"Casey's Last Ride" is a song written and performed by John Denver. The lyrics tell the story of a man named Casey who lives a solitary and desperate life in a dark and gloomy city. He spends his days walking through the subway, surrounded by silent and desperate people who never speak to one another. The air he breathes is polluted, devoid of sunshine and rain, symbolizing the lack of hope and vitality in his surroundings. Casey's only glimmer of happiness comes in the form of a woman who he had a past relationship with. She approaches him, expressing her longing for him and offers him a kiss to make him smile. She mentions that she has dressed up in new stockings just to please him. Despite Casey's loneliness and the woman's affection, they both know that their encounter is temporary, as Casey cannot stay for long. Leaving the underground, Casey stops at a bar called the Golden Crown to find solace from the cold. He sees his reflection in the lives of other lonely men, all searching for something or someone to fill the void in their lives. Casey drinks his bitter pint, oblivious to the world around him and the people passing by. While leaving the bar, he stumbles, questioning whether it is the alcohol or a tear in his eye that causes him to falter. The woman appears again, reminding Casey that he now has a family of his own, indicating that she understands their relationship cannot continue beyond a fleeting encounter. However, she still appreciates the companionship and physical connection they share. She expresses her longing to feel Casey's body and laments the loneliness that comes with being alone. Overall, "Casey's Last Ride" portrays a bittersweet narrative of a man trapped in a desolate urban environment, seeking fleeting moments of solace and companionship but ultimately unable to escape the emptiness and loneliness that surrounds him.
