I made what I consider to be an improvement in the lyrics. Now, I CANNOT listen to this song, without plugging in my new lyrics. I wish Tom could re-do this with the change.
Just wanted to ruin it for everyone else, too.

Instead of ".....It spikes your drink, I'd say more, but I can't thing-eee-eee-eee-ing-ink."

Try: ......."it spikes your drink, I'd say more, but I CAN'T STAND TO THINK."

Or we could go even further.

This old town is a sad affair
It'll leave you standing in your underwear

^haha!

But then the music and the beat don't work. So I guess they way it is probably works best.

This old town is a sad affair.
Gotta run! Look! A black bear!

I think the song is fine, and it makes perfect sense. This character just cant talk more about this old town.

Of course you are right, mike. Its a well built song. We're just having fun.

This old town is a sad affair
We're gettin' old an losin' our hair!

Spikes your drink, I've more to say
Cripes, that bear! Gotta run away!

This old town is a sad affair...
Your 30 city tour'll get cha outta there!

I'm sure only the listener would be able to think of new ways to change the song. Songwriting to me is a very automatic process. It comes through your brain, through a guitar and into a tape. There's little back tracking. If the artist was unsatisfied with his end result, he'd be able to change it up in his live concerts.

Interesting way to look at it. While what you say (brain to guitar to tape), is true...I would never call it "automatic". At least really great songs are not...songs that capture something unique and make the hair on your arms stand up. I think those require effort and a plugging into the magicial.

As far as changing a song in concert, okay....I guess you can jam on it for 15 minutes with positive result. But remember that your fans have come to your show to hear "that song"...basically as they recall first hearing it. You want a stampede of unhappy fans to storm the exits, never to return?