by Alex Wilson
Album
County Line Serenade
Year
2025
Genre
Country/Pop/Country Pop
Duration
3:45
Description
'Last Night at the Fair' is a nostalgic country-pop ballad that captures the bittersweet magic of a fleeting summer romance. Set against the backdrop of a county fair, the song paints a vivid picture of young love, filled with cotton candy dreams and the promise of forever, all while knowing it’s destined to fade with the summer. The song's sing-along chorus and relatable themes of first love and small-town life make it a perfect anthem for anyone who's experienced the ache of saying goodbye.
Lyrics
[Verse 1] Cotton candy sticky on your fingers Neon lights dancing in your hair You won that teddy bear I couldn't At the ring toss by the Ferris wheel there Corndog grease and lemonade Dust kicking up from cowboy boots County band playing on the stage While we were falling hard under summer's truth [Pre-Chorus] When the sun went down and the crowd got loud You pulled me close, said "Don't go home" [Chorus] It was the last night at the fair Spinning 'round without a care Your blue dress flying in the summer air We were young and we were there At the last night at the fair Last night at the fair [Verse 2] Tunnel of love broke down halfway So we just sat there in the dark Talking 'bout dreams and getaway Plans we'd probably never start Fireworks lit up midnight sky Reflected in your green eyes Knew come Monday you'd say goodbye But that was just tomorrow's lies [Pre-Chorus] When the rides shut down and the music stopped You kissed me once, said "Don't forget" [Chorus] It was the last night at the fair Spinning 'round without a care Your blue dress flying in the summer air We were young and we were there At the last night at the fair Last night at the fair [Bridge] Now September's here and you're gone away To that college town down south But I still taste that Saturday Every time I drive that route These days it's just a memory fading Like a faded photograph I can almost hear the music playing When I look back on our aftermath [Final Chorus - Key Change Up] It was the last night at the fair (Call: "Where were we?") (Response: "We were there!") Spinning 'round without a care (Call: "How'd you look?") (Response: "Beyond compare!") Your blue dress flying in the summer air We were young and we were there At the last night at the fair (Call: "Last night!") (Response: "At the fair!") Last night at the fair (Call: "Last night!") (Response: "We were there!")
Notes
Instrumentation: Acoustic guitar (steel-string, possibly with a capo on the 2nd fret for a brighter sound), electric guitar (light overdrive for the pre-chorus and chorus, possibly with a subtle delay), bass guitar (walking bass line during verses, more rhythmic during chorus), drums (steady, mid-tempo country groove with snare on beats 2 & 4), keyboard (subtle organ pads for added warmth), pedal steel guitar (for fills and solos, adding a classic country feel). Harmonies in the chorus are recommended. The key change up in the final chorus should be a whole step (e.g., from G to A). Consider adding a brief guitar solo after the second chorus. The call-and-response parts in the final chorus can be emphasized with vocal ad-libs and crowd participation during live performances. Tempo: Medium, with a slight push in energy during the choruses. Mood: Nostalgic, bittersweet, longing. Think Shania Twain meets Kelsea Ballerini.