I've Known Love

The troubadour from Idaho discusses getting his break in Ireland, early years of van touring in the States, and writing on an empty stomach.

Josh Ritter

Big Country Blues (Townes Van Zandt)

follow me down to the water
lets fool around on the river bank sands
we'll share all our fears and a cigarette snipe
and wander these hills for the rest of out lives

i was haggard and half drunk
she was 19 yrs old
with the mouth of a sailor 
and a head full of coal

she said i just wanna drive
and find a new place
this towns got me bound
but still runnin the race

i could see in her smile
and the cross of her feet
she was talking to god
but lookin at me

chorus

climbed out on the shoals
playin hopscotch on stones
so we could lay on the rocks
as the river ran by

layin there naked
and prayin for change
in front of god and ourselves
and a new river train

said darlin i swear
the only lie that ive told
is not sayin i love you
13 days ago

chorus

she pulled from her pocket
some folded up papaer
said i wrote this for you
when i was 12 yrs old

its a letter to the man 
who would come down and save me
so come take my hand
and never let go

i said darlin dont worry
im sure they cant see us
we laughed while we made love 
to a train whistle blow

chorus x2

as long as i live
or as far as i travel
ill cherish your laugh
and new river trains

Follow Me Down To The Water

The hardcore troubadour talks about his early days in Nashville as a staff writer, empathy as the essential goal of the songwriter, and gratitude for the job he loves.

Steve Earle

MISTAKES
BAD BAD BREAKS
NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE

HEARTACHES
HEADFAKES
PART OF PAYING DUES

TOOTACHES
EARTHQUAKES
SHITTY EVENING NEWS

BIG SNAKES
CORN FLAKES
ANYTHING YOU CAN USE

REBATES
TAX RATES
LIVING LIFE ON SNOOZE

PRIMATES
CELL MATES
WE ALL GET THE BLUES

BLUE STATES
RED STATES
REALLY NO EXCUSE

IRONG GATES
FLOOD GATES
KILLER NAMED THE JUICE

ROLLER SKATES
ICE PLATES
DANGLING FROM A NOOSE

MILK CRATES
MASTURBATES
HORSE SHIT ON YOUR SHOES

OBLITERATES
NEGOTIATES
CARIBBEAN CRUISE

INFLATES
NAUSEATES
RUNNING FROM A MOOSE

MISTAKES
CREATES
UP TO YOU TO CHOOSE

Mistakes DEMO Mp3

Your eyes oh, your eyes
your eyes blue as the sea
your smile oh, your smile
tears my heart to pieces
and I don't mind that you broke my heart
I'm just lucky that you loved me for a while

You can't say that it wasn't real
and lies can't hide the way you really feel
I don't mind to say goodbye to you
cause I'm just lucky that you loved me for a while

I'm lucky that you loved me
yeah I'm lucky that you did
I guess something about me couldn't keep the fire lit
you can't make a mistake if at the time it's what you want
love was meant to be reckless
and sometimes to feel wrong

I guess you never felt the spark
when I held your hand
or you just didn't understand
all the words I said
I guess I lacked the luster
for you to love me as I am
but I'm just lucky that you loved me for a while

I'm lucky that you loved me
yeah I'm lucky that you did
I guess something about me couldn't keep the fire lit
you can't make a mistake if at the time it's what you want
love was meant to be reckless
and sometimes to feel wrong

Lucky That You Loved Me For a While

It's a long shot baby, but I'm gonna write a song
Don't know what to say but I'm gonna write a song
Gonna say some words until they stick
I feel like I am full of shit
But I just wanna write a song

I tried to write about the tree's
I tried to write about the seasons
But it sounded like most other songs I've heard
All my thoughts are scattered
And all my dreams are shattered
Cause I guess I just forgot how to write a song

It's a long shot baby, but I'm gonna write a song
Don't know what to say but I'm gonna write a song
Gonna say some words until they stick
I feel like I am full of shit
But I just wanna write a song

Well I tried to write a love song
But then she didn't love me
And I tried to write a heartbreak song
But then I fell in love again
And I tried to write a song about the President
But I was told I gotta just shut up and sing!
"I don't wanna hear about your opinions man, just shut the hell up and sing me Wagon Wheel!"

It's a long shot baby, but I'm gonna write a song
Don't know what to say but I'm gonna write a song
Gonna say some words until they stick
I feel like I am full of shit
But I just wanna write a song
I just wanna write a song

I Just Wanna Write a Song, Sometimes Talkin' Blues

Gone is Gone

Outlaw Road

Through Kyle's music, he wears not just his heart on his sleeve, but his soul as well. His lyrics are deep yet simple and there is a realness in his voice that reality shows can't touch. - Mark Renz

I Just Wanna Write a Song, Sometimes Talkin' Blues

Kyle Keller

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