Small town, small town minds
Johnny’s leaving home with a dream to find
Bust out of white bread lines
With a pocket full of saved up wasted time
Momma was so sure he’d go far in school
Raised him on grit and the golden rule
Momma called out
Only the echo came back

Big day, big gray bus
Johnny’s back to the wind, leave the past in the dust
Make it one way, don’t make a fuss
Fighting for a change he could always trust
Johnny knew he’d never be Momma’s best
He’d never fit in like all the rest
Johnny said, "Good-bye"
Only the echo came back

Stand your ground
Don’t turn around
Don’t slow up now
The first step is easy
If you don’t look down

Cold night, neon light
Darkness disappears in electric white
Billboards touch the sky
Red and green tell you which way is right
Look at all the pretty ones lined up in a row
Doin’ what they can to be part of the show
Johnny said, "Hello"
Only the echo came back

Shakey ground
Don’t turn around
Don’t choke up now
Jumping is easy if you don’t look down

Concrete
Blacktop heat
Momma thought he was headed down a dead-end street
But Johnny held on
No retreat
There was always a chance he would land on his feet
He found himself a nice window way up high
Yelled, "Never give up, never never say die"
Johnny cried out
Only the echo came back
Johnny cried out
Only the echo came back
Johnny cried out
Only the echo came back

Small town, small town minds
Johnny’s leavin' home with a dream to find
He’s got a pocket full of saved up wasted time

Don’t give up
Don’t give up
No don’t give up
No never give up

Don’t give up
Don’t give up
No don’t give up
No never give, never give up

Never give up
Never give, never give up
Never give up

You’re damn right