versace

Pink feather coats and jumbo jewelry​

Gonna be a hoop phenomenon

He's gonna be Hakeem Olajuwon

He's got a gold Camaro

He said over the payphone

I try to keep my cool, but

My life turns in slow motion

[Chorus: Dave Bayley]

Bye-bye, baby, blue

I wish you could see the wicked truth

Caught up in a rush, it's killin' you

Screamin' at the sun you blow into

Curled up in a grip when we were us

Fingers in a fist like you might run

I settle for a ghost I never knew

Super paradise I held on to

But, I settle for a ghost

[Verse 3: Dave Bayley]

Where I was from, in NOLA

No one left to be a rock and roll star

He'd stay and treat his lady

Give everything to his new baby

I miss him, don't you blame me?

That boy went stone cold crazy

Caught up in camera lust

He's chasin' that pappy pipe dream

[Bridge: Dave Bayley]

(Ooh, ooh)

I know you don't, but I—

I know you don't, but I still try

My thunder shook him down

My thunder came and shook him down

That girl is gone, but I—

That girl is gone, but I still try

I think it's over now

The bullet hit, but maybe not

I feel so fuckin' numb

It hits my head, and I feel numb

My body's lookin' wrong

My body's lookin' wrong

My body's lookin' wrong

[Chorus: Dave Bayley]

Bye-bye, baby, blue

I wish you could see the wicked truth

Caught up in a rush, it's killin' you

Screamin' at the sun you blow into

Curled up in a grip when we were us

Fingers in a fist like you might run

I settle for a ghost I never knew

Super paradise I held on to

But, I settle for a ghost