Sandusky, Ohio

[ Tommy returns from college to his hometown, ready to prove he’s not a screw-up as he takes a prominent role at his father’s company ] Gentlemen, raise your glass to long nights I can't recall I finally cleared a path with good friends to break my fall They thought I was good for nothing Said “Hurry up, or you’ll be late for school again” But I’ll have a brand new start I'm gonna play my part in sweet Sandusky I’ve never had a plan, but found ways the rules could bend but I’ve been an honest man, with a good heart, an ear to lend That’s gotta count for something I’ve got a feeling something great will come along There’s no other way to be, and I know The old man has saved me a seat in Sandusky I’m gonna amount to something If only my mom could see me now, well I guess she can (I know she can) And we’ll have a brand new start in sweet Sandusky

[ Tommy’s old schoolmate, Richard, who also works at the company, resents the obvious nepotism at play in Tommy’s hiring, as well as Tommy’s effortless rapport with other employees. In the second half, Tommy explains how his mother’s death set him adrift in his teenage years and into college ] For three years now, while you’ve been tapping kegs I’ve been working towards an early grave Still seems like no one knows my name But everybody loves you Change the mood when you come through the factory But you won’t see me smile Golden child I’ve seen you slacking off since second grade Cause your daddy paid your way Pulled out my hair to keep my GPA Doesn’t everyone? Oh right, not you Life’s a cinch, just spare an inch for Tommy and he’ll take a mile Golden Child We’d be better off without you The world’s just one big cow tip in Sandusky You’re not seeing that your old man’s getting rusty And I’ve got your file Golden child My mother passed when I was 17 And Dad stayed busy at the factory I couldn’t focus, couldn’t fall asleep The teachers saw this and they let it slide Til I ran out of good places to hide I tried to tune out and enjoy the ride But now I’m home, and all the race is run I cried to hear my Dad has found someone I’ll gain a brother and he’ll gain a son And we’re back We’ll all find someone new And I’ll be happy too, I will We’re gonna be a family

[ Tommy’s father suddenly dies during his own wedding reception, and Tommy has to reconsider his future at the company now without his father at his side. He decides to do his best to fill his dad’s shoes. ] The storm rolled away on my old man’s wedding day He smiled and straightened my tie It was the last day of his life As the band began to play, I was floating away But with his heart’s final pound Felt my two feet on the ground Now I’m lost again Sandusky called to me to come back home Can’t shake the only fate I’ve ever know Joy and pride working side by side Now I’m the only one Now I need to be alone On the sand, skipping stones Simple things set me free On the shores of Lake Erie And the storm’s kept at bay So it’s anchors aweigh I would take to the seas If I only had a breeze I could sail away Sandusky, I don’t want to be alone Can’t shake the only fate I’ve ever known If this town needs to turn around Guess I’m the only one

[ Tommy and Richard hit the road to try to sell enough brake pads to save the company, and have to stay optimistic through numerous rejections ] You and me Driving away from Sandusky We’ll trace the dotted line Crossing our hearts and hope you’ll sign But one by one our friends leave us behind Don't let it get you down We've got another town I know this'll turn around Me and you Look at the mess we got into We’re dead last in this race I can’t find the words to state my case And then they slam the door right in your face Don't let it get you down We've got another town I don’t want to turn around I know I’m my father’s son And he just had a way with everyone I won’t let it get me down There’s always another town I know this’ll turn around

[ An instrumental designed to score the long, mind-numbing drives Richard and Tommy take through the midwest. ]

[ Tommy and Richard are at their wits’ end and come to blows. After their fight, they decide to keep driving ] Turn off the car, and take a swing You leave a mark, I feel the sting Friends never meant that much to me I’m driving long enough to see the sunrise These towns begin to look the same I start to wonder why we came Can’t let it get the best of me The night’s darkest just before you see the sunrise

[ Tommy has a breakthrough. He finds his own bizarre way to connect with clients, and Tommy and Richard become more confident as they start making sales. They also start to suspect Tommy’s new mother-in-law and brother-in-law are planning to oust Tommy and sell the company ] Something you said just set off a chain Like one ray of sun that breaks through the rain We might burn up, or we could melt down But I’ve gotta think it’s turning around You found a way just like your old man playing the fool right into your hand You’ve got a gift, as strange as it sounds Could things really be turning around Signals get crossed, and lost on the way I can’t shake the feeling that we’ve been betrayed But I’ve got a plan to get off the ground And then when we land, we’ll turn this around

[ Tommy and Richard make one last desperate attempt to save the company and — SPOILER ALERT — they succeed! They also bust Tommy’s in-laws. ] Look alive, time to take a dive into the sea All we got is a final shot it’s up to me Here it comes, here it comes There it goes Where it stops, where it stops No one knows There’s a town, it’s been circling round and round the drain It’s up to you, all you gotta do is sign your name Here it comes, here it comes There it goes Where it stops, where it stops No one knows You’ve been on the screen Selling us a dream But back behind the scenes You tear us down Now it’s on the line Where the spotlight shines And there’s nowhere to run Now the deal is done Pardon me, King, there’s just one last thing We’re on to you, Said and done, hope you had some fun Cause now you’re through Here they come, here they come Time to go Where it stops, if it stops No one knows

[ Tommy reflects on his journey, tells his dad he’s found love, and decides that there’s no better place in the world for him than Sandusky, Ohio. ] One man’s factory is my family It laid out the blueprint of the man I could be With some wind in my sail The pure hearts prevail We took on the titans and lived to tell the tale With friends like these, never be alone And sweet Sandusky’s gonna feel like home With her at my side There’s nowhere to hide I know you’ll be watching when I make her my bride And with love, I know no matter where I roam Sweet Sandusky’s gonna feel like home