The National - Space Invader (Threaded Gold) lyrics

It's a calculation I made a mistake on
I never should have said it like I said
It will come to me later like a space invader
And I won't be able to get it out of my head

What if I'd never written the letter
I slipped into the sleeve of
The record I gave you?
What if I stayed on the
C train until Lafayette?
What if we never met?
What if I only had done what you
Told me and never looked back?
What if I'd only ducked away down
The hallway and faded to black?

It was too romantic, it was sad and frantic
A paperback book in a storm drain
You could go number one
If I copied a new one
From a melody I wish I'd had

What if I'd never written the letter
I slipped into the sleeve of
The record I gave you?
What if I stayed on the
C train until Lafayette?
What if we never met?
What if I only had done what you
Told me and never looked back?
What if I'd only ducked away down
The hallway and faded to black?
What if I'd never written the letter
I slipped into the sleeve of
The record I gave you?
What if I stayed on the
C train until Lafayette?
What if we never met?
What if I only had done what you
Told me and never looked back?
What if I'd only ducked away down
The hallway and faded to black?
What if I'd only been a little less lonely?
What if I'd not turned around
When you call me?
What if I'd only ducked away down
The hallway and faded to black?

It will come to me later
Like a space invader
And I won't be able to get it out of my head