Story Behind The Song

While driving along the Ohio turnpike, I saw the words Tracy Loves Ray on an overpass. Having no idea about how the words got there, I made up the story as I drove. The story has since been expanded on by author Theresa Child and published in book form.

Song Description

Tracy takes a job and moves to california from Ohio, away from her hometown and boyfriend. Before she leaves, she writes "Tracy Loves Ray" on a highway overpass.The time apart is a struggle. Eventually, Ray goes to California to try and bring Tracy home but can't find her. Tracy does return and they're reunited.

Lyrics

TRACY LOVES RAY


TRACY LOVES RAY, IT MUST BE SO
I SAW IT ON AN OVERPASS IN OHIO
IN GREAT BIG LETTERS SO IT MUST BE TRUE
IT SAYS TRACY LOVES RAY AND HE LOVES HER TOO

TRACY GOT A JOB SHE COULDN'T TURN DOWN
SHE'S MOVING TO THE CITY OF THE ANGELS NOW
RAY STAYS BACK TILL SHE SETTLES IN
HE'LL PACK UP THE APARTMENT AND JOIN HER THEN

BUT DISTANCE NEVER DID A LOVER GOOD
TIME DOES THINGS YOU NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD
SHE KNOWS HE'LL MISS HER WHEN SHE'S FAR AWAY
SHE LEAVES HIM A NOTE HE'LL SEE EVERY DAY

TRACY LOVES RAY IT MUST BE SO
SHE WROTE IT ON AN OVERPASS IN OHIO
IN GREAT BIG LETTERS SO IT MUST BE TRUE
IT SAYS TRACY LOVES RAY AND HE LOVES HER TOO

TRACY LOVES RAY THE LETTER STARTS
FROM OUT ON THE WEST COAST TO DEEP IN YOUR HEART
BUT THAT COMPANY I WORK FOR IS CLOSING DOWN
THEY TOLD ME TODAY I'D BETTER LOOK AROUND

SHE LOVES THE OCEAN AND THE WEATHER THERE
THE CALIFORNIA SAVOIR FAIRE
SHE SITS ON THE BEACH AND CONCENTRATES
ON THE BOY THAT SHE LEFT BACK IN THE BUCKEYE STATE

TRACY LOVES RAY IT MUST BE TRUE
SHE WROTE IT ON THE STONE AND SHE MEANT IT TOO
BUT THE SUN COMES UP AND THE SUN GOES DOWN
TRACY LOVES RAY BUT HE'S NOT AROUND

TRACY LOVES RAY BUT SHE MET A MAN
JUST A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THERE'S NOTHING PLANNED
RAY LOVES TRACY BUT THE GIRLS IN TOWN
ACT A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT SINCE SHE'S NOT AROUND



THE MIDNIGHT HOUR IS THE LONGEST ONE
HE NEVER THOUGHT SHE'D BE GONE SO LONG
WHEN HIS CONFIDENCE IS FADING FAST
HE LOOKS FOR THE ANSWER AT THE OVERPASS

TRACY LOVES RAY IN THE HEADLIGHT BEAM
IS DISAPPEARING, IS WASHING CLEAN
FROM THE MIDWEST RAIN AND THE SUMMER SUN
IT SAYS TRACY LOVES RAY

RAY LOVES TRACY INTO L A X
HE GOES WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT HE EXPECTS
WILL HE STAY FOREVER WILL HE LEAVE ALONE
HE KNOCKS ON HER DOOR AND SHE'S NOT EVEN HOME

THE LANDLORD SAYS HE KNOWS SHE'S NOT HERE
CAUSE TRACY MOVED AND HE'S NO IDEA
ONE MORE CHANCE, ONE MORE TRYG
HE HIRES A PLANE TO WRITE IT IN THE SKY

RAY LOVES TRACY IN THE L A BLUE
EVERYONE IN SANTA MONICA KNOWS IT'S TRUE
GREAT BIG LETTERS DRIFTING IN THE AIR
RAY LOVES TRACY, SHE'S NOT THERE

HE LANDS IN CLEVELAND ON THE RED EYE FLIGHT
WONDERING HOW HE'LL EVER MAKE IT RIGHT
DRIVING IN TO THE BREAKING DAY
HE SEES IT COMING AT HIM HALF A MILE AWAY

TRACY LOVES RAY THE CONCRETE SHOUTS
IN GREAT BIG LETTERS SO THERE AIN'T NO DOUBT
FRESHLY PAINTED IN A FRIGHTENING HUE
IT SAYS TRACY LOVES RAY AND HE LOVES HER TOO

TRACY LOVES RAY IT MUST BE SO
I SAW IT ON AN OVERPASS IN OHIO