Steel drums meet moonlight, crowd buzzes on the breeze,
Something wicked's laughin' through the palm trees.
Bartender winked and said, "Boy, take care —
Not everything pretty down here plays fair."
Met her down on Duval where the streetlights gleam,
In a black silk mask — she said her name was "Luna's dream."
Her laugh was smoke, her perfume sin,
I knew right then I was gone again.
She moved like smoke through Spanish moss,
And smiled like she already knew the cost.
She whispered low, "You can call me a dream,"
But dreams in Key West ain't always what they seem.
She's a nightmare dressed up as a daydream,
Paradise painted in gasoline.
You touch the flame and it burns like wonder,
Like a storm wrapped up in summer thunder.
You think it's love, till the morning screams —
She's a nightmare dressed up as a daydream.
Woke up tangled in a ghost-white sheet,
Lipstick on the mirror spelled "Trick or Treat."
Her scent was drifting through the room,
Like a love song fading far too soon.
The night was gone, but her touch stayed on,
And the dream of Luna still lingered 'til dawn.
I laughed and poured me another round,
'Cause some nightmares are worth hangin' around.
She's a nightmare dressed up as a daydream,
Paradise painted in gasoline.
You touch the flame and it burns like wonder,
Like a storm wrapped up in summer thunder.
You think it's love, till the morning screams —
She's a nightmare dressed up as a daydream.
Maybe she's a ghost or a hurricane kiss,
Maybe I just dreamed it — but not like this.
Now every time the full moon shines,
I check the bar and the warning signs.
If she shows up, I'll buy her a drink,
'Cause I can't resist that wicked wink.
She's a nightmare dressed up as a daydream,
Paradise painted in gasoline.
You touch the flame and it burns like wonder,
Like a storm wrapped up in summer thunder.
You think it's love, till the morning screams —
She's a nightmare dressed up as a daydream.
If you see her down on Duval tonight,
Tell her Jimmy says he's doin' alright —
And he still dreams of that nightmare… every night.