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1. |
Bad Things
03:32
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We saw the flames
We heard the shouts
There was only one road in, and only one road out
We left our cars
We ran on foot
While our whole lives went up in smoke
Bad Things happen somewhere else
Bad Things happen to other people
Bad Things happen to other names
In another time and place
We didn’t think
It would get this bad
But it’s not my sister, it’s not my dad
So we sit at home
And hoard our supplies
And hope death’s angel will pass us by
Bad Things happen somewhere else
Bad Things happen to other people
Bad Things happen to other names
In another time and place
The man in charge
Said it was time
For those opposed to fall in line
Lawyers, teachers,
Folks who never thought they’d leave
Are crossing borders now, refugees
Bad Things happen somewhere else
Bad Things happen to other people
Bad Things happen to other names
In another time and place
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2. |
I'm the One
04:00
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I thought your arm tattoo was hot, so I got one
I like the way to play guitar, so I learned your song
I’m not waiting for your love anymore
Cause I’m the one
I’ve been waiting for
I took the guitar that you gave me and named it
Used it to write this song, so I claimed it
Closed the case and shut the door, took that song and went to war
Cause I’m the one
I’ve been waiting for
I don’t need you
To live through
I don’t need you
To approve
I’m done hiding
What’s inside
So I don’t need you
To hide behind
You can watch me now from down below
Cause I’ve taken some Alice in Wonderland pills, now watch me grow
I’m not sorry you're stuck down there on the floor
Cause I’m the one
I’ve been waiting for
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3. |
Are You Using Your Heart
03:15
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From the corner of the bar, he’s giving me the eye
He’s three drinks in, and anyway he isn’t shy
I’ve been around the block, this isn’t my first day
I know he’s gonna sidle up to me and say
Excuse me, are you using your heart?
Thought I might take it with me, treat it bad, and tear it all apart
I promise we can have some fun before the hurting starts
Oh darling, tell me, are you using your heart?
Don’t get me wrong, he was just my type in younger days
A handsome face, pretty words and wild ways
But the truth behind those pretty words came out
I know just what he’ll say before he opens up his mouth
Excuse me, are you using your heart?
Thought I might take it with me, treat it bad, and tear it all apart
I promise we can have some fun before the hurting starts
Oh darling, tell me, are you using your heart?
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4. |
Let the Chips Fall
03:37
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Bad news hits you like a big-rig going 99
And blows you up like a tornado to a clothesline
I thought I was strong but never did have no control
So let the chips fall and let the dice roll
I disbelieved like a skeptic in the house of God
I thought I had time, I thought I was above the law
And I cried and I raged like the devil when he lost his soul
So let the chips fall and let the dice roll
It took me too many years to start to be brave
And I gotta move now while there’s a part of me that’s left to save
And I know that failing ain’t worse than doing nothing at all
So let the dice roll and let the chips fall
Love is a drug that makes you pretty tough to kill
My worst fears, they ain’t as bad as sitting still
I know you can’t win the bet that you never call
So let the dice roll and let the chips fall
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5. |
A Love Like Yours
03:18
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Shoved that computer off the desk
Started cutting trails and building fences
Counting butterflies and looking life straight in the eye
Saying you don’t owe me anything
You were on your own at 17
Working at the pool hall, smoking weed
Free food and cheap whiskey
What the hell else do you need
And no one owed you anything
You are my life’s inspiration
No matter where the road ahead may take us
The man you are, the chance we’ve taken
To know a love like yours means everything
Started racing demons on your bike
100 miles at a time, you learned to fly
As those California centuries roll by
You know that no one owes you anything
In your apartment we sit down with your guitar
When you sing harmony with me the world is ours
I’d give anything to stay here where you are
Where no one owes us anything
You are my life’s inspiration
No matter where the road ahead may take us
The man you are, the chance we’ve taken
To know a love like yours means everything
A love like yours means everything
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6. |
Plaid Shirt
03:13
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Your favorite plaid shirt is still hanging in our closet
The one you bought at the hippest spot in town
I knew that you were leaving. but I just can’t believe that
You’d leave behind your favorite plaid shirt.
Maybe she doesn’t like it as much as I do
Maybe she’s got a brand new look planned out for you
I knew that you were leaving me
I didn’t think you’d leave the memories
Of you and your favorite plaid shirt
They’re smiling from the frame
Your plaid shirt and my old name
And it’s a shame the way thinking of happy days can hurt
Thought I knew the man you were
Turns out I didn’t know at all
The man who’d leave behind his favorite plaid shirt
Maybe she doesn’t like it as much as I do
Maybe she’s got a brand new look planned out for you
I knew that you were leaving me
I didn’t think you’d leave the memories
Of you and your favorite plaid shirt
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7. |
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25 men, women, and children died in a small Texas town
38 went to hear some country songs when a sniper mowed them down
Our thought and prayers are with them, god bless the NRA
Cause that’s the price of freedom that we all have to pay
And we shouldn’t talk about it
We should just pray instead
Though I’m not sure God is listening with so many people dead
So, load another magazine before we hit the firing range
Cause if we talk about it, I might have to change
Oscar Grant was lying face-down on the cement
Trayvon was walking home that day with Skittles in his hand
Michael Brown was 18, George Floyd said he couldn’t breathe
But what makes you think that those men have anything to do with me
And we shouldn’t talk about it
The cops and their body bags
Cause you can die for nothing, but don’t disrespect the flag
Oh, you and I look different, but if it works for me, that’s fair
And if we talk about it, I might have to care
The journalists exposed him, his many years of crimes
And the women who had suffered finally brought their pain to light
But why should I believe them, they must want cash, they must want fame
Your violation’s fine with me, but don’t smear a good man’s name
And we shouldn’t talk about it
All the ways that you’ve been hurt
Cause then I’d have to think about the times when I treated you like dirt
And how the system’s stacked against you to favor men like me
If we talked then I’d have to acknowledge your humanity
25 men, women and children died in a small Texas town
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8. |
All Songs
03:37
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I’m singing songs while you rest on my shoulder
You always cry when the song is over
You’re just a baby, you don’t know yet
That all songs must come to an end
All songs must come
All songs must come
All songs must come
All songs must come to an end
It may be long,
The sweetest one
But all songs must come
All songs must come to an end
When you’re a young woman and you’re on your own
I’ll wish it was me you still depended on
I’m older than you, but I sometimes forget
That all songs must come to an end
All songs must come
All songs must come
All songs must come
All songs must come to an end
It may be long,
Your favorite one
But all songs must come
All songs must come to an end
So I’ll hold you close and kiss your root beer lips
And we’ll sing our way through this apocalypse
We know it well, though we like to pretend
But all songs must come to an end
All songs must come
All songs must come
All songs must come
All songs must come to an end
It may be long,
The sweetest one
But all songs must come
All songs must come to an end
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9. |
The Shot
03:06
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I got my shot the parking lot
Of a Baptist church on Wood street
With the freeway running by me
With the freeway running by me
Can’t say that I found Jesus
But there was rebirth in that needle
And angels under my feet
And angels under my feet
The second shot really knocked you out
You slept for one full day and night
Then you were back and work just fine
You were back at work just fine
And I can’t believe that we saw this through
We’re still together me and you
And we made it out alive
We made it out alive
I don’t know what I’ll tell them
My grandchildren
Maybe nothing
I’m not sure sad old stories
Count as wisdom
Count as wisdom
They say the milk my body makes
Will ensure our little girl is safe
And that’s worth more than gold
Yes that’s worth more than gold
Well there’s medals, and there’s money
But the prize bigger than any
Is living till we’re old
Is living till we’re old
I don’t know what I’ll tell them
My grandchildren
Maybe nothing
I’m not sure sad old stories
Count as wisdom
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10. |
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These days, if it’s not one thing, it’s another
Been worried ‘bout disease and drought and fire
And they say the whole world is getting hotter
Been feeling like that frog that finds itself in boiling water
My friends and family they ask us how we’re doing
Well, I’m still working and you’re in the union
Well you know how to hustle
And I know how to fight
God willing, and the creek don’t rise, we’re gonna be alright
Well we’ve sure seen a lot since we were younger
The world’s still full of violence, fear and hunger
We keep climbing up the same old hill, and rolling right back down
The fact that we keep climbing up, it proves we’re still around
My friends and family they ask us how we’re doing
Well, I’m still working and you’re in the union
Well you know how to hustle
And I know how to fight
God willing, and the creek don’t rise, we’re gonna be alright
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11. |
Invisible
02:46
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Do you understand any word but “No? “
Do you ever do anything but wait?
Do you know any time but later?
Are you ever anything except afraid?
Whether you like what you see, you’re gonna see it
Whether you like what I am, I’m gonna be it
It’s my life, and I will not live small
I’d rather die than be invisible
You don’t like it when I wear my hair up
You say that you don’t understand my pain
Even though you know that it takes two to wreck this
You say it’s only me that’s gotta change
Whether you like what you see, you’re gonna see it
Whether you like what I am, I’m gonna be it
It’s my life, and I will not live small
I’d rather die than be invisible
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12. |
I'm With the Band
03:17
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I don’t know if I’m what you expect
With my big hair and a name you can’t pronounce
But I could use a cold beer before sound check
And I’ve done this more times than I can count
That’s my name there on the poster
And I don’t need to pay the cover
You can let ‘em know I’m here
And you can stamp my hand
Cause I’m with the band
I’m with the band
I’m with the band
I’ve done a lot of living to get here
I’ve spent a lot of nights behind a microphone stand
I’ve had to face my inner demons and all my fear
Just to be able to say, I’m with the band
That’s my name there on the poster
And I don’t need to pay the cover
You can let ‘em know I’m here
And you can stamp my hand
Cause I’m with the band
I’m with the band
I’m with the band
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Laura Benitez and the Heartache Richmond, California
Laura Benitez and the Heartache use the three chord tools of country music to tell the simple, unvarnished truth about love, too much whiskey, and the call of the road. Their twangy honesty shines through in straightforward arrangements, crystalline harmonies, and spare instrumentation. Beware their catchy hooks and sweet melodies - these stray puppy tunes will follow you home. ... more
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