I've Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1)

Some Things I'll Never Know

My New Album Delta Dusk & Soul will be releases on a streaming platforms November 6th. This is a sneak preview for SoundCloud only. Let me know what is your most memorable song!

Toxic Betrayal

LYRICS:
[Verse]
The clock is ticking
Soft as rain
Each second falls
And leaves a stain
We sit and wait
For something bright
But miss the glow of the fading light

[Chorus]
Oh
The hours we let go
Like rivers we can't slow
How do we love the time we hold
Before it's just a tale we told?

[Verse 2]
I held the morning in my hand
Watched it slip like desert sand
Chasing dreams
But standing still
Climbing shadows on the hill

[Prechorus]
Tell me now
Before it’s gone
How to linger where we belong

[Chorus]
Oh
The hours we let go
Like rivers we can't slow
How do we love the time we hold
Before it's just a tale we told?

[Bridge]
The sun hangs low
with a fleeting glimpse
Of all the things we love and miss
The minutes laugh
The days they run
We waste the moon
We waste the sun

[Prechorus]
Tell me now
Before it’s gone
How to linger where we belong

[Chorus]
Oh
The hours we let go
Like rivers we can't slow
How do we love the time we hold
Before it's just a tale we told?

The Time We Hold

"I Could Find You” is a country love song about knowing someone so deeply that you could find them anywhere — even in a crowd, even with your eyes closed. It’s about a love that feels familiar, steady, and true, the kind you don’t have to see to recognize. Simple, heartfelt, and made straight from the soul.

I Could Find You

Recorded 2024

LYRICS

(Verse 1)
Some days the sun don’t shine,
No matter how you pray,
You pour your heart into the work, but the bills still don’t get paid.
And sometimes love runs dry,
Like whiskey in the glass,
You hold on tight to forever, but nothin’ ever lasts.
(Pre-Chorus)
But I’ve learned a thing or two from all the times I’ve cried,
The road gets rough before the ride feels right.

(Chorus)
No, it ain’t always easy,
Sometimes it’s hell to get through,
You lose a friend, you lose yourself, then find what’s true.
The hard days make you stronger,
The long nights test your faith,
And every scar you carry’s got somethin’ good to say.
No, it ain’t always easy,
But it’s a damn fine way to live.

(Verse 2)
That old guitar still hums,
When I’m too tired to sing,
The songs remind me where I’ve been and what pain can bring.
I’ve loved and I’ve lost,
And I’ve made my share of mistakes,
But grace don’t show up early — it just knows when to wait.
(Pre-Chorus)
Yeah, time’s a teacher, but it don’t come kind,
You pay your dues and you learn in time.

(Chorus)
No, it ain’t always easy,
Sometimes it’s hell to get through,
You lose a friend, you lose yourself, then find what’s true.
The hard days make you stronger,
The long nights test your faith,
And every scar you carry’s got somethin’ good to say.
No, it ain’t always easy,
But it’s a damn fine way to live.

(Bridge)

And one day when I’m gone,
And they carve my name in stone,
I hope they say I loved this life even when it hurt to hold.

(Final Chorus)
No, it ain’t always easy,
But I’d do it all again,
Through the heartbreak, through the laughter, through the wind.
The hard days make you humble,
The good ones get you high,
And it all adds up to one hell of a ride.
No, it ain’t always easy…
But, Lord, it’s a beautiful life.

(Outro)
Yeah, it ain’t always easy…
But it’s a damn fine way to live.

Ain't Always Easy

Recorded 2025

LYRICS

(Verse 1)
You’re standin’ by the window, starin’ at the rain
Coffee’s gone cold, but the hurt's still the same
I’m sittin’ on the couch, strummin’ this old guitar
Tryin’ to find the words that’ll bring me back to you

(Pre-Chorus)
We’ve both got our reasons, both have our pride
But every word we speak just widens the divide

(Chorus)
Don’t know what to say to make it right
We’ve been talkin’ circles half the night
Both think we’re right, yet both feel wrong
Two stubborn hearts holdin’ on for dear life
Love’s still here, but it’s slippin’ away
And I don’t know what to say

(Verse 2)
You turn up the radio, to drown out the pain
Same ol’ song about losin’ someone
I wanna reach out, but I freeze inside
Feels like we’re strangers with no place to hide

(Pre-Chorus)
We used to laugh, we used to dream
Now it’s just echoes and a broken theme

(Chorus)
Don’t know what to say to make it right
We’ve been fightin’ shadows every night
Both think we’re strong, both feel weak
Talkin’ loud, but we don’t speak
Love’s still here, but it’s driftin’ away
And I don’t know what to say

(Bridge)
Maybe tomorrow, when the storm dies down
We’ll find the truth in this battleground
Maybe love ain’t lost, just hard to find
When pride’s the wall and pain’s the bind

(Final Chorus)
Don’t know what to say, but I wanna try
I still see forever in your eyes
If words could heal, I’d shout your name
But silence cuts just the same
Love’s still here, I need you to stay
Even if I don’t know what to say

(Outro)
Yeah, love’s still here, but it’s slippin’ away
And I… don’t know what to say

Don’t Know What to Say

This song is for the women who’d trade pearls for peace, and fancy nights for backroad drives. It’s a country love song about finding joy in life’s little moments and love that feels real. 💜


Not Every Woman

"Let's Be Honest" - a raw, unfiltered take on accepting when a relationship has run its course. This outlaw country soul track strips away the pretense and faces the painful truth of a love that's faded beyond repair. With haunting imagery of cracked walls and cold coffee, the song walks listeners through the difficult journey from denial to acceptance. Not every story ends with reconciliation - sometimes the most honest thing is walking away with dignity intact. For fans of authentic country storytelling that isn't afraid to confront life's harder truths. Written and performed by Stephen Ryder.

#OutlawCountry #Americana #CountrySoul #RealTalk #BreakupSong

Let’s Be Honest

There's a sweet little boy we love so much
He fills us with joy and loves us a bunch
When he takes a nap, he cuddles up
He loves to dance and cut a rug

His name is Landon
I don't take him for granted
He likes swayin' n dancin'
He's my favorite grandson

Pop Pop always prays for you
Nana makes you yummy food
Little sister Ella plays with you
Dad takes n picks you up from school

They all love little Landon
Whether sittin' or standin'
He likes singin' n dancin'
He's my favorite grandson

Loves to play games on his Switch
Loves Mario, Luigi, Lilo and Stitch
Sister Ella watches Peppa Pig
Mushroom power makes him big

Everything he says and does
Makes me want to give him hugs
He takes a nap and cuddles up
Loves to dance and cut a rug

We all love little Landon
Even when he throws tantrums
He's sweet n he's handsome
He's my only grandson

Loves to play games on his Switch
Loves Minecraft, Lilo n Stitch
Sister Ella watches Peppa Pig
He rides bikes now that he's six

We all love little Landon
Even when we can't understand him
He loved playin' in Branson
He's my favorite grandson

My Favorite Grandson

We all get a little creaky with time — some folks call their body a temple, but mine? It’s a haunted house. It rattles, groans, and comes with a few stubborn ghosts that won’t quit complaining.

“My Body Ain’t No Temple (It’s a Haunted House)” is a tongue-in-cheek outlaw country tune about growing older, living hard, and laughing about it anyway. It’s a honky-tonk confession from a man who’s made peace with the cracks in the walls and the ghosts in his bones.

If you’ve ever woken up sore, poured a cup of coffee, and thought “yep, this place needs renovations,” this one’s for you.

My Body Ain’t No Temple

Stephen Ryder is a country artist with a storyteller’s heart, weaving real-life experiences into heartfelt, powerful songs. His music blends traditional country with modern influences, creating songs that speak to love, life, and the journey in between. 

With a growing catalog of music, Stephen continues to share songs that resonate with listeners, whether it’s a heartfelt ballad, a foot-stomping anthem, or a reflective tune about life’s unexpected roads. His dedication to authenticity and storytelling makes his music a perfect fit for country radio and beyond. Follow me on Spotify!  

https://open.spotify.com/artist/60jKjrPsJ9Z43m0qF60S74?si=ayZTWLy5T5udCZ1y1hhYlA