I grew up in the country
About a mile from town
Felt like everybody knew me
And they all stuck around
My love said I'm a keeper
But I had to leave that place
So I rode off on the river
Let it carry me away

'Cause I heard there's so much more out there

I've seen New York City lights
Long Beach, California skies
Don't think there's anywhere in the world
Like my little hometown
I felt the high of a sold-out show
I heard a song on the radio
Nothing ever hit like her
Like my little hometown girl
Like my little hometown girl
Like my little hometown girl

I've been 'round the world, just searchin'
Looking for my place
Just a boy from Illinois
Feel like an alien from space
Said, I'd be back home by summer
Just a short blink of an eye
But I spent the last two winters
Dreamin' of downstate July

'Cause I heard there's so much more out there

I've seen New York City lights
Long Beach, California skies
Don't think there's anywhere in the world
Like my little hometown
I felt the high of a sold-out show
I heard a song on the radio
Nothing ever hit like her
Like my little hometown girl
Oh, like my little hometown girl
Oh, my little hometown girl

I've seen New York City lights
Long Beach, California skies
Don't think there's anywhere in the world
Like my little hometown
I felt the high of a sold-out show
I heard a song on the radio
Nothing ever hit like her
Like my little hometown girl