I heard a call out west
Gold rush rotting in a copper pot
I could end up there, I guess
And though I cannot hold you close
Like a rose upon my chest
Hell, if I don't see you anymore
Doesn't mean I love you less
Two thumbs waving in the wind
I've got nothing you could buy
But I'll pump a little gasoline
If you get me there tonight
Tulane green, well, shame on me
If I show up underdressed
'Cause I always wear your borrowed things
Till I end up wearing less
Hey, trying to hold me down
Is like holding onto rain
I'm not an empty gun
I'm the bullet flying away
You gotta learn to leave
To remember why you stay
Letting go of what you hold
Holds you just the same
Veteran drummer, rookie clarinets
Salt the edge and suck the lime
Virtuous or virtuoso
Parody or paradise
I close my eyes and think of you
With that hammer around your chest
Just because I gotta leave you here
Doesn't mean I love you less
Hey, trying to hold me down
Is like holding onto rain
I'm not an empty gun
I'm the bullet flying away
You gotta learn to leave
To remember why you stay
Letting go of what you hold
Holds you just the same
Time turns, it's turning me on
The more that I miss
The more that I want
Time turns, it's turning me on
I want you right back
The moment I'm gone
Time turns, it's turning me on
The more that I miss
The more that I want
Time turns, it's turning me on
I want you right back
The moment I'm gone
Makna di balik lagu 'Virtuoso'
Lagu ini bercerita tentang seseorang yang harus pergi mengejar jalan hidupnya, meski masih sangat mencintai orang yang ditinggalkan. Ia menyadari bahwa perpisahan bukan berarti rasa cintanya berkurang, melainkan bagian dari perjalanan yang harus dijalani. Kebebasan dan keinginan untuk terus melangkah menjadi sesuatu yang tidak bisa dibendung, walaupun hati tetap tertinggal pada orang yang dicintai.
Di sisi lain, lagu ini menyampaikan bahwa terkadang seseorang harus melepaskan untuk memahami arti memiliki. Semakin jauh ia pergi, justru semakin besar rasa rindu dan keinginannya untuk kembali. Pesan utamanya adalah bahwa cinta sejati mampu bertahan meski dipisahkan oleh jarak dan waktu, karena kepergian tidak selalu berarti berakhirnya perasaan.