One Night (acoustic) - Stories that Never Happened

"Met at a truck stop" is fun in theory but...

For a couple years I toured across country a few times playing house concerts and small venues. It was fun.

A couple of times, during those drives, I slept in a truck stop. I parked my tour van, disguised as an old Toyota Camry, and dozed in discomfort for a few hours.

Early in the morning, trucks would start rumbling, waking me up. I would grab a couple eggs, fill up on coffee, and head toward my next destination.

Once, while looking at the map, I realized that Coeur d'Alene is almost directly North of Los Angeles. Because of where it is in relation to the West Coast, I’d always thought of it as more East. Geography is a thing.

I was playing a small venue South of Coeur d’Alene; then heading down toward Vegas and Los Angeles. That lead to the first stanza of this song.

Last night I recorded a basic guitar track and recorded vocals this morning.

I have another acoustic song I’m hoping to publish later this week or on the weekend but this is a travel day and the week is going to be a bit hectic. We’ll see what happens.

Either way, here is my song, One Night. The lyrics are below my signature.

I hope you enjoy!

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“Is this a true story?”

I’ve only played this song out a few times. However, at least twice I’ve been asked if it is a true story.

My experience sleeping at truck stops is that there is no one at a truck stop I’d be interested in having a one night stand with… me most of all. Generally, it is a combination of sweat and exhaustion.

Of course, your mileage may vary.

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My next dispatch will likely be from Texas. More on this later.

Thank you for joining me on this journey.

With Love and Gratitude,
Matthew Moran
May 19, 2026

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Lyrics: One Night

VERSE 1:
Heading South towards Los Angeles from Coeur d’Alene
Driving all night through the memories and freezing rain
Met at that truck stop, you never would give me your name
We stayed up talking and like the rain you washed away my pain

In the morning we shook hands, you headed East into the sun
It took me two full days to figure out just what you’d done
I found your number and your note tucked inside that grocery sack
It took me two more days to get the courage up to call you back


CHORUS:
Two travelers, one night
A shared moment that feels right
Both letting go, both holding tight
Let’s own the darkness until we see the light


VERSE 2:
Back in Vegas we met and threw our hearts into the night
The passion and the laughter and the sweetness of two souls taking flight
I tried to talk you into following me out West
A kiss, a smile, and you assured me this was for the best


VERSE 3:
Do your memories ever take you to that place and time?
And do you realize that you’re forever held in mine
That stretch of highway and the evening leaves me thinking about us
And I swear every time that I’m driving through that town I feel your touch
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