Girl in the Middle
Girl in the Middle: The Backstory
Every song has a story. "Girl in the Middle" was written after a series of long-haul flights across the United States and to Africa.
FROM A PLANE RIDE TO A COUNTRY SONG
I have written and professionally produced several songs (leavingmeinpieces.com, goingbrokesavingmoney.com, and onebootoff.com). My latest song is titled, "Girl in the Middle." For anyone who has flown a long-haul flight, the discomfort of modern airplane seats, and the other inconveniences of flying, will test one's patience.
This song is the compilation of traveling experiences over a three-year period on several flights across the United States and to Africa. The mission trip to Africa took about 48 hours door-to-door. It took three flights, two of which were back-to-back overnight flights from Phoenix to London and London to Johannesburg. The final flight was from South Africa to the Kingdom of Eswatini.
The girl in the middle was, of course, my precious wife. Traveling that long allowed us to talk a lot about our wonderful family and amazing life together. She is my greatest adventure partner. I hope you enjoy it. ~ Dr. Philip William Calvert
*Note to artists and worship teams: I produced this version to show the potential of the song. If you would like to record it, contact me at phil@shapedbygrace.org
"Girl in the Middle" official Lyrics
Philip William Calvert © 2023 - 2026
*Verse 1* Another trip, another flight Another long and sleepless night Another seat I've got to fight. Away we go, up in the air Out the oval window I stare Too many hours we'll be up here. Cramped seats in cabin main Paper-thin cushions, oh the pain Fighting back tears, going insane. Then she caught my eye, the girl in the middle Planned to speak briefly, just a little Too uncomfortable, with the seat I fiddle.
*Chorus* The girl in the middle With auburn hair and hazel eyes Her bright smile lit up the darkened sky Smart and witty, not a bit shy The girl in the middle Yeah, she caught me by surprise The girl in the middle With auburn hair and hazel eyes
*Verse 2* About two hours in, I gave her a grin She smiled sweetly, I leaned on in A conversation I might just win We started to talk, four hours to go She paused to think, took it slow Then laughed out loud, her face aglow We talked Zeppelin, Seinfeld too Ecuador and Peru like old friends do Time sped up, man, it flew
*Bridge* We laughed and joked At the world we poked Wide awake, yeah, we were stoked We talked 'bout life, we talked 'bout pain Dreams and losses, love and gain Her sharp wit cut like drivin' rain.
*Final Chorus* The girl in the middle With auburn hair and hazel eyes Her bright smile lit up the darkened sky Now she's just a sweet goodbye The girl in the middle Like a song that fades too soon The girl in the middle She made my day and my afternoon.
*Outro* Six-hour flight felt like a song Thought it'd drag, but not for long I turned around... she was gone The girl in the middle With auburn hair and hazel eyes Oh, how she still lives on... She made my day and my afternoon