Afternoon has settled long and heady on my shoulders The winter’s light feels different on my skin It doesn’t seem to strike as far below the surface so I have to conclude that shadow won’t let it in That shadow won’t let it in Shadow won’t let it in December You’ve always been a problem child December You run me down right restless and wild And I remember when you used to be mine December, oh December, oh The leaves are all still changing The weather here is mild and vacant The winter is blooming on Los Angeles The artificial cold is more than I was hoping for But not enough to consume the darkened state I’m in The darkened state I’m in The darkened state I’m in December You’ve always been a problem child December You run me down right restless and wild And I remember When you used to be mine December, oh December, oh Distill a whole year down into a day Act like we all start over with a pristine slate But to get yourself a new life you’ve got to give the other one away And I’m starting to believe in the power of a name ‘Cause it can’t be a mistake if I just call it ‘change’ December, oh (can't turn around now) December, oh (can't turn around now) December, oh (break the chain, can't live in circles again) December, oh (break the chain, can't live in circles again) Break the chain