SWALLOWED THE HOOK

I was swimmin’ free when you cast out your line

I shoulda known you were the catch release kind

You dangled that bait so well that I couldn’t say no

So I hit your lure just as hard as I could

Gave ya’ all the fight I had I hope the fishin’ was good

But when you got me into the net you went to throw me back HEY!

We got a little problem ‘cuz I swallowed the hook

You mighta’ just noticed if you took the time to look

Before rippin’ it out and throwin’ me over the side

I think I coulda’ made it if you’d just cut the line

But the big ones were a’callin’ and you wouldn’t take the time

So now I’m belly up on a barstool once again

I guess I woulda’ been your limit and you just weren’t sure

If you were done fishin’ and you couldn’t ignore

That there were plenty of fish in the sea and they were bitin’ that day

But when that day’s done and your back at the dock

I hope you realize that the world ain’t stocked

With keepers like me and you don’t land one every day HEY!

[chorus x 2]

BUTTERFLY GIRL

Stormy day out on the water

First time we’re alone together I

Saw a butterfly trying to stay afloat

I put out my hand and scooped her into the boat

She was blown offshore by the ugly weather

The way you and I were brought together

The two of you can stay right here with me

Until it’s calm enough for you both to fly away

So rest your wings my butterfly girl

Let me block the wind and keep you from the rain

This storm won’t last forever the clouds can only hide the sun for a little while

So rest your wings catch your breath safe in my cupped hands my butterfly girl

Now this old wooden boat may not look like much

But she’s pulled me through when it was rough

And I’m still here to laugh and tell the tale

She’s a witch in a storm and she loves to sail

And we won’t let you drown today

Sure as hell won’t let you get blown away

You don’t need to fight the wind no more

‘Cuz that’ll only drive you further from the shore

[chorus]

And when the weather clears I’ll sail you in

Even if it means I don’t see you again

I’ll smile each time a storm comes passin’ by

‘Cuz I’ll remember the time that I got to see you fly

[repeat chorus and last verse]

DID ME RIGHT

Every time we run into each other

Since our time together’s been over

There’s something in your eyes that your smile cannot hide

Can only be seen by an ex-true lover

You’re thinkin’ I think you did me wrong

You’re half right but Babe you’re all wrong

‘Cuz while it is true I’m thinkin’ ‘bout you

What I’m thinkin’ is how to say thank you

‘Cuz all you ever did was do me right

Dropped some rain on a dyin’ flower

You let me love you too and that’s how I’ll remember you

I hope you remember me that way too

Time goes by we’re so far apart now

Don’t know why but got an idea of how

You gotta’ find your own way two ships passed on a sunny day

Just look ahead let today become tomorrow

[chorus x 2]

FREE FALLIN’ LOVE

Sometimes things so great

Sneak up on those who wait

Mostly when they ain’t lookin’ for it

I was feelin’ down

‘Til she spun my head around

If this was football she’d get 15 yards for it

She’s jaw droppin’ heart stoppin’ nail bitin’ knife fightin’ beautiful

Looks like it’s bell ringin’ real thingin’ mama callin’ free fallin’ love

Thought I’d been around the block

Thought I was hard to shock

Feel like she stuck my finger in a wall socket

I hope her lightnin’ strikes again

Yeah I’m a lucky man

‘Cuz you know she got me in her hip pocket

[chorus x 2]

REINCARNATION

Consider reincarnation as a cure for the blues

‘Cuz she could love you again in 3002

It’s stupid to think on a bunch of drunk talk

But I sometimes believe it when I’m alone in the dark

And if we really have past lives

I bet I loved her in mine

My past selves are angry

‘Cuz I blew it this time

It’s one explanation

Even if it ain’t true

Least it’s something to think about

While I’m missin’ you (‘til 3002)

If love is a wheel

With ups and with downs

I can’t hardly wait

For it to roll back around

‘Cuz when I’s on top

I could view eternity

But when you hit bottom

The dark’s all you see

[chorus x2 (‘til 3002)]

RELATIVE LOU

I was ten in seventy-three

Liked to talk a lot to put it mildly

My brother-in-law Lou would take me along

To the big homes on the East side

Layin’ carpet Lou took pride

On doin’ the best job could be done

And he’d explain relativity

Kickin’ in green shag in seventy-three

I think it now and I thought it back then too

Lot of craftsmen in this land but few

Understand Einstein’s equations

Not many guys any smarter than Lou

I’d pick up scraps and he’d slip me some dough

Taught me how the workin’ world goes

Even let me live with them in high school

He liked to hear a good old rock song

Played cassettes in the van while we rolled along

My brother-in-law Lou was one cool guy

[chorus]

SWEET EMILY

Sweet Emily

Used to give me free beer every Wednesday afternoon

And the way her eyes shone when I walked in that Saloon

Plus the beer and her smile and the way’d we talk

Left me feelin’ just a little less on my own

Sweet Emily

Why wasn’t it you and me?

If I’d been a little younger or you’d been a little older

Maybe if I’d been a little bit bolder

You coulda’ been more than just a song to me

Sweet Emily

Made me look forward to Wednesdays all week long

I’d save up stories and we’d make up songs

Try to remember old jokes but we’d tell ‘em all wrong

No time will ever fly like those afternoons

[chorus]

Sweet Emily

Just wasn’t there one Wednesday afternoon

Her boss said he guessed that she wouldn’t be comin’ in

I hung around each week and I paid for my beer

You know I never saw that girl again

[chorus]

TAKE HER DOWN

A real woman wants to be left on a pedestal just so long

You gotta’ climb up there and take her down

Girls tell me if I’m wrong

Even though she’s ideal

She’s a real woman too

So boys let me tell you what you need to do

Take her down

And love her

Like there’s no tomorrow

This world is full of too much

Pain and sorrow

So take her down

And love her

Make it alright

Take her down and love her all night (tonight)

She’s the only reason

It’s worth it to draw breath

She don’t always know what’s best for her

Always doing for others

So it’s your job to do for her

Take it soft and slow

Hey man I’m tellin’ you all you need to know

[chorus x2 (tonight)]

WANTIN’ MO’

Too much water

And you drown

Too much wine

World spins around

To much Her

Well I’m just not sure

‘Cuz she always leaves me

Wantin’ more

It’s a tough tough time that I’m havin’

My words don’t rhyme about her leavin’

But I’ll be fine open the bottle close the door

‘Cuz she always leaves me

Wantin’ more

Don’t know why

I feel so down

Don’t know why

She won’t hang around

Only thing I do know

That’s for sure

Is she always leaves me

Wantin’ more

[chorus]

WHEN IT RAINS

You’re just the way it feels when it rains when it rains

When everyone but me has gone inside

The only time I think of you

Is when I sing the old songs

You’re just the way it feels when it rains

You’re just the way it feels when I sail when I sail

Watch the setting sun first kiss the water

But the only time I think of you

Is when I sing the old songs

You’re just the way it feels when it rains

You’re just the way it feels all the time all the time

Time goes by the way it always will

But the only time I think of you

Is when I sing the old songs

You’re just the way it feels when it rains

The only time I think of you

Is when I sing the old songs

You’re just the way it feels when it rains

Just the way it feels when it rains

YOU DO THE MATH

We met outside our day to day

She burned into me in a way

That doesn’t happen every day

We joked about the rule in France

Half my age plus seven for romance

She said we’d have to wait ‘til August

Then we danced

She didn’t like the rain and one late night

After we’d had way too much champagne

She looked at me and said

You do the math

None of this would ever add up

Thanks for the dances and the laughs

You do the math

None of this could ever add up

Don’t feel too bad

Why did she cry when I kissed her

And said the numbers don’t lie

But it was worth a try

To see the fire burning in your blue eyes (and I said)

[chorus]

 LONG GONE NIGHT LYRICS

Long Gone Night

The cheatin’ way is the easy way

‘Cause it keeps me at a distance

From what I know deep in my soul

Is eatin’ me alive

Stealin’ cheap imitations

Of what used to be my life

Knowin’ what I had only makes me sad

But wise enough to see

Lovin’ other men’s women

Empty as this bottle of gin

Not as empty as this bed

When she goes home to him

Ain’t no way I can sleep while her scent is on that pillow

Gonna be a long gone night again

Wonder how it all came down to this

I used to be that guy at home

Until that night when I left on that light

But she never left his bed

Light was still on in the morning

Got her call later that day

It was rough helpin’ pack her stuff

Then that light went out for good

 [chorus]

FREE FALLIN’ LOVE

Sometimes things so great

Sneak up on those who wait

Mostly when they ain’t lookin’ for it

I was feelin’ down

‘Til she spun my head around

If this was football she’d get 15 yards for it

She’s jaw droppin’ heart stoppin’ nail bitin’ knife fightin’ beautiful

Looks like it’s bell ringin’ real thingin’ mama callin’ free fallin’ love

Thought I’d been around the block

Thought I was hard to shock

Feel like she stuck my finger in a wall socket

I hope her lightnin’ strikes again

Yeah I’m a lucky man

‘Cuz you know she got me in her hip pocket

 [chorus x 2]

GO THE DISTANCE

I was world champ of lovin’ you

There was no one in my class so I thought

Until you gave the guy ranked number two

A chance to contend for the title shot

The bell rang and my heart began to pound

He came in fast and with precision

Put me down round after round

It wasn’t a KO but I lost the decision

Now I can’t beat this heartache so I gotta’ go the distance

I’ll cover up and take the hits ‘cuz I’m too weak for resistance

I really took one on the chin when you chose another man

It was a low blow and the fans lost hope

But I ain’t out for the count just on the ropes

You climbed into the ring to lift his hand

My eyes were swollen shut but I could see it

And maybe I just lost to a better man

But in my heart I truly don’t believe it

And when I heal I’m going to train well

I’m askin’ for a rematch won’t pretend it

And the contender will be chargin’ at the bell

Tell the champ it’s easier to win it than defend it

 [chorus]

I AIN’T AFTER NOTHIN’ BUT YOUR TIME

I ain’t after nothin’ but your time little girl

Lookin’ for someone to share my champagne wine

Don’t mean to come on strong but life ain’t all that long

I ain’t after nothin’ but your time

There was a day when I would play it cool

But I’ve found that playin’ games is just for fools

So while I gotcha’ out on the floor I’m beggin’ you to dance one more

I ain’t after nothin’ but your time

I get the feelin’ you don’t trust what you see

And it’s probably true that I’ve hurt women much as they’ve hurt me

But I learned those lessons well go nothin’ left to buy or sell

And I ain’t after nothin’ but your time

No I ain’t after nothin’ but your time

I’M TOO OLD TO FEEL YOUNGER TONIGHT

Comin’ home from work on a Friday night

Had a long week feel like I lost a fight

Check my phone message and there’s on from you

A sweet little gal met when I’d had a few

You make me feel younger and that’s all right

But I’m too old to feel younger tonight

Message number two came from my ex-wife

Sound of her voice cut me like a knife

She called me a loser a drunk and a phony

Reminded me I was late on my alimony

[chorus]

Now a man of my experience should know full well

That sweet young things are made of heaven and hell

Somehow I keep the faith and I don’t know why

‘Cuz I always end up fallin’ when I try to fly

 [chorus]

So I call up my ex to say the checks on the way

Hang up and take a moment to pray

Before hittin’ your number and before it’s rung

I’m thinkin’ how much fun it is to feel young

[chorus {Guess I’m not too old to feel younger tonight}]

LAST LOST LOVE

My friends try to tell me

It’s time to get on out

Get back up on the pony

Maybe take a walk about

Find yourself a new lover

Least call an old flame

Though I pretend to listen

What I must explain is

The echo from my last lost love is still ringin’ in my ears

Can’t hear nothin’ else right now

Don’t care to try anyhow ‘cuz when push come to shove

Still listenin’ for my last lost love

I’m not stuck in the past

I realize it’s over

But that old memory sounds sweeter

Thank the song of any new lover

This won’t last forever

‘Cuz I’ll be movin’ on

Every day it grows fainter

But I’m listenin’ ‘til it’s all gone

[chorus]

MEN’S HEALTH

The only thing she left me when she left me

Was a picture of her a busted heart and a ‘scription to Men’s Health magazine

Put the picture in my closet drowned my busted heart

But that Men’s Health sucker monthly blows my healin’ routine

Yeah I guess she didn’t know she’d be leavin’

‘Cuz if she did our love wadn’t all it seemed

I coulda’ used new underwear last Christmas

But all I got was a picture of her a busted heart

And a ‘scription to Men’s Health magazine

Cover always has a good lookin’ fella’

With stomach muscles that prove that he don’t drink PBR like I do

There ain’t even no good pictures of hot women in bikinis

To get me through these lonely nights and help take the place of you

[chorus]

So girls when you’re dumpin’ your next boyfriend

Take a lesson from my woes if you want to be mean

Just leave him with three things when you leave him

A picture of you a busted heart and a long long ‘scription

To Men’s Health magazine

[chorus]

PUTTIN’ IN MY TIME

Lovin’ other women

Sure don’t hurt the healin’

But that alone can’t do the job

I been workin’ on so long

At least it’s only part time now

Don’t know when I’ll retire

Puttin’ in my time missin’

The girl stuck on my mind listen

Mister when I tell you that she’s gone

They tell you time will heal your heart

And they tell you truly

But that theory falls apart

When you’re talkin’ to a fool he

Don’t have time to hear you

Gotta punch the clock

[chorus]

OR NOT TO BE

Puttin’ down one drink or two too many

Another round’ll slow it down when his mind jumps the track

And you’ll find him right back

At the few old places left in this old town

His face will sometimes show that he is any

Thing but happy with his choices too late to change his ways

He just calls it his malaise

And he sure does love the sound of his own voice

And he’ll yell

Don’t you play no country on that juke box

Rock-a-Billy’s ‘bout the closest I can take

Country cuts me to the bone

Hits too close to home

And home is the one place and this bar is the other place

I want to be or not to be

Ambivalence is the kind of word he’d use

To describe what he is thinkin’ ‘bout the life that he has made

And the debts that must be paid

Only there ain’t no time for talkin’ when we’re drinkin’

[chorus]

THANK YOU NBC

I’m standin’ watch on Christmas Day in a Norfolk Virginia Monsoon

Hope my relief is on his way ‘cuz I wanna hit the Saloon

We got a TV in the signal shack

Fourteen hundred hours and my heart goes crack

‘Cuz the gal that left me behind not long ago

Is starrin’ on that daytime drama show

Thank you NBC for doin’ this to me

The gal that I can’t have is on my TV

I’m stuck here sixty minutes while you rub my nose in it

But if the truth were known I really can’t pretend

I see that gal more now than I did then

She’s playin’ twins one good one bad just the way she played with me

But the bad one’s still the best I ever had incidentally that’s why I joined the Navy

She’s in New York and I’m at sea

But we get together every day from two to three

‘Cuz the gal that left me behind not long ago

Is starrin’ on that daytime drama show

[chorus]

SONGS FOR VILMA LYRICS

LEADING LADY

Maybe once or twice a lifetime you meet up with a woman

Who will look you straight in the eye

Let you feel like you’re the man you coulda’ been

And then it begins

She might hold your hand a bit too long

You can bet she knows exactly

The way your stomach starts to tingle

When she stands a bit too closely

Once that curtain’s lifted

That show just must go on

And she’ll be your leading lady

For forever or just maybe ‘til she’s gone

Nothin’ feels as empty as a stage after a show

‘Cept your guts when she has danced away

The silence tells you everything you need to know

She’s gonna’ go

‘Cuz now the run has ended

It’s time to strike the set

She was such stuff as dreams are made on

Wake up but you never will forget

[chorus]

SOUTH WIND BLUES

South wind blowin’ blow my life away

Devil wind bring bad luck only kinda’ luck that seem to stay

[chorus #1]

Been blowin’ so long

Keepin’ me down down down

Will it ever stop blowin’

And leave me alone

Been such a long time since my baby say goodbye

Devil wind start blowin’ couldn’t stop her didn’t try

[chorus #1]

Take my advice boy hold your little girl tight

Don’t let that wind take her without a fight

[chorus #2]

Even though you can’t win

You can still pass the test test test

Stand up to the South Wind

You can do your best

While you’re layin’ there dyin’ wind mind turn around

Blow that girl back to you what was lost will be found

[chorus #1]

GETTING’ MEAN

Took your goodbye like a gentleman

Didn’t cry ‘til I was all alone

‘Cuz the truth has always been

I really do understand

But as time drags by it’s clear to me

Nice guys finish last when tryin’ to get free

And though I promise I don’t mean it

The time has come for me to scream it

So **** off and die **** off and die

Eat a pound of **** for every tear I cried

You almost ruined my life you selfish *****

You only used my love to scratch your itch

And even though none of that’s true

It’s gonna’ take me getting’ mean to get me over you

Now I’ve embraced my grief and the child within

But now that child must become a man

And Cowboy the **** up

Stop the bleedin’ and buck up

[chorus]

LET’S CALL IT EVEN

One more woman she called me mean

I asked her what the hell’d she mean

Ain’t I done all I could do

To try to please you

She threw it right back in my face

She said there’s facts I had to face

She said I’ve done all I could do

To try to please you

Well if both done all we can do it’s a good thing that we’re through

Let’s call it even

You know I tried hard to be true

She never believed that that was true

I really hate to make a fuss

But we don’t please us

Don’t matter who’s wrong or right

If she wants to hate me that’s her right

Blame Zarathustra Odin or Jesus

But we don’t please us

[chorus x 2]

SEEMS LIKE SHE DON’T LIKE MY SONG NO MORE

When you love a woman for a while you begin to know her well

You can tell by how she looks at you I swear you can tell by the way her skin smells

To you when you love her just what she’s thinkin’ too

And when her mind is someplace else while her body is there with you

Lately

Seems like she don’t like my song no more

Clever words sound silly not like before

When I sang to her songs that were because of her

Even though they weren’t that good

And I could tell she was sorta’ laughin’ at me

In my heart I felt she understood

That in my head I was hearin’ a full blown symphony

You can pretend not to notice what you know

Writin’s on the wall just gotta’ look

Go ahead and ignore it long as you can

But deep down you can read her like a book

Even if you don’t care for the ending

Final chapter’s here and now

Time to take your guitar and move along

Even alone you can still sing your song

[chorus]

DENIAL AIN’T ENOUGH

I’m probably not the worst guy you’ll ever run across

Been accused of overusin’ booze too little pasta too much sauce

But since your withdrawal my symptoms have shown me

You’re somethin’ I’m more addicted to than whiskey

Denial ain’t enough

Cold turkeyin’ you was tougher

Than fifty double A’s in forty days

I’m powerless and I need help but it’ll take a lot more than just twelve steps

‘Cuz losin’ booze don’t signify compared to losin’ you

I’ve learned the terminology takin’ one day at a time

Can’t find no higher power to help me toe this line

As weeks stretch out into months it’s startin’ to make sense

The only way I’ll ever kick you is full abstinence

[chorus]

ONLY FOR A MOMENT

I was empty in my soul didn’t know which way to go

Feelin’ like I’d been too far around

Too lost to ever be found again but then

You looked right into my eyes cut my fears right down to size

With one kiss you helped me to see

That I had closed my eyes to the beauty

Around me

You set me free

If it’s only for a moment

It’s enough to last forever and a day

Anyway

It’s time well spent you stay with me even when you go away

I’m not easy to surprise told and heard my share of lies

Somehow you just walked through all the walls

Were they ever really there at all can’t tell

But all’s well that ends well

[chorus]

SOMETHING ABOUT A SOPRANO

There’s something pleasant in the desperation

Knowing that it’s just another show

She’s provocative evocative

Of dreams you thought were gone

She moves with studied step consciously

Unconscious of what truly makes her graceful

And at times she shines

So bright it hurts to see

Somethin’ about a Soprano

The poet Rilke understands

Let her song roll over me

The way the waves break and roll up on the sand

My words are only a dim reflection

Unequal to the task at hand

Mere description an encryption

To hold on to when she’s gone

[chorus]

KISSING ON A CROWDED DANCE FLOOR

We’re sorta’ like night and day

 She took the high road I took the long way

From that third grade square dance hall

 Teacher paired us up ‘cuz we were both tall

Somehow different roads led us here

Now we’re dancin’ again

After all these years and

Kissin’ on a crowded dance floor

Took a while but she was worth the wait

What tomorrow holds can’t contemplate

Tonight is young and so are we

Yesterday is too far gone to see

Didn’t realize it was you until we talked a while

Over a drink or two

Was it coincidence or chance doesn’t matter much

But when’s our next dance

[chorus]

SIX PACK AIN’T ENOUGH

One beer in thinkin’ of you

Two beers in still thinkin’ of you

Three beers in

Begin to get perspective

Four beers in ask myself why

Five beers in still ask myself why

Six beers in

Begin to answer that very question

Six pack ain’t enough to get down to the bottom

Better switch to the hard stuff and smoke ‘em if I got ‘em

‘Cuz I got a lot to think (drink) about tonight

Shot or two thinkin’ of you

Another one still thinkin’ of you

Number four

Begins to bring perspective

At number five start to lose count

Not sure what I’m drinkin’ about

By number six

Just thinkin’ about drinkin’

[chorus]

LUCKY IN LOVE

Once upon a time there was this guy named Enrique

Never could settle down

‘Til he rolled the dice with sweet young Argenta

God she made his heart pound

Spent some time on the strip out in Reno

She drove him wild as that town

He couldn’t lose while she was beside him

Bet his heart doubled down

‘Cuz he (he’d been) was lucky in love

Had the streak goin’ all the time knowin’

That winnin’ and losin’ like women and boozin’

Just part of the game

Then there came a time when Enrique was all in

Did not get the draw

Argenta cashed in and moved to the next table

Was the last time he saw her

Walked to the desert to watch the sunrise

Brighter than that old town

Took a deep breath and just kept on walkin’

Lost his heart but then found

[chorus]