Back This Truck Up

Lyrics inspired by a few old memories and some daydreaming. Back This Truck Up is an Odyssey of sorts that loosely starts with the title track, then takes a few turns – some reflective singer-songwriter type vibes, some just my take on country music cliches. Thanks for dropping by!

bet the farm

Everyone said you were too much of a princess
Out of my league and just gonna run
Well I’m not the type to swing for the fences
My buddies gave me odds a hundred to 1
But when you looked over and gave me half a grin
I said I’m doubling down and going all in

I’ll bet the farm and my pickup truck
The whole pot of chips and a twist of luck
Fields of gold, the herd in the pasture
and every last John Deere tractor
I’ll bet it all, see your call and raise
a glass with you until the sun slips away
and then we’ll shoot that harvest moon
Girl I’ll bet the farm
Girl I’ll bet the farm on you

I want to show you where our creek meets the river
Lie down right there and breathe every sound
like we’re spinning to a Randy Travis record
forever and ever whispers going round
then tell you I’ve fallen hard
and lay it all out for the Queen of Hearts

We could start right now
put some roots down
Let the cards just fall
‘Cause I’ll bet it all…

the farm and my pickup truck
The whole pot of chips and a twist of luck
Fields of gold, the herd in the pasture
and every last John Deere tractor
I’ll bet it all, see your call and raise
a glass with you until the sun slips away
and then we’ll shoot that harvest moon
Girl I’ll bet the farm
Girl I’ll bet the farm on you

dripping clues

My radio’s playing a love song you should hear
I’ve got the windows down in case you’re near
and there’s a sun waiting to set in the blue pacific sky
Step in the sand and let your footprints follow mine
But I’m never gonna reach you
if you’re not looking too

I’m hoping someday you’ll find me
when you’re ready for something new
‘Cause every place I leave
yeah there’s something I left for you
Whenever you feel like looking girl
you’ll find me out here dripping clues
I’m out here dripping clues

I’ve left angels in the snow, dropped a hundred notes
Every city light that shines is a dream I wrote
I’ve been making signs and putting stakes in the ground
from all those numbered streets to every China Town
But I’m never gonna reach you
if you’re not looking too

Yeah there’s a drink for you at every corner bar
and enough open tabs you could buy every star

I’m hoping someday you’ll find me
when you’re ready for something new
’cause every place I leave
there’s something I left for you
Whenever you feel like looking girl
you’ll find me out here dripping clues
I’m out here dripping clues

last beer

I was working late again
but just in time
Said you’d pick me up
We’d go out keep dancing that line

I was hoping for a good night
Maybe some letting loose
But you left with no goodbyes
No one more tries or the truth

I gave you one last tear
It’s okay honey I got the last beer

I got the last beer at the right time
You took every other ounce of sunshine I’d ever known
I got the last beer when I needed it most
Night was falling and I gave a tallboy toast to drinking alone
You took the reasons why,
the stars from the sky
and you took the last swing out of here
It’s okay honey I got the last beer

I didn’t ask around
Tried hard not to know
where you’ve been staying
and why you didn’t show

I heard it was another guy
and I wasn’t much to lose
You took it all anyhow
and every good memory of you

But you couldn’t say all the cheers
Honey I got the last beer

I’ve got a picture of you in the shotgun seat
the flicker in your eyes burns on my mind
Every day that truck fires up the regret
of leaving you behind
No one tells you how much it’s gonna hurt
when the wheels are spinning and you can’t find Reverse

We were just kids but didn’t know it then
and we can wonder if we’ll ever run like new again
Eyes closed with a memory in tow
makes it hard to steer
After years of grinding gears and getting stuck
trying to back this truck up

We looked for every shooting star raining down
to tell us what we didn’t know
and when they lit the road out of town
You told me I was leaving alone
But no one tells you how much it’s gonna hurt
when the wheels are spinning and you can’t find Reverse

I’m blowing through every caution sign
and crossing every solid line
‘cause if I can somehow
turn it around
Maybe you’d jump in one more time

Yeah we were just kids but didn’t know it then
and we can wonder if we’ll ever run like new again
Eyes closed with a memory in tow
makes it hard to steer
After years of grinding gears and getting stuck
trying to back this truck up
trying to back this truck up

that was your rose

I don’t know what it’s worth or if it hurts
When I go looking in the morning light
Are you still around, are you lying down
Is there anything left of the night?
Maybe you drifted off in the dark
but you left a mark
and I just wanted you to know
that was your rose

What do you dream about so far away
and how many miles is too much?
Do you close your eyes, tell me it’s alright
and all we gave was enough?
Or are you standing there
asking when and where
you’re supposed to show?
’cause that was your rose

I hear your whispers bounce against these walls
saying don’t go out where the ice is thin
I’m there right now, we all fall down
and sometimes get up again
even when it’s cold outside
and I’m pulling on every tide
calling for more petals to grow
’cause that was your rose

And it’s so hard counting the stars
that you lose track of all time
Then every goodbye shoots across the sky
before you know you’re left behind
staring in space
the mirror and an empty face
How many times do I have to watch you go?
Baby that was your rose
The words we never say get in the way
and I just wanted you to know
that was your rose

more than pictures

12.01.23 – inspired by the 7/4/2004 live version of Goo Goo Dolls “Iris”

I could hold you here forever
And you’re more than just a dream
’cause you showed me every weakness
I ever wanted to need

And all I see is your footprints
The space between carries no sound
But somewhere you’re more than a picture
Yeah some place I haven’t found

Where were you when I came looking
Did you forget to say goodbye
’cause I lost my way to heaven
and all we needed was time

You said everything is beautiful
whenever I whispered a doubt
And those echoes are more than ashes
’cause you should be here right now

But where were you when I came looking
Did you forget to say goodbye
’cause I lost my way to heaven
and all we needed was time
yeah all we needed was time

Where were you when I came looking
Did you forget to say goodbye
’cause I lost my way to heaven
and all we needed was time
yeah all we needed was time
All we needed was time

outside river bend

11.05.23

Someone said there’s fish in the river
check by the bridge at Dearborn Street
but I’ve seen the weight of the weather
and I don’t know what’s left for me

I could be fine
maybe throw a line
in your sunrise
and watch the mend
then wait in the blue
for something to lose
before you get through
the outside river bend

Something told me to let you go
before I twist and turn and sink
but I looked for you high and low
and crossed an edge that I can’t see

I could be fine
maybe throw a line
in your sunrise
and watch the mend
then wait in the blue
for something to lose
before you get through
the outside river bend

my invisible sun

03.12.24 – for whatever reason these lyrics were inspired by Smashing Pumpkins “Snail”

Tell me a secret
I’ve wanted to hear
And show me your truth
The day’s end is near

And I wait for the wind to come
but I can’t wait for anyone
not even you
’cause nothing is undone
and my invisible sun
is burning blue
it’s burning blue

Lying alone
is hollow as it seems
And in the night
We take back all those dreams

And I wait for the wind to come
but I can’t wait for anyone
not even you
’cause nothing is undone
and my invisible sun
is burning blue
it’s burning blue

Tell me a secret
I’ve wanted to hear

shouldn't be thinking

That look in the mirror beats me down every day
judging every reason why you went away
but you don’t want to hear what’s on my mind
and I know I should leave those thoughts behind
get over you and fall back in line

‘Cause you don’t see what I see
You don’t picture me
Maybe I’m crazy to care
and moving on is the right thing to do
but it doesn’t seem fair
that I shouldn’t be thinking about you

I shouldn’t remember how you squinted your eyes
when we started those fires under midnight skies
I should look beyond what’s burned down and lost
and bury the ashes of the bridge you crossed
forget the memories in an old shoebox

‘Cause you don’t see what I see
You don’t picture me
Maybe I’m crazy to care
and moving on is the right thing to do
but it doesn’t seem fair
that I shouldn’t be thinking about you

It could be any place under any star
Any other dream that doesn’t leave a scar
Any other time and anyone new
but I’m always back here thinking about you

But you don’t see what I see
You don’t picture me
Yeah I’m crazy to care
and moving on is the right thing to do
but it doesn’t seem fair
that I shouldn’t be thinking about you
no you don’t see what I see
not the way I do
but I shouldn’t be thinking
I shouldn’t be thinking about you

take that walk

You said there’s a story you’d tell me sometime
if I ever wanted to know
I said if it starts with the footprints we left behind
turn the page and tell me where they go

‘Cause I’d take that walk
The one when you take all the blame
for thinking so long about my last name
Then you tell me about some home town girl kind of dream
and a faded old picture of me
I’d take that walk to that somewhere with you
‘cause that walk might lead to something new

You dragged your cold feet a hundred slow steps
until we opened that door
I said it’s okay, stop holding your breath
and don’t be scared anymore

‘Cause I’ll take that walk
The one when you take all the blame
for thinking so long about my last name
Then you tell me about some home town girl kind of dream
and a faded old picture of me
I’ll take that walk to that somewhere with you
‘cause that walk might lead to something new

You said thinking about one day maybes
has been driving you crazy
and it’s been lonely around this city block

I said let’s take that walk
The one when you take all the blame
for thinking so long about my last name
Then you tell me about some home town girl kind of dream
and a faded old picture of me
Let’s take that walk to that somewhere two by two
take that walk where we talk about starting something new

gonna change

Desert heat and hallucinations
All the images shaken
in one goodbye
I don’t know if anything is left
What might be real or just
A mirage in the sky

Maybe you’re waiting up ahead
But this dream doesn’t feel the same
And who ever said
We were never gonna change

Whiskey rambles and confusion
Recipe for all those illusions
Drifting out of reach
I’m looking straight and making turns
That’s how the trail burns
When you’re trying to leave

Maybe you’re waiting up ahead
But this dream doesn’t feel the same
And who ever said
We were never gonna change

I followed where your eyes go
Those flames clear an open road
Only you can see
There’s a slow ticking in my mind
Wind it back and you might find
The ashes of me

Maybe you’re waiting up ahead
But this dream doesn’t feel the same
And who ever said
We were never gonna change

coming around again

I just might be a wreck thinking about OBX
And them airplane signs
Telling me just how long baby I’ve been wrong
watching time fly by

In the back of my mind kept you tucked inside
by that southern shore
Was a lifetime ago and I need to know
what I’m living for

‘Cause those words are coming around again
like echoes that never end
What was it you said back then?
Something about what goes around
comes back comes crashing down
and hits like remember when
I lost track of how long it’s been
but those words are coming around again

I still see the signs in the Carolina sky
and I can’t stay away
We won’t know what it means if it’s lost in a dream
Guess I’m coming that way

You said it’s about time, I told you so
There’s some places we’ll always go

I feel that wind crystal coast again
and you’re by my side
Every word is true that says it’s all for you
Yeah you were always right
and those words are coming around again
Don’t care how long it’s been
Those words are coming around again

mail drop box

You’d smile and flirt
up late fall asleep on the phone
I was a 20 year fallback
if we ever made it back home

I know you moved on
I feel it every dusk to dawn
and back around real slow
but I still wonder what it’s like in San Antonio

I wrote it all down for you
Don’t know what that letter said
Maybe something like hi
and I wanted you instead
I knew time was ticking
I’m still kicking and cursing that clock
Drove around the whole beach town
Never could find a mail drop box

Spent time drifting on Hillsborough
and all those tired bars
Went over to Franklin Street
To visit old scars

Remember your face
getting out was a race
and I think you’ve won
but I still wonder what sending that letter would’ve done

Every drop of blame and every question why
is another letter burning in the middle of the night

catch and release

This town is just a name
without you around
Street lights don’t shine the same
from where I’m looking now
It feels so damn cold
You left with a love I couldn’t hold

You should’ve been the first and the last one
the shining down forever sun
before I had to let go
‘cause you know
the signs we all see
they say catch and release

Big plans took you far away
you found the wind to lift those wings
Said coming back might be a mistake
and you don’t owe me anything
So I’ll wait here and watch the tight line
from this place you left behind

You should’ve been the first and the last one
the shining down forever sun
before I had to let go
‘cause you know
the signs we all see
they say catch and release

Don’t you feel me holding on?
I’ve been right here all along

You should’ve been the first and the last one
the shining down forever sun
and you know
I never let you go
‘cause it’s not like me
to catch and release

told you so

I always wanted you to know
But I never told you so

We tried for the moon in a sunny dream
then landed somewhere in between
Baby I loved you as best I could
but I didn’t say everything I should
I didn’t tell you it’ll be okay
before I let that light in your eyes fade away

The devil tied my hands
and you let me go
but I’m still forever damned
’cause I never told you so
I heard you whisper
said bend down low
and I still never
told you so

I don’t even know what’s a regret
Or just another thing I never said
In the middle of it all I thought I tried
just because I didn’t know how to say goodbye
I wanted more but couldn’t tell you how
so what’s it all worth now

The devil tied my hands
and you let me go
but I’m still forever damned
’cause I never told you so
I heard you whisper
said bend down low
and I still never could
told you so

I always wanted you to know
But I never told you so

heaven's rules

I knew it shouldn’t feel like this
We gave it all on every kiss
I said past where the river splits
look how far you can see

We drove out where the wind blows
and shot out the windows
I thought Lord knows
now I can breathe

I’ve taken every remedy
that won’t put me back together
but as long as you’re a memory
there’s another part of forever
to be chasing after you
and breaking all of Heaven’s rules

We both would change is what you said
I was looking too far ahead
a wild blue eternity in my head
you painted gray

I’m looking for a piece of light
to finish off this empty night
but you’ll still be on my mind
all the day

I’ve taken every remedy
that won’t put me back together
but as long as you’re a memory
there’s another part of forever
to be chasing after you
and breaking all of Heaven’s rules

You said I crossed too many lines
and I speak out of turn
Maybe I don’t understand
and maybe I’ll never learn
Well I’m blowing on a fire
that’s been a long time smokin’
’cause some of us were made to be broken

I’ve taken every remedy
that won’t put me back together
but as long as you’re a memory
there’s another part of forever
to be chasing after you
and breaking all of Heaven’s rules

looking at you

Some days I can’t open my eyes, don’t want to see
all the living you’ve done without me
Now making up for lost time
is all that’s on my mind
all I need and all I wish
just looking at you like this

You’re the cracked shade early morning orange glow
Teasing from the window
and wherever my mind goes
it’s always back to you it already knows
there’s nothing else I’d ever miss
much as looking at you like this
just looking at you like this

It sounds like I have a lot to confess
and that look in your eyes says I’m not done yet
’cause I see you in every skyline
holding the last of the sunshine
and I’ve lit a thousand candles to make one wish
for looking at you like this

You’re the blink, still there and it’s all okay
can’t let you get away
’cause every moment holding on to you
is time I don’t want to lose
and there’s nothing else I’d ever miss
much as looking at you like this
just looking at you like this

You’re every good word just need you near
to tell you I’m good right here
’cause there’s nothing else I’d ever miss
much as looking at you like this
just looking at you like this
looking at you like this

different life

I wish your eyes would glimmer like they did back then
but it’s just a picture messing with my head again
Maybe some things I’ll never know
like why I try but can’t let go
Even though you’re so far away
and if I showed up you would just say

You’re from a different life
and all the pain
An old memory under a different name
You know there’s no way
we’ll ever be the same
You’re from a different life

Sure we claimed we would both move on
But even then it felt all wrong
I lost time but found a way
somehow at your door today
with a picture from the past burning inside
thinking about a do-or-die kind of try

She said you’re from a different life
and all the pain
An old memory under a different name
You know there’s no way
we’ll ever be the same
You’re from a different life

She said it’s not you, it’s not me, time is your enemy
‘Cause you’re just a memory

From a different life
and all the pain
An old memory under a different name
You know there’s no way
we’ll ever be the same
You’re from a different life

good at bad timing

I live it every day and I don’t need reminding
‘Cause I’ve always been good at bad timing

I could’ve told her what I see when I close my eyes
or how I drove by a time or two
I could’ve told her she was a picture on the wall
and how hard I fall for someone new

Sometimes I talk too much
And sometimes never enough

Maybe late and never on time
Maybe early and out of my mind
Yeah I’m slow to learn
take every wrong turn
can tell you all about crash and burn
I live it every day and don’t need reminding
‘Cause I’ve always been good at bad timing

I thought it was a good time to try my luck
Sat her down and told her everything
Said we could drive away, get lost, get stuck
and curl up every day ‘til spring

Then I asked her what she might say
and good timing got away

Seems like she wasn’t ready yet
And I should wait for a better time
But I’m not good playing hard to get
And might be waiting in vain for a sign

even the dog knows

My head still hurts you’re still talking
50 miles an hour and I’m slow walkin’
Don’t know what to say
But it’s a damn shame
I can’t keep up

Been dodging them tears
Lost another year
I tried to tell you so
and even the dog knows

‘Cause there’s nothing left in me
That you haven’t seen
and there’s nothing left in you
doesn’t break us in two
Honey, I’ve gotta go
and even the dog knows

I’ve run, jumped, tried so damn hard
I’ve kneeled, prayed, played every damn card
Don’t know what else to say
But it’s a damn shame
That dog can’t talk

‘Cause there’s nothing left in me
That you haven’t seen
and there’s nothing left in you
doesn’t break us in two
Honey, I’ve gotta go
and even the dog knows

Honey we fell for a love story
but it ends with the dog and me

‘Cause there’s nothing left in me
That you haven’t seen
and there’s nothing left in you
doesn’t break us in two
Honey, I’ve gotta go
and even the dog knows

breaking down

She’s a little dinged up
A little stuck
I think she might be breaking down
Running a little slow
Might need a tow
from this dirt road right now

I wish it could fix her up
couple new struts like in my old truck

Get her running again
Like remember when
We just hit the road
But she lost a gear
No reversing here
She don’t even know
That she’s breaking down

There’s no magic tool
to fix everything so cruel
That keeps going around
Her heart is torn open
not sure what else is broken
but she sure ain’t making ground
yeah she’s breaking down

I wish it could fix her up
couple new struts like in my old truck

Get her running again
Like remember when
We just hit the road
But she lost a gear
No reversing here
She don’t even know
That she’s breaking down

She used to drive circles around every boy in town
but she dropped that clutch a couple times past a little too much
and she’s breaking down
yeah she’s breaking down
she’s breaking down

1005 miles

I’m up at 2 dreaming about you
I need to know where you’ve been
I know I’m lost in time out of my mind
Thinking about you with him
I know I have no right
but it’s every middle of the night

One thousand and five miles behind
No catching up now
But still wondering how
we’d ever get a chance to find
our come what may
from a thousand and five miles away

I’m up to my neck sinking in what comes next
And I’m still learning to crawl
Don’t know what you’d say,
what’s in the way,
Or how many times I might fall
Maybe it wouldn’t seem very far
but I don’t even know where to start

One thousand and five miles behind
No catching up now
But still wondering how
we’d ever get a chance to find
our come what may
from a thousand and five miles away

If I made a thousand one mile tries
Could you give me the last five?

One thousand and five miles behind
No catching up now
But still wondering how
we’d ever get a chance to find
our come what may
from a thousand and five miles away

not forgiving you

We said we weren’t looking for too much
and everything left to give was enough
But I saw your eyes when they shut down
I heard your cries when it all unwound
and I felt the numb in your touch
every time we tried to pick it all back up

I was there I know what we went through
and I still can’t forgive myself
for not forgiving you
So many times I could’ve said
more than you already knew
I can’t forgive myself
for not forgiving you

I can’t make sense of everything
We never talked about broken dreams
But that thing you left behind
was always on the front of your mind
All I can do is all I can do
Always wanted to try forgiving you

It’s not a straight line with eyes on the past
Hard times keep coming when you’re looking back
Not sure who didn’t forgive who
but all I can do is all I can do

same mistakes

One more whiskey and you’re gonna miss me
are the hollows where I’m gonna drown
It’s the end of the world just me and a girl
But I’m the only one who’s going down

Been thinking about how I break with every mistake
the same ones that never end
about how I screw up every time I get stuck
over and over again

I can’t find the words I need to say
I shake my head and walk away
yeah I make the same mistakes every day
I might drink a little too much
I damn sure blame a lot of bad luck
on the things that come my way
and I never got it right
no, not at the right time
and you told me it’s not okay
making the same mistakes every day

Time passed slow and that bump in the road
still hit like 151
No one more rounds, final straws broke you down
and last call has been long done

One more been thinking again all those nights when
tequila was a cure
but all that drinking never fixed the memories I miss
or how much it hurts

Never gave you reason enough to stay
yeah I made that mistake every day

nothing but crickets

I used to walk that old Rock Creek Road
talking with friends and dreaming alone
something about you
Crossed Booker Creek on a pipe
in the middle of the night
but every time was nothing new
and never you

It feels like I blinked maybe I missed it
Tryin’ to wake up but still ain’t livin’
when it’s nothing but crickets from you
I’m not looking away, that was back in the day
but I’m still counting every minute I’ll ever lose
when it’s nothing but crickets
Nothing but crickets from you

Something didn’t make sense back then
Another crowd different friends
If I told you about this dream
and how much I wished it might come true
I already knew
It would’ve been nothing but crickets from you

Yeah I’m driving blind
and the hands of time
won’t tell me what I’m missing
As hard as I listen
it’s nothing but crickets from you

Anything But Never Mind

I’m just the Wyatt
I’m just the Rip
I’m just another lost dreamer
On a cowboy trip

It’s just my mind
Racing like spinning thread
Searching for every word
I never said
like it was you all along
but I left with a never mind instead

I’m tired of my head being such a mess
Listening to every other second guess
and waiting on you for all the right signs
I can’t help feeling like such a wreck
Wake up wondering what comes next
And what I’ll say when I see you next time
As long as it’s anything but never mind
Yeah when I see you next time
Anything but never mind

I’m just the loner
That I always was
They say I’m good for a vanishing
Just because

You tear me apart,
rip me wide open,
break me a little more
than I’m already broken
and I could either disappear
or say all the things you might not want to hear

second chances

I fell a little late but plenty hard
Remembering how she kissed me
Didn’t know when I folded my cards
you’d ever convince me
it would be the last time
and I couldn’t just fall back in line

I told her I wouldn’t be long
Love you girl see you soon
I never made a bet so wrong
and with forever to lose
Yeah she sure ain’t the one the blame
and I’m looking for second chances anyway

I don’t know why I was so naive
I thought leaving would be more country road
That trip burned the inside of me
and the embers still flicker slow
I know we’ll never be the same
and I’m looking for second chances anyway

I’m good at beating myself up
And bad at everything else
I taught her how to throw a punch
And she was right to think about herself
Yeah I feel the hurtin’ every day
and I’m looking for second chances anyway

Yeah I know I’m circling on empty
and there’s nothing I can say
‘Cause that girl won’t ever miss me
and I’m looking for second chances anyway
Looking for second chances anyway

ride that sunset

Another conversation with a ghost
The one I could’ve loved the most
You were never never really here
so it doesn’t make sense when you appear
I just close my eyes and try to hide
but you’re right back here again
And there’s no other way for me to leave
than you riding that sunset with me

We could paint the sky all kinds of crazy
It’s a hell of a scene and one day maybe
we’ll laugh at all those shades of blue
then sit back and enjoy the view
Yeah it’s a pretty damn good dream
when you ride that sunset with me

It’s all those times no one knows about
You’re in my head and I’m talking aloud
But I never feel more free
when I’m lost in the you I can’t even see
And there’s no other way for me to leave
Than you riding that sunset with me

We never needed a reason why
more than lost time and a look in your eye
Yeah let’s go paint the sky all kinds of crazy
It’s a hell of a scene and one day maybe
we’ll laugh at all those shades of blue
then sit back and enjoy the view
Yeah it’s a pretty damn good dream
when you ride that sunset with me

love me every night

Your eyes say curious and intense
I still worry this story might not make sense
So maybe you can tell me how
I’m supposed to get the words out now
I think it might be a long, slow road
Too long to take this trip alone
We might get lost on that highway
Honey, if you’re with me we’ll find our way
‘Cause with all the dreams I’ve had about you
All these journeys are your story too

I don’t know what else is up your sleeve
but you damn sure make a mess of me
And I’m gonna give you my best try
I’ve lost all patience with lost time
You know there’s nothing I can’t get over
When you curl up head on my shoulder
and then she whispered to me, I’m gonna give you fair warning
I want you to love me every night
and hold me ’til the morning
Love me every night
and hold me ’til the morning

You said we should be wide open
It doesn’t matter what’s been broken
We could’ve tried this a lifetime ago
Moving on because we’ll never know
From time to time I might shed a tear
Maybe every morning you’re still here
They say if you love someone set them free
I say we tie it all down and never leave

sorry in the dirt

I’m sorry I don’t know what else to say
and made it look so easy to walk away
Sorry I wrote a life about us two
then went on and lived it without you

That we never tested our luck
took a pause and then made up
that I never got a chance to touch your nerves
sorry that I’m sorry
’cause it’s time to put sorry in the dirt

Sorry you might wonder what this means
that I might just be a bad dream
that I don’t know what you think
how you wake up, what you drink
or the kind of rubber your Chevy burns
time to lay it all down give that long pull a turn
and put sorry in the dirt
time to lay it all down give that long pull a turn
and put sorry in the dirt

I’m sorry about that time
that you don’t know which one’s on my mind
and every bad thing you ever heard
it’s time to put sorry in the dirt

could've loved her

We were dancin’ on a run down stage deck
at the Fat Pelican
She looked at me and said what’s next
and how’s it gonna end?

I’d never seen a smirk like that before
One that said you should love me a little more
I never had to look very far
’cause those eyes were my shooting stars
I’d wait for a blink then make a wish
to check it all off that bucket list
Counting shells on a sandy shore
Wish I could’ve loved her
Wish I could’ve loved her a little more

We held hands on a Carolina boardwalk
every day all summer
Never knew walking straight I could get lost
lovin’ liked I loved her

We saw it coming and going clear as the open sky
and every night was practice for a long goodbye

same pain different medicine

I thought I could manage being alone not lonely
Then I saw you in a dream and you told me
it might always feel like this
like maybe something I missed
I said I wouldn’t take anything
just a picture and a memory
but it doesn’t matter how much I sleep or where I’ve been
It’s the same pain different medicine

You keep me guessing and I can’t find my ground
but every night I go back for another round
Wherever I land is how hard I spin
Blow it all out here we go again
It’s the same pain different medicine

I blinked too many times and there goes life
and it’s a hard time sleeping through the night
‘cause I’ve been hearing your name
and I never wake up the same
I bet I never cross your mind
but I never left you behind
No matter how you hit or when
It’s the same pain different medicine

Then you said lie down, close your eyes now, and put the mask away
It’s always about someone no matter what they say

as long as you need

It was a hell of a weekend girl where have you been
all my life
You know we should pretend it’s Friday and do it again
Forget about time
‘Cause I ain’t heard about all your dreams
and I’ll stay as long as you need

As long as you need
This is where I’ll be
It’s been a minute kind of wait
but it’s not too late for you and me
There ain’t enough hours in the day
to say everything
But I’ll stay as long as you need

I wish you would just say “we’re gonna be okay
I know what I’m looking for”
‘Cause I’d jump right in, say “I know how this ends,
I had this dream before”
And the day of the week won’t matter no more
‘Cause you’ve got me for as long as you need

It’s no surprise how fast a couple days flew by
But I’ve got a little more time
like as long as you need

say it first

She was a friend of a friend
From another town
Just past the bridge
and take the dirt road down
‘Til you see a pretty girl
waving from the front porch

I crossed that bridge a couple times
when forever plans raced through my mind
Still didn’t want to say it too soon
but it came on like a curse
Damn I love you
and she got me to say it first

On the second date I told her everything
about some crazy dream
She was the star of the show
I was just me, middle of the road
and we held hands got tangled up
by a river view in a brand new truck

Then I swear she twitched those eyes
with half a smirk and said it’s alright
It’s not too soon
and it’s not a curse
Damn I love you
and she got me to say it first

She said what took so long
this is where we belong
so I’ll say it too
for better or worse
Damn I love you
but you said it first

your plan b

Said you meant it this time
and you were stepping away
Feels like a lifetime
been more than a few days
You had a plan
You drew a line
and headed off
to some other side
You said it’s all over
Needed something new
I finally found some words
I’ll never get over you
and baby before you leave
just know you’ll always have a plan B

I may be broken
too soft spoken
Thought you’d go see it all
then find me at last call
I’m damn near hopeless
somehow still coasting
sometimes think I might get lucky
but I’m just your plan B

Maybe you found your feet
I’m still looking for a way
it’s up and down
every damn day
It was you all along
Now I understand
and this come back dream
is my only plan
I could’ve said more
Might’ve made you see
what could’ve been and how
these dreams are shaking me

I may be broken
too soft spoken
Thought you’d go see it all
then find me at last call
I’m damn near hopeless
somehow still coasting
sometimes think I might get lucky
but I’m just your plan B

Yeah these dreams are shaking me
but I’m just your plan B

About Brad: Carolina roots and Colorado vibes

Back This Truck Up got its start in the Fruita desert and was motivated by 23 big time Facebook likes for “Anything But Never Mind.”

Music by Tallboy Toast: Listen on Spotify

Cheers and drop a line sometime: bradb818@gmail.com