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. |
HAPPY AS YOU'VE MADE ME
07:07
|
|||
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'VE BEEN LEARNING
04:10
|
|||
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
|
Ben Stalets Toledo, Ohio
“Ben Stalets is the folk hero Toledo needs right now.” - Jason Webber, The Blade
Streaming and Download help
If you like Ben Stalets, you may also like:
Bandcamp Daily your guide to the world of Bandcamp