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Live at The Sub Shop

by Ben Stalets

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1.
LUCKY DOG 03:59
All I have is luck It’s everything I am It’s these scratch off’s I’ve won It’s my girlfriend Brianne Her ex bought her that boob job & god I love her rack Sometimes he’ll take her to eat He’ll even pay the tab All I have is luck It’s how I get to see my mom It’s why her aim sucks & They let her out before too long She didn’t even wanna kill him Just keep his ass in line Yeah I guess they’ve made amends Cuz they’ve been married twice What you need is luck when you grow up poor IT’S how you get what ya want What you need is luck When daddy’s paychecks Don’t add up Nothing puts you to sleep Like dreaming you might be Getting Lucky When you wake up All I have is luck It’s how I got to where I am In my dad’s broke down truck A miller highlife in my hand & Lucy’s tongue hung in the air I’m white so the cops don’t seem to care Though they got me once before But It ain’t on my record anymore (But this truck don’t run anymore) What you need is luck when you grow up poor You never have enough What you need is luck When you watch your brother die In your trailer parking lot Nurse said it was bad luck The way that their car struck If it weren’t bad luck He could’ve just walked it off If it wasn’t for bad luck I wouldn’t have, none at all
2.
LOWEST RENT 03:38
Mama worries Bout the dealer next door Says it’s a matter of time Before they wage a war Which I believed, now he sells me weed And I like Timmy whole lot more than before & its the neighborhood we both can afford I get home from work My neighbors bitchin bout Some young punk’s Playing music loud I nod to agree, then I stop to think This is why they can’t price us out & I like what I’m paying now & We’ve got the lowest rent around We’ve got the lowest rent in town We’ve got the lowest rent around So that kid better never turn his music down We didn’t move here because we’re rich I play music, baby sells vintage We had choose it, we grew used to it The trade of is I don’t work third shift, and sometimes kids steal our shit & We’ve got the lowest rent around We’ve got the lowest rent in town We’ve got the lowest rent around 'Cuz the catalytic converters that we drive without Every night here Sounds like the 4th of July But I've never seen Fireworks in the sky I hope that rich couple, doesn’t buy in cuz I wanna live here for the rest of my life, maybe not forever but at least for a while & We’ve got the lowest rent around We’ve got the lowest rent in town We’ve got the lowest rent around So I hope that Timmy never sells out
3.
BREAK EVEN 04:47
Well I won’t leave, as clean (as) I came here, sounds fair Got a rap sheet, some bad ink, had an affair & lost some hair Ev-ryone wants to blame me & as bad as I wanna blame them You can’t have a pretty spring, without three shitty seasons I just wanna break even My Ex knew, of a friend who, had a line on some easy money Wound up guilty, of a few things I didn’t wanna be but nobody wants to be & I hate the hand I was dealt but there’s no chance I’ll beat it So I’ll keep my hands to myself, ’til we’re out back - then I’ll steal it I just wanna break even There are times I’ve been cheated Other Times I’ve felt conceited But Nothing ever stays in season I just want to break even Even though I can’t catch a break Oh Wont you just gimme a break? As I stepped off, the ledge on, high level, where the broken meet the devil Heard a cop warn, from his bull horn, you gotta think of, all of your loved ones Thinkin’ bout what I put them thru is the reason why I’m leaving So when I die, don’t cry, make sure my baby is eating Have a good time don’t ask why, so long as my mom takes it easy
 Funerals ain’t for the dead they’re for the people grieving & I’m just dying to break even
4.
ROOFING SONG 04:20
I was smoking on a roof Taking in the view Thinkin if this ain’t beautiful Then what is to you? (When) Kenny threw up a tall boy So we drank another round Hoping that shingle might get up And nail itself down It’s funny how money Makes the rich man seem poor When he needs something More than he can afford We do the work He needs the work done So pay us what it’s worth Or we’ll take our tools and run Ken used to work on the roof Now he yells up from below Ever since he fell off & got knocked out cold We lifted him with 2 by’s Into my truck bed & Raced him to the Doctor To make sure he weren’t dead Baby I’m poor cuz I spend all I have On port, pork & child support before it touches the debt collectors hand
5.
GYPSY LEGS 06:10
The Sunkist her skin a darker Like a cave her hair jet black Eyes light up like two full moons A wolf prepares to attack Arms full of bags, wandering legs Safe to say she’s on the run With my heart pining & her smile shining Who’d though SHE’d come undone She stood like a mountain tall Proud and free She could shame a water fall The way she fell for me At night she’d burn like a candle bright Come morning gone with the wind By the day she was sweet as sunshine At night fall back at it again She’s not the kind for taming Can’t you recognize a wild mare She’s the kind that you can’t maintain She can hold a far away stare There’s 10k ways to say I love you & I couldn’t think of one I was the ocean and she was a wave She fell and we moved on Now mama says she has a new man And she’s married good I suppose at night that’s why she ran She’d probably leave him if I would
6.
ROCK BOTTOM 05:50
Never thought id see the day that they’d lay me off Been livin’ between checks & workin for this job But when my boss retired, they hired his son bob & Bob didn’t think (that) my job, was worth what it cost I put myself out there, hungry for a job With a month full of nowhere, i was looking for banks to rob But I’ve never held a gun, never had no trouble with the law My only problem’s ever been, that son of a bitch bob. Nobody told me no one’s holding my harness Or borrowing credit just buys another problem But here I am,’ dick in hand, and I’m jobless Everybody’s got a plan ’til they hit rock bottom I cased bobs place & learned his routine First time I broke in, I took his car and his jewelry I parted out the car, ’til I paid off all my liens But, the next time I went to bob’s was strictly out of greed Strictly out of greed When I saw the way he lived, I was down so bad Cuz I’ve been bustin ass since he dribbled out his dad I never won the lotto, or fell on my old man It wasn’t enough to have enough, I wanted everything he had Nobody told him I could pull out his carpet Or selling debt just buys another problem But here I am,’ gun in and, and bob’s sobbing Everybody’s got a plan ’til they hit rock bottom
7.
JIMMY JAZZ 08:00
If I had to sell st. Pete on the sweet thing he did That song would be too long, but I’d bet he’s already told him Sold him the moon, didn’t pay the tax Lied about the size, Jimmy Jazz He’d say I don’t need to buy, a motorcycle I need a breeze, LSD & Easy Rider Cuz he thought I’d crash… when I crashed He had the heart of a dad, Jimmy Jazz When you meet St. Pete at the gate, teach me his secret handshake You’re not the only one who’s made mistakes & I’ll stay & wait, with your daughters in the rain Just save me a place When he finally died he left me an upright bass He knew I didn’t play and they take up so much space He was always gonna have the last laugh Now every time I trip over that, I’m cursing Jimmy Jazz If you didn’t think it was killing me too, I finally fooled ya But I’m at ease when my mind sees you twirling a boogla So if you see me holding tears back, then the tears turn into laughs I’m just recalling the past, with Jimmy Jazz When you meet St. Pete at the gate, don’t mention my name He know we both made mistakes & I’ll stay & wait, with your daughters in the rain Just save me a place
8.
DESIRE 05:18
Jeep’s parked on a dead end street Cop creeping up must be lonely Don’t the bullied become bullies But we aint botherin’ no one - Thought we were out of sight Now we’re dancing in their (spot)lights I know this ring is too tight But force it on, we’re gonna act like you’re my wife Who/I knows bow we got here (But) we’re here right or wrong. If desire’s just fear I fear my desire’s just too strong * I’d rather die smiling Than lying bout what I want Lying about what I’ve done (I feel my desires coming on, I’d rather be crucified) Don’t matter where I found that ring Just pull up your god damn stockings Grab some napkins from the glove compartment & Darlin, I’m gonna do the talking Good night officer What’s the problem here? No she’s not sir That’s my wife & we’re celebrating 20 years She said she’s feeling old, so I I tried something from our youth Now I’d just like to take her home, officer, if that’s ok with you Can’t believe he had no clue I figured he had to remember you But, since I already paid you How bout we do what we came to That cop aint coming back So don’t look at me like that & you’re tougher than you act / I hate to see you sad Climb up here on daddy’s lap Dance on daddy’s lap
9.
You should see the way they look at you, when you walk away How they say you’re so cool but don’t know the toll it takes When I tell them you’re with me, it fills my cup with greed I want you to be, happy as you’ve made me No surprise that you’re feelin worn, like an old home tape Where you were played before, now you’re the only one awake Roll over and go to sleep, I’ll turn off the TV I want you to be, happy as you’ve made me Happy as you’ve made me, I wish I was saying that it’s gravy Happy as you’ve made me, But I’ve been burnt out lately God knows I’ve played my part & I’m in love with your broken heart Happy as you’ve made me Sometimes I take the wheel, when I can’t wait I Sometimes don’t know how to feel, & I’m stone faced One day I’ll get it straight.. enough - you’re gonna see I want you to be, happy as you’ve made me
10.
DAVY'S WIFE 04:17
I was walking, with my own two feet I was dancing, with anyone that'd dance with me Galavanting lord, it was plenty plain to see I ain't gonna do much dancing anymore I was talking to the rich folks up the street They was asking me about the holes in my feet Told 'em I was dancing with anyone that'd dance with me They said that's fine don't dance with Davey's wife Davy's wife, davy's wife You look so nice But you'll go dancing holes into my heart If you offer me a bed, I'll look anywhere else instead 'cuz I know good and well you're davy's wife I was walking, walking up the street when I saw Laurie, Lordy - she came up to me she said I saw you dancing with everyone but me I said that's fine 'cuz you're crazy davy's wife She said boy, have you heard of hearsay and conjecture she said boy, I'm insisting that you make a gesture I said, I didn't wanna be rude little girl, I just didn't want to intrude On the lady they call crazy davy's wife Davy's wife, davy's wife You look so nice But you'll go dancing holes into my heart If you offer me a bed, I'll look anywhere else instead 'cuz I know good and well you're davy's wife She took me, took me by the hand we went dancing, dancing all over town All the other girls looked mad, when they saw us hand & hand but when she whispered into my ear, I couldn't see or hear I found out pretty soon what it means to be made a liar I found out soon, why you don't lay down beside her Davy's big and mean, his gun is long and lean That old 44 was the last thing that I seen Davy's wife, davy's wife You look so nice But you'll go dancing holes into my heart If you offer me a bed, I'll look anywhere else instead 'cuz I know good and well you're davy's wife I'm six feet in the ground with davy's wife.
11.
STONE 04:57
We were only children Of family that left us behind I wonder if your brother knew you counted on him In 03 when he took his life You married your high school sweetheart & had Megan, daddy’s heartbreaker Came back from the core with a family to save for & got straight job on a grain elevator Your wife & daughter adore you Still waitin’ til you make it home Where nobody showed you what men are meant to do You were better than The Rolling Stones You laid a foundation over old bones We celebrated our 10 year reunion At Suj’s funeral home Just like every good prank we played as children You had a smile on like it was all a joke But I read about how you suffered & I read that you weren’t alone When the same grain that made the bread that you buttered Buried you in a silo Your wife & daughter reflect you Every time that I’m back home Where you showed me what broken men can be You were father your kids would know You laid a foundation over old bones You laid a foundation made out of stone
12.
FATHER'S DAY 03:33
Barbecue’s in the air today New Balance shoes are on display Much to the bastards dismay I guess it’s Father’s Day Somewhere this boy became a man A man that says I understand moms done the best she can I’ve put my poor mom through Broken bones and blown tissues Yet she never turned me loose Not like her old man was great An alcoholic without much to say But we learned from their mistakes All I got from him Couldn't fill up my fists He's just a grown man Who turned his back Where my mom's been With thick skin and a violin & I'm grateful to have her for a dad Happy Father's Day to my mom, again. Even inmate’s on death row Mother’s think they’re pure as snow Guess it’s unconditional While a dad can leave at any time & say “well, at least I tried” & go on with his life
13.
E.G.B.A. 08:44
Way back on Calvary Jesus was spread out like a bird for the world to see Everybody sang let it be In harmony until we all agree Everything’s gonna be alright x4 Adam got so annoyed by eve That she would never pick a place to eat So she chose an applebee’s Just to flirt with a snake in the weeds Everything’s gonna be alright x4 I’ve seen a world so loving I refuse to remember any of her ugly Damn Noelle how’d we get so lucky I know this is hard so you’re gonna have to trust me Everything’s gonna be alright x4 & When I can’t come home to you I’m wound like the thread of a rope to you & when it’s dark, just know the night’s only crawling thru To drag me one day closer to you. Even the dying and the decrepit Know that this life only lasts but a second & in the end every moment will beckon Times more a friend than it ever was a weapon. Everything’s gonna be alright x4
14.
BREAK 03:37
For those of you who haven’t had the pleasure To spend time in a detention center There’s one meal that brings us all together Should be a crime the way it makes us feel better Everyone brings the things we need With what they find in the commissary No limit on the mouths it feeds Even the guards grab a bite to eat It gets old being rounda bunch a dudes Unless that’s the kinda stuff you’re into I used to dream bout Mary Lou But she left me for my neighbor Stu Clearin’ my mind was kinda hard You can only play so many cards But finding a friend you don’t gotta look far & a break might cure a breaking heart You take ramen, slim Jims, chips & corn flakes Mix with water in a big trash bag You smash it (up), roll it (up) til its a paste If you catch a case, just make a break Stew had a safe I was gonna go Rob There’s no way I was gonna get caught But I forgot about his dumb guard dog I slipped and fell and Stu called the cops Nobody wanted to wind up here It’s not as bad as what you hear But i’ve gained some training for my career & tasting a break could make me shed a tear
15.
I thought I was a tough guy After the only fight I’d win I finally saw some light When I got my ass beat beneath the jungle gym I guess it was worth it, with all of that hurtin I was learning how nothing is certain Would’ve bet those rednecks Who use the internet to defend their rights Would’ve stood behind innocent When the cops take an unarmed life Instead they surface for the killers in the service I’ve been learning nothing is certain Could’ve sworn she was a shoe in Life long career of experience Up against that curmudgeon Making liars out of scientists She looked perfect next to that circus I was learnin nothing was certain No exceptions, not even death nor taxes As you watch the angry fat man on T.V. yapping On borrowed time & other's dimes that he's cashed in Whole time he's laughing - sorta like black magic
16.
DESPERADO 03:37
Never said I’m a desperado But you can call me whatever you want Got Busted somewhere south side of Chicago For Less than an oz so the judge threw it out I’m sorry mama, to give you flashbacks But don’t be dramatic it’s not that bad Don’t say that your daughter’s gone bad I’m not taking the same path As my old man Can’t a girl have a little fun Everyone causes trouble sometimes Even you’ve done a couple hit and run’s Why not me? Cuz I’m his blood line I know everything he wasn’t You deserved a partner and a husband But he’s my dad and I still love him / & that means something I’m tired of taking the slack For my old man Would it kill you to say something nice I know you’re hurt but that doesn’t make it right I’m your kid & he’s nowhere in sight & there’s more than one way that blade sliced // It took two to bring me to life He’s my old man I never got to be a daddy’s girl See him bout once or twice a year & I never never let my hair unfurl Just small talk and a beer So if you’re worried bout being replaced I want to give you a little bit of grace All your resentment’s been misplaced Now our relationship at stake Not my old man’s
17.
CAROLINE 05:40
Caroline I feel sick Where's the line I can't see it What's back home is on my mind I'd love to talk but she can't find time Won't you please take me home I love your pines and the winding road But seasons change and its growing cold And I'd rather be in Ohio Since I've been back time stood still I'll be back you know I will but your ways they aint for my faint little heart If I were to stick with you we'd fall apart Won't you please take me home I love your pines and the winding road But seasons change and its growing cold And I'd rather be in Ohio My back aches and my heart does too So much on my mind I wish you knew But everything I've known has never been true My only hope was to see this through Won't you please take me home I love your pines and the winding road But seasons change and its growing cold And I'd rather be in Ohio

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Live at The Sub Shop was record 2/25/2023 at The Original Sub Shop in Toledo, Ohio. "Ben Stalets is the folk hero Toledo needs" - Jason Webber, The Blade.

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released March 12, 2023

Recorded, Mixed & Mastered by Bunky Hunt
Photography by Ellen Dziubek

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Ben Stalets Toledo, Ohio

“Ben Stalets is the folk hero Toledo needs right now.” - Jason Webber, The Blade

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