Faces

Still my little country girl
J. Michael Tracy  male vocal/uptempo
  
She loves Country Music and her Chevy truck
Has a 4 leaf clover, Just for luck
She loves barrel racin’ and blue butterflies
Chocolate shakes and curly-q fries
Rattlesnake boots and braidin’ her hair
She’s a genuine, diehard, NASCAR fan I swear,   uh huh

She’s done real good since she moved to the city
She gets what she wants cause she’s so dang pretty uh huh,  oh yeah

   She’s a Tennessee, brown eyed, blond haired cutey 
   Struttin’ down the street, just a shakin’ her booty

   She ain’t nothin’ like they ever seen a bona fide hayseed beauty queen
   Her roots are real deep, raised on a farm, got the city boys all in a whirl

   But she’s still my country girl

The agents all want her, the Paparazzi too
Does all the right things their dream come true
They want her on the covers of their magazines
In music videos and sellin’ their machines
She can do it all and say goodbye
Then forget all about it in the wink of an eye, oh yeah,  uh huh

Cause when the day is all over, and this is the key
I know she’s comin’ home with me,  uh huh,   oh yeah
(chorus)
Inst. verse
(chorus)
(chorus)

Still My Little Country Girl

Hell Bent For Leather
J. Michael Tracy  male vocal/uptempo


Was headed, for a breakdown
But I found her, and she saved me
Didn’t know where, to go now
But she did and, she gave me

A reason, for livin’
No wonder, I’m singin’
We’re movin’, and I’m ridin’
White thunder, and we’re flyin’

  Old Road King, I don’t care
  We’re west bound, and we’ll be there 

    Hell bent for leather,
    Iron and steel
    Blue skies and open roads, on two wheels
    
    Diggin this freedom
    And owe it all to you, I’m
    Hell bent for leather
  
I dressed her, and I ride her
Take pictures, beside her
California, Coast Byway
Grand Canyon, Lost Highway

We’ve seen it, and we did it
Life’s good cause, we’ve made it
This hair might, turn gray now 
Don’t matter, I’ll take it

  Old Road King, I don’t care
  But we’re Eastbound, and we’ll be there
(chorus)
(bridge)
  Can’t win for losin’
  So why should I stay
  Cause this highway’s callin’
  And we're on our wayayyy
(chorus)
(tag)
   Hell bent for leather

Hellbent For Leather

POINT OF NO RETURN
J. MICHAEL TRACY  MALE, FEMALE VOCAL/UPTEMPO
   (Oh yeah)
   (Un huh) 
   (Ooooooooooooo)
Katie’s cryin’, cause he’s come home
It’s happenin’ again

Says, he, loves her, but he’s drinkin’
And drinkin’ makes him act insane

   The whiskey tells him everything is fine
   The bruises on her face, say he’s lost his mind
   Tonight she’ll say “No more”, tonight he’s gonna learn
   Katie’s reached the point of no return
   (Oh yeah)
   (Un huh)
   (Oooooooooooo)


Drunken laughter, he grabs her hair
And Katie comes undone

But he, ain’t, laughin’, when she turns around
Cause Katie’s got his shotgun
(chorus)
(Oh yeah)
   (Un huh)
   (Oooooooooooo)

(Inst. interlude)
   (Oh yeah)
   (Un huh)
   (Oooooooooooo)
(chorus)
   That whiskey told him everything was fine
   Those bruises on her face, said he’d lost his mind
   Tonight she said “No more”, tonight he had to learn  
   Now that Katie’s reached the point of no return

(tag)
   (Oh yeah, Un huh)
    She’s reached the point of no return
   (Un huh, Oooooooooooooo)
   Point of no return

Point of no return

                            SHE’S IN TEXAS NOW                                                        
                      J. Michael Tracy                        female vocal/up tempo                              
Another night of drinkin
Said now, he weren’t think’n
And didn’t see why he should call

Ain’t no more room for leeway
That night she hit the freeway
She ain’t lookin back at all------ever again
(chorus 1)
   She’s headed back to Austin
   Two days out of Boston
   She crossed that border—doin 95

   He tried to make her stay
   She said there ain’t no way she’s take’n it
   Anymore, anyhow, she’s in Texas now

Tonight he called her cry’n
Said, he felt like die’n
And asked her if, she’d ever loved him at all

She said “ Now I’ve been thinkin
And I ain’t been drinkin
There ain’t no need for you to call, ever again!!”
(chorus)
   She’s headed back to Austin
   Two days out of Boston
   She crossed that border, doin’ 95
   
   He tried to make her stay
   She said there ain’t no way she’s takin’ it
   Anymore, anyhow, she’s in Texas now
   She’s back in Texas
(chorus 1)
(tag)
   She’s back in Texas now
   She’s back in Texas now
   In Texas now                                                               
c 4/04

She's in Texas now   (s)

This Cowgirl’s Heart
J. Michael Tracy   female vocal/up tempo

 As he walked by he caught my eye, but his smile never changed
That brunette jewel hanging from his buckle looked, a little underage
But he was flying high tonight and, couldn’t break his stride
For the woman that just yesterday was “The best time of his life.”
   But I can stop this pain  
   I’ll grab my horse and ride
   And it might be insane
   But I’ve still got my pride
   So I will not give in
   And I won’t fall apart
   Cause no one breaks this  
   Cow—girl’s—heart 
   Oh no
We’ll  ride Cheyenne tomorrow,  and I know I’ll see him there
He’ll come up with some great excuses he’s, carefully prepared.
Expecting me to break down, to cuss his name and cry
But a new wind’s blowin’ through my hair and it’s, dryin’ out my eyes
   And I can stop this pain
   I’ll grab my horse and ride
   And it might be insane
   But I’ve still got my pride
   So I will not give in
   And I won’t fall apart
   Cause no one breaks this  
   Cow—girl’s—heart 
   Oh no
   Oooooo Oooooo Ooooooooo
He’s gamblin’ on a game, that he won’t win
He ain’t that good and I don't need him    
   Cause I can stop this pain  
   I’ll grab my horse and ride
   And it might be insane
   But I’ve still got my pride
   So I will not give in
   And I won’t fall apart
   Cause no one breaks this  
   Cow—girl’s—heart 
   Oh no
   Oooooo  Oooooo Ooooooooo
c 7-04

This Cowgirl's Heart   (s)

                        Whadayasay 
                         J. Michael Tracy   male vocal/uptempo
The whole wide world is waitin--and we’ve been hesitatin
Why we’re still here I don’t know

But we won’t ever get there—in this town of nowhere
So come on girl—let’s—go 

   I’ll find us a place where the grass is greener
   Stars are brighter and the air is sweeter
   Cool clear water, sunshine everyday 

   I’ll start us a business
   I’ll fish for our supper
   Build a log cabin-designed for lovers
   Nest-led-in-our moun-tain hide-a-way
   Baby Whadayasay

Ya know we’ll find our heaven—and start a new beginnin
It won’t take us very long

Cause if we work together—it’ll get better and better
How can we—go—wrong 

   I’ll find us a place where the grass is greener
   Stars are brighter and the air is sweeter
   Cool clear water, sunshine everyday 

   I’ll start us a business
   I’ll fish for our supper
   Build a log cabin-designed for lovers
   Nest-led-in-our mountain hide-a-way
   Baby Whadayasay


      And when our years have turned to gold
      We’ll look back at us and----tell the world that we have

   Found us a place where the grass is greener
   Stars are brighter and the air is sweeter
   Cool clear water, sunshine every day

   We started us a business
   We fished for our supper
   Built a log cabin
   Designed for lovers
   Nestled in a mountain hideaway             

   We started us a business                                                                
   We fished for our supper                                              
   Built a log cabin                                                                            
   For us young lovers                                                                               
   Lived our dreams and watched our children play

   C’mon Whadayasay
c 10/99

Whadayasay   (s)

LIKE ICE CREAM
J. Michael Tracy   female vocal/uptempo

Ya say it’s cold, well I think it’s hot
I like vanilla, you like chocolate 
And you’re everything to me, I’m smitten ya see

I’m the north, and you are the south
You are the quiet one, I got the mouth
And on this we both agree, I guarantee 

    Yeah baby, we’re still here
    And it’s blowin’ their minds
    I think they forgot how to see
    And how’d they get so blind

    Yeah wee, are livin’ our dreams
    So let’s show em how love can chase them blues away
    Brighten the sky, on a, cloudy day
    Blow kisses, and make em taste like ice cream, like ice cream

Some say, we won’t last
Say we fell in love, way too fast
And that we should’ve thought it through, huh, if they only knew

But they’re the ones, livin’ a lie
Payin’ bills, just gettin’ by
That’s somethin’ we don’t plan to do, and it’s so true
    
    Yeah baby, we’re still here
    And it’s blowin’ their minds
    I think they forgot how to see
    And how’d they get so blind

    Yeah wee, are livin’ our dreams
    So let’s show’em how love can chase them blues away
    Brighten the sky on a, cloudy day
    Blow kisses, and make em taste like ice cream, like ice cream

    Why should we care what they think
    Let’s make us some tea, and pour a couple a nice cold drinks
    
    Yeah baby, we’re still here
    And it’s blowin’ their minds
    I think they forgot how to see
    And how’d they get so blind

    Yeah wee, are livin’ our dreams
    So let’s show em how love can chase them blues away
    Brighten the sky on a, cloudy day
    Blow kisses, and make em taste like ice cream, like ice cream
    
    Like Ice cream
    Like Ice cream                                                                             

c 11/00

Like Icecream   (s2)

Friends say, maybe one day
I’ll find a new romance
But given the circumstance
It’s hard to believe it

If I cry, you’re the reason why
Baby I fall apart
And live with a broken heart
I feel like die'n

How long, can I sing this song
And how long, can I live without you
How long can life go on
And how long, can I live without you now

A lifetime, is a long time
If hopin’ is my mistake
Knowin’ the chance I take
I’ll keep on tryin’

You’re gone, but I’ll carry on
Hoping to win your love, I’ll never give it up
I won’t deny it

How long, can I sing this song
And how long, can I live without you
How long can life go on
And how long, can I live without you now

Somewhere in time, I will find you
I pray by then, you’ll want me there
To stand beside you

How long, can I sing this song
And how long, can I live without you
How long can life go on
And how long, can I live without you now

How long, can I sing this song
And how long, can I live without you now

c-12-2024

How Long   (s)

She loved me
And when I couldn’t say it
She still loved me
And on my darkest days, I wonder

How could this ol heart deserve the love she had to give
She filled up my life, with hopes and dreams, and we lived

Cause She loved me
Even when I was un-lovable
She still loved me
I thank my lucky stars above and

How could this ol heart deserve the love she had to give
She filled up my life, with hopes and dreams, and we lived

She loved me
…It doesn’t matter why 
Cause she still loved me
She’s waiting in the sky with Jesus

How could this ol heart deserve the love she had to give
She filled up my life, with hopes and dreams, and we lived

Cause She loved me
Even when I was un-lovable
She still loved me
I thank my lucky stars above and

How could this ol heart deserve the love she had to give
She filled up my life, with hopes and dreams, and we lived


Cause she loved me
Yeah
She loved me
Yeah, oh oh

c  3/21

She Loved Me  (s)

-----Ya think you’ll find yourself
---The other side of our door
--And I can’t count the many times
---We’ve been here before

   What can I do—just give me a sign
   Yer killin’ me
   And it ain’t the first time
   No it ain’t the first time

Can’t ya see—the love you need
-----I have right here
---And if you’d open up your eyes 
It would be so clear............

   What can I do—just give me a sign
   Yer killin’ me
   And it ain’t the first time
   No it ain’t the first time
   You’ve been--with other guys
   You think I’d—know—by—now that it’s time
   ----To say---good bye

   What can I do—just give me a sign
   Yer killin’ me
   And it ain’t the first time
   No it ain’t the first time

My heart keeps telling me to stay
But my mind says go
Which is right and---what is wrong
How would I even know
   
What can I do—just give me a sign
   Yer killin’ me
   And it ain’t the first time
   No it ain’t the first time
   
  It ain’t the first time

c  3/00

It ain't the first time (s)

You had the baddest, meanest, fastest muscle car in town
When any new boy showed his face, The Judge would take em down
Waitin’ on the sidelines was clearly not your style
Slammin’ gears and suckin’ gas out on the quarter mile

An Orbit Orange beauty, on Ralley II's she stood
A Ram Air four power plant tucked underneath the hood
Pozie rear, spoiler wing with four speed on the floor
A Magnum Competition Cam, power brakes and more

You ran her mostly for the thrill, you said “the need for speed”
But we all know you racin’ boys are just a different breed
The passion, pride and power, the joy of standin’ tall
Never once believin’, someday you’re gonna fall

    You were happy when you were at one with your machine
    The muscle car they call The Judge could always take em clean
    You had to win no matter what, you must defend your name
    “The Judge” you said, “would never loose” and you they’d never tame

The Cuda came from nowhere that dark, hot August night
It’s stickers boasted “Hemi” above the marker lights
Pistol Grip and Shaker Scoop, the paint was Torid Red
The driver took one look at you and said “The Judge is dead”

A flag was dropped, the tires burned, we heard the thunder roar
The beasts were runnin’ neck and neck, we couldn’t guess the score
A runnin’ deer, the two cars swerved, the Devil had this ride
We heard the crash and saw the flames, the night the legend died

    You told your story in flames and glory

Pushin’ life up to the edge of madness everyday
Tryin’ just to prove yourself a man along the way
Livin’ fast and runnin’ hard a legend you became
Once you got behind the wheel you’d  never be the same

You were happy when you were at one with your machine
The muscle car they call The Judge could always take em clean
You had to win no matter what you must defend your name
“The Judge” you said “ would never loose” and you they’d never tame


c  6/98

The Judge  (s)

It’s ten to twelve, Friday night, belly to the bar
Eatin’ Dunkin Donuts, wondrin’ who you are

I won’t get no second chance if I don’t speak up soon
Cause one like you don’t come along but once in a blue moon

Every time I glance at you—you look my way
I get these big fat butterflies 
And what I’d like to say

   Is what’s the Deal
   Are you for real
   I’m afraid you’ll disappear by midnight

   You understand
   I’m just a man

   Ya got too much sex appeal
   And I can’t help how I feel
   Ya seem too good to be true
   Now what’s the deal

I stop to get my coffee and my donuts every night
Hopein’ that you’ll speak to me—stretchin’ every bite

You’re fascinatin’—to watch, you have so many ways
Of packin’ up those donuts--Jelly filled or Glazed

I wanna ask you for a date but I don’t think I can
You look at me, I’m paralyzed 
You’re messin’ up my plan
   
   So what’s the Deal
   Are you for real
   I’m afraid you’ll disappear by midnight

   You understand
   I’m just a man

   Ya got too much sex appeal
   And I can’t help how I feel
   Ya seem too good to be true
   Now what’s the deal
 
   I might get the nerve some day to look you in the eye
   And it don’t matter what you say, I will still reply
   
   So what’s the Deal
   Are you for real
   I’m afraid you’ll disappear by midnight

   You understand
   I’m just a man

   Ya got too much sex appeal
   And I can’t help how I feel
   Ya seem too good to be true
   Now what’s the deal
     
Yeah what’s the deal

Are you for real

Yeah what’s the deal                                                            


c  6/01

What's the deal (s)

---Don’t ya see-what yer-tellin me
------I already know
---I ain’t mad but then it’s---kinda sad 
And I think--it’s time for you to go

-Today’s a brand new day
And what’s done is done
So go and have yourself a ball 
---Cause I gotta run
   
   And I’ve got nothin to say, I won’t beg you to stay
   It’s somethin, I mighta done long ago
   But after all of these years I think you’ve, made it clear
   Yer tellin me----that you want me to know
   That somebody new has come into your life
   And that you can’t--walk away
   So you can turn off the tears now---cause I got nothin to say

Well did ya--really think—those touches and winks
Were things--that I’d never see
It’s been--kinda tough-and I’ve---had enough
And now I think--I’ll take some time for me

-Today’s a brand new day 
----And that was then
--So go and have yourself a ball 
Cause you won’t see me again 
  
   And I’ve got nothin to say, I won’t beg you to stay
   It’s somethin, I mighta done long ago
   But after all of these years,  I think you’ve made it clear
   Yer tellin me----that you want me to know
   That somebody new has come into your life
   And that you can’t--walk away
   So you can turn off the tears now---cause I got nothin to say
 
   If there’s one thing I regret
   I never will regain
   That piece of me--I gave to you
   I won’t say it again, cause
   
   I’ve got nothin to say, I won’t beg you to stay
   It’s something, I mighta done long ago
   But after all of these years I think you’ve, made it clear
   Yer tellin me----that you want me to know
   That somebody new has come into your life
   And that you can’t--walk away
   So you can turn off the tears now---cause I got nothin to say, and I won’t beg you to stay
   
   That’s something, I mighta done long ago
   But after all of these years I think you’ve, made it clear
   Yer tellin me----that you want me to know
   That somebody new has come into your life
   And that you can’t--walk away
   So you can turn off the tears now---cause I got nothin to say
                                                            
I got nothin to say                                             

I’ve got nothing to say


© 4/01  J. Michael Tracy   All Rights Reserved


Nothin' to say  (s)

Ten thousand doubts or so, ago, I saw you in my mind
A vision every dream I’ve known, but then I—ran out of time

I lived a life of sorrow, happiness just passed me by
With the dawn of each tomorrow, my chances slowly died

   My star in the distance, you are my shining light
   And even though you’re far away, I know I’ll be alright

   My life’s been yours forever, though it took me years to see
   You’re a star in the distance --- for me

You answered all my questions, you took me by the hand
You’re a light in utter darkness, My guide—through uncharted land

You know I’ll always love you, my dream come true and more
And tonight I thank my lucky star, for bringing this –lost ship to shore
   
   My star in the distance, you are my shining light
   And even though you’re far away, I know I’ll be alright

   My life’s been yours forever, though it took me years to see
   You’re a star in the distance --- for me

     I had no reason left to live
     My strength was all but gone
     But knew if you could find me
     That I could carry on
   
   Oh my star in the distance, you are my shining light
   And even though you’re far away, I know I’ll be alright

   My life’s been yours forever, though it took me years to see
   You’re a star in the distance --- for me
   
   My life’s been yours forever, though it took me years to see
   You’re a star in the distance---for me

   You’re a star in the distance for me


©   12/99   J. Michael Tracy & Brandyn Sand   All Rights Reserved

My star in the distance (s)

I’m tired of being indebted, 
Guilty feelin’s, I’ve done regretted
Serious commitments ruled the day
Never learnin’ how to live, never learnin’ how to play

I look back at how I’ve been livin’, 
Always takin’ and never givin’
Everything was overdone, straight and narrow’s only one
Lookin’ to the end as the beginnin’

   I have gone the way of the world
   Hoppin’ bars and honky tonks, havin’ fun with wicked girls
   Don’t track me down to pick me up, you don’t need to be concerned
   Cause I have gone the way of the world

You don’t need to worry if you see me, 
Headin’ for the night life in the city
Cause it’s  omething’ I just gotta do
I’ve come to think that life’s a trip and baby I’m just passin’ through cause

   I have gone the way of the world
   Hoppin’ bars and honky tonks, havin’ fun with wicked girls
   Don’t track me down to pick me up, you don’t need to be concerned
   Cause I have gone the way of the world
 (bridge)
   When we all think that we can see there comes a big surprise
    And baby I’ve just opened up my eyes
(chorus)
   I have gone the way of the world
   Hoppin’ bars and honky tonks, havin’ fun with wicked girls
   Don’t track me down to pick me up, you don’t need to be concerned
   Cause I have gone the way of the world

   Don’t track me down to pick me up, you don’t need to be concerned
   Cause I have gone the way of the world

   Cause I have gone the way of the world


©  9/99   J. Michael Tracy   All Rights Reserved


The way of the world (s)

(verse)
Lonely places I have been
Thought I’d found you, again and again
Always ended up alone
But then you took my hand
And said “I’ve always known you”
(chorus)
   Think I’ll stay right here with you
   These days of wanderin’ are through—yeah 
   I need you every night, and every day
   In everything I do
   Think I’ll stay right here
(verse)
In my far from perfect world
Tried to find the perfect girl—yeah
You know I looked but did not see
You were always there
Right in front of me—so
 (chorus) 
   Think I’ll stay right here with you
   These days of wanderin’ are through—yeah 
   I need you every night, and every day
   In everything I do
   Think I’ll stay right here
(bridge)
    I just hope you can forgive me
    But I’ve been blind you see
    And if you’ll stay with me—I
(chorus)
   Think I’ll stay right here with you
   These days of wanderin’ are through—yeah 
   I need you every night, and every day
   In everything I do
   Think I’ll stay right here
 (chorus)
   Think I’ll stay right here with you
   These days of wanderin’ are through—yeah 
   I need you every night, and every day
   In everything I do
   Think I’ll stay right here
    

©  4/00   J. Michael Tracy   All Rights Reserved                                                              


Think I'll stay right here (s)

(verse)
School days, purple Stingray, banana seat bike
I’d ride, by your house cause you’re the girl I liked
Sometimes, I’d catch you walkin’ and slow way down
At 15, our whole world was our little town now
(half chorus)
  Way back when, we were children
  Way back when, and it was so cool
  Way back when, there was nothin’
  We couldn’t do and so we
(verse)
Tied up, a big ol’ rope in the oak tree
Took turns, playin’ Tarzan, you and me
Don’t know, how we kept from breakin’ our necks
So young, so fun, so what the heck, now
(chorus)
  Way back when, we were children
  Way back when, and it was so cool
  Way back when, there was nothin’
  We couldn’t do and

  Way back when, we had good times
  Way back when, and innocence ruled
  Way back when, we had each other
  And we still do, now Baby
(bridge)
   This, is, the, future and, what’s now was then
   See how these good things, can, all come round again yeah
(verse)
Road Kings, Chevy Stingray, an S.U.V.
Looks like we made it Baby, you and me
Sometimes we’ll take a break and slow way down
Cause these days, our whole world, is our little town yeah
(chorus)
  Way back when, we were children
  Way back when, and it was so cool
  Way back when, there was nothin’
  We couldn’t do and

  Way back when, we had good times
  Way back when, and innocence ruled
  Way back when, we had each other
  And we still do, now Baby
(bridge)
   This, is, the, future and, what’s now was then
   See how these good things, can, all come round again yeah

(tag) 
From way back when
         
Way back when



©   7/05  J. Michael Tracy   All Rights Reserved


Way Back When (s)

(verse 2)
I’m fast asleep—and dreamin’ deep— tucked away in bed
Secure that I am over you—and you walk through my head

You feel so near—I love ya dear but then I wake and it’s not real
I’m payin’ the price for letting you go—cause dreams are easy to steal

(chorus)
   Get outa my dreams--------Get outa my heart
   Just throw me a rope—and give me some hope—before it goes to far

   Yer takin’ my time----------And it’s tearin’ me apart
   I think it’s a sign I might be losin’ my mind—
   when you won’t get outa my heart

(verse 2)
Late at night I call your name but then I wake and you’re not there
My thoughts of you just seem to linger—softly---in the air

I call your phone—but you’re not home-and so you’d think that I would see
That bein’ in love—with someone like you—is nothin’ but a fantasy
 
 (chorus) 
  Get outa my dreams--------Get outa my heart
   Just throw me a rope—and give me some hope—before it goes to far

   Yer takin’ my time----------And it’s tearin’ me apart
   It seems like a sign I might be losin’ my mind—
   when you won’t get outa my heart

(verse 4)
It’s so unfair—that you’re only there until the time—that I awake
But you’ll never see-what you’re doin’ to me—and it’s so hard to take

But you’ve gotta go—and I wanna know-why you’re still behind my eyes
It doesn’t make sense because I’ve put up a fence—for keepin’ out your dream-time lies
  
(chorus)
   Get outa my dreams--------Get outa my heart
   Just throw me a rope—and give me some hope—before it goes to far

   Yer takin’ my time----------And it’s tearin’ me apart
   It must be a sign I might be losin’ my mind—
   when you won’t get outa my heart

 (outro)
   I know it’s a sign that I am losin’ my mind
   Cause you won’t get outa my heart
                                                                                                           

                   
    ©  6/98   J. Michael Tracy   All Rights 


Get outa my heart (s)

(verse 1)
Across this land of Dixie, for whom our fathers died
They’re marching in their ignorance to kill our southern pride

They’ve never even taken time to try and understand
The meanin’ of this Battle Flag to the southern man
(verse 2)
To them the truth means nothing though it’s been clear to see
The flag our fathers died for, was not for slavery

The taxes and the tariffs and making their own laws
The rape of our economy became the final straw
(chorus)
    The Papers and the TV portray the southern man
    A racist and a bigot anytime they can

    They try to change our history but we ain’t gonna bend
    This Battle Flag’s forever and The South will rise again
    Again
(verse 3)
When our country needs us to help them save the world
No one holds a candle to a Southern Boy or Girl

Don’t try to change our heritage cause one can never tell
Just when you’re claimin’ victory you’re gonna  hear--- the Rebel Yell
(chorus)  
   The Papers and the TV portray the southern man
    A racist and a bigot anytime they can

    They try to change our history but we ain’t gonna bend
    This Battle Flag’s forever and The South will rise again
(outro)    
 Don’t try and change our history cause we will never bend
This Battle Flag’s forever and The South will rise again

Again
                                                               
 ©   4/00   J. Michael Tracy   All Rights Reserved                                                                        


The South'll Rise Again (s)

(verse 1)
In the mountains of Carolina, you will find me----in a stream
Salted minnows, fishin’ Brookies, livin’ this old----redneck’s dream

When I left that damned old city, didn’t have a----second thought
I believe I’m very lucky to have found what----can’t be bought

(chorus)
   From the Rainbows of Watauga
   To the Browns of Big Horse Creek
   In the Mountains of Carolina
   I will find there, what I seek

(verse 2)
Never look back, never wonder what I’m missin’----from that place
I don’t care bout, what’s on TV, got no cell phone----in my face

Livin’ simple, is the good life, I don’t mind if----I’m alone
Cause I’m findin’, what I need here, Carolina----mountain home.

(chorus)
   From the Rainbows of Watauga
   To the Browns of Big Horse Creek
   In the Mountains of Carolina
   I will find there, what I seek


(verse 3)
If you find me, in the country, don’t be askin’----me to go
To the good life, in the city, cause I’ve been there----and I know


That the Mountains, of Carolina are the place where----I should be
Lord I live there, gonna die there, I belong there----and I’m free

(chorus)
   From the Rainbows----of Watauga
   To the Browns of---Big Horse Creek
   In the Mountains---of Carolina
   I will find there---what I seek
(outro)
   From the Rainbows---of Watauga
   To the big Browns--out in--Cherokee 
   I belong here---in the mountains
   Of Carolina—where I’m free
   In the mountains where I’m free---oh yeah


©  3/00   J. Michael Tracy   All Rights Reserved


In the mountains (of Carolina)  (s)

(verse 1)
--Crowded streets--and still alone I’m
-Not myself---this ain’t home been thinkin’ bout
--A country girl I know

--Lost my heart--and took for granted
-The simple life--the love we’d planted
---I shoulda’ stayed----to see it grow

(chorus)
   --Carolina mountain rain
   --Help me wash away the pain and
   ----Let me hold her---once again
   -A broken heart--heals in time—
   --So somehow---could you find your way to
   --Help me heal this pain
   -----Carolina mountain rain

(verse 2)    
--Now and then—I chance ta see her
-An’ I can’t bring--myself to greet her
----I don’t know what to say

--She’s found—another lover
-And now my heart’s discovered what I’ve lost
---Cause-I-just-let her-slip-away 

(chorus)
   --Carolina mountain rain
   --Help me wash away the pain and
   ----Let me hold her---once again
   -A broken heart--heals in time—
   --So somehow---could you find your way to
   --Help me heal this pain
   -----Carolina mountain rain

(bridge)
   -I know she thinks I-didn’t care
   ----But I still do----and it ain’t fair

(instrumental verse)

(chorus)
   --Carolina mountain rain
   --Help me wash away the pain and
   ----Let me hold her---once again
   -A broken heart--heals in time—
   --So somehow---could you find your way to
   --Help me heal this pain
   -----Carolina mountain rain

Ohhhhh yeah


 ©  6/00   J. Michael Tracy & Rick Lockwood  All Rights Reserved                                                  


Carolina Mountain Rain (s)1

(verse 1 female)
You come home smellin like you haven’t warshed in 20 years
A wiskey bottle in one hand, in your arm a case of beer                             
You stand there for a moment, and contemplate the door
You take one step and like a tree, fall face first to the floor

(chorus 1 male)
“Sombody Help Me!” 
Well I’m three sheets to the wind, just call my next of kin
Please take this bottle and knock me over the head
When she finds out the score, she’ll kill me that’s for shore                                   
Cause I’m through my friend, I’m three sheets to the wind            

(verse 2 female)
Well I’m tired of draggin you to bed and cleanin up the floor
I’m tired of waitin up all night so’s I can hear you snore
This ain’t how life’s supposed to be, your chips I’m cashin in                
You come home drinkin one more time and I’ma gonna do you in     

(bridge male)
“Now What Am I Gonna Do?” 
Somewhere one drink turned into twelve
I just don’t remember how
And as soon as she finds out by God                                                                     
She’s gonna have a cow!       

(chorus 2 male and female)
(male)
Cause I’m three sheets to the wind, just call my next of kin                                 
(female)
“Just call his next of kin”        
(male)
Please take this bottle and knock me over the head
(female)
“I’ll knock him over the head”
(male)
When she finds out the score, she’ll kill me that’s for shore
(female)
“I’ll kill him that’s for shore”
(male)
Cause I’m through my friend, I’m three sheets to the wind
(female)
“Cause he’s through my friend he’s three sheets to the wind”
(male)
When she finds out the score, she’ll kill me that’s for shore
(female)
“I’ll kill him that’s for shore” 
(male)
Cause I’m through my friend, I’m three sheets to the wind
(female)
“Cause he’s through my friend, he’s three sheets to the wind”
(male)
Cause I’m through my friend, I’m three sheets to the wind
(female)
“Cause he’s through my friend, he’s three sheets to the wind”     

  

©      8/98   J. Michael Tracy   All Rights Reserved                                                             


3 sheets to the wind  (s)

(verse 1)
They ask me what I see in you, it’s hard for me to say
Cause what you give and what I need, come out in different ways

When you opened up my door, I could see that there was more
And honey, that’s what I was looking for
(chorus)
But what you say and what you mean are completely different things
You don’t lie but when you do, what I say can always convince you
That I’ll come back and don’t know why
Guess I still believe, in you and I
(verse 2)
I sometimes think that it ain’t right, when you won’t be real
But when you put your hands in mine, you melt a heart made of steel

If I’d open up my eyes, I’d look around and realize
That all this time I’ve been asleep at the wheel
(bridge)
There’ll always be the chance that I will leave
A little detail you just can’t conceive

Now you think you’ve told me, all I need to know
So hold me darling and never let me go
(chorus)
But what you say and what you mean are completely different things
You don’t lie but when you do, what I say can always convince you
That I’ll come back but don’t know why
Guess I still believe, in you and I
(outro fade)
In you and I

Guess I still believe in you and I

In you and I

I still believe in you and I

I still believe

I still believe in you and I
I still believe



©    6/99   J. Michael Tracy    All Rights Reserved


I still believe (s)

(verse 1)
I was losin’ my mind, ya know it happens every time
I get blinded like a fool and people start usin’ me

Sliding out to the edge, feelin’ like I’m gonna fall off the ledge
Into a bottomless pit leadin’ down to eternity

When I get away, I’ll find a cabin by a stream and I’ll stay
Where the nearest neighbor is one or two ridges away

I tried to play the part, there’s no tellin’ what it’s done to my heart
Just get me back to the country and let me make a brand new start

(pre chorus)
I’ll find me a girl that is willing to see
That citified livin’ holds nothin’ for me
If I stay here I’ll be better off dead
I need to be back where I was born and bred
(chorus)
Mountains in springtime, under the grapevine
Cool taste of sweet wine, the air is clean and the rain is fallin’

Livin’ the good life, no city stress or strife
Fishin’ pole and a good wife, from now on this’ll be my callin’ yeah

(instrumental verse)

(verse 2)
I’ll have a view of the hills, you know I never get tired of the thrills
Of the strike of a trout or a coyote callin’

I’ll climb the mountain top, and when I’m there I don’t think that I’ll stop
Into the sky I will fly and I’m never commin’ down

 (pre chorus)
I’ll find me a girl that is willing to see
That citified livin’ holds nothin’ for me
If I stay here I’ll be better off dead
I need to be back where I was born and bred
(chorus)
Mountains in springtime, under the grapevine
Cool taste of sweet wine, the air is clean and the rain is fallin’

Livin’ the good life, no city stress or strife
Fishin’ pole and a good wife, from now on this’ll be my callin’ yeah

(pre chorus)
I’ll find me a girl that is willing to see
That citified livin’ holds nothin’ for me
If I stay here I’ll be better off dead
I need to be back where I was born and bred
(chorus)
Mountains in springtime, under the grapevine
Cool taste of sweet wine, the air is clean and the rain is fallin’

Livin’ the good life, no city stress or strife
Fishin’ pole and a good wife, from now on this’ll be my callin’ yeah

Ohhhhh ohhhh ohhhhhhh
Ohhhhh ohhhh ohhhhhhh
Ohhhhh ohhhh ohhhhhhh



©   3/98   J. Michael Tracy   All Rights Reserved


Mountains in springtime   (s)

(verse 1)
Well I was rarin’ to go in twenty, twenty three
My daddy said boy don’t ya grow up and be like me, yeah
Just bein’ alive ain’t enough you see, waitin’ for your ship to come in
You gotta make it yourself or you ain’t never, gonna win
 
So don’t you ever give up, no matter how mean people can be
Don’t give up all of your life for people wantin’ everything for free, yeah
You wanna take what you need, give when you can, grow strong like a redwood tree
Make a name for yourself and make me proud as I can be

(chorus)
Go get yourself a pretty little mountain girl
Give her all you got and she’ll rock your world
And take it to the limit, life is too short ya see, yeah

Ya gotta live in the future and forget the past
Get yourself some dreams that are built to last
So put your heads together and don’t you ever give in, yeah
Get ready to rock and roll, let the show begin

(instrumental verse)

(chorus 2)
Just get yourself a pretty little mountain girl
Give her all you got and she’ll rock your world
Take it to the limit, life is too short ya see, yeah

Ya gotta live in the future and forget the past
Get yourself some dreams that are built to last
So put your heads together and don’t you ever give in, yeah
Get ready to rock and roll, let the show begin
(verse 2)
Well it’s been 15 years since I told him I’d make him proud
And I can see it in his eyes when I’m singin’ up in front of the crowd, yeah

Cause I’m proud of my woman, try to be a man
Proud to Country Rock because I can
So put your hands together and don’t you ever give in, yeah
Get ready to rock and roll, let the show begin

Are you ready to rock and roll, let the show begin

We’re ready to rock and roll, let the show begin

(instrumental outro)



©   4/98  J. Michael Tracy   All Rights Reserved


Let the show begin (s)

(verse)
I don’t know just where I’ve been
But somethin strange is---happenin’
Seems to me like Country’s--disappeared 
--We thought it was here to stay
--But somehow it just slipped away
I do believe that it’s been gone for years

(chorus)
   Been searchin these radio stations too long
   And can’t find one real-- Country song

    Don’t know what it is but it sure ain’t Country
    It’s too dang pop or it’s way too funky
    --Country songs ain’t what they used to be

    If old Hank could just see Nashville now
    ------He’d give em hell I guarantee 

    Don’t know what that is-but it sure ain’t Country to me

(verse 2)
Well we let em die—and it’s a sin
But good ol days’ll be----back again
With songs that we all love it ain’t no lie
And we’ll all feel like kids you know
When we’re listenen to the--- radio
Them songs that made us dance and made us cry

(chorus)
   Been searchin these radio stations too long
   And can’t find one real-- Country song

    Don’t know what it is but it sure ain’t Country
    It’s too dang pop or it’s way too funky
    --Country songs ain’t what they used to be

    If old Hank could just see Nashville now
    ------He’d give em hell I guarantee 

    Don’t know what that is-but it sure ain’t Country to me

(bridge)
   Those songs that we were raised on--are songs they--gotta play
   Please let me hear “Your Cheatin Heart” or take me down that old “Lost Highway” 

(instrumental.verse)
 
(chorus)
   Been searchin these radio stations too long
   And can’t find one real-- Country song

    Don’t know what it is but it sure ain’t Country
    It’s too dang pop or it’s way too funky
    --Country songs ain’t what they used to be,   yeah

    If old Hank could just see Nashville now
    ------He’d give em hell I guarantee 

    Don’t know what that is-but it sure ain’t Country to me


(outro)
   Don’t know what that is but it sure ain’t Country to me

                                                          

©  6/00   J. Michael Tracy & Rick Lockwood   All Rights Reserved


It sure aint Country to me   (s)1

(verse 1)
Spied you in the record store checkin’ out CD’s
I was thumbin’ through the R’s and you were in the T’s
My heart was doin’ flip flops, and when we got in line
I decided then and there to make you mine
(chorus)
   So get ready
   Baby get ready
   Girl I’ve made my mind up and honey you’re the one

   So get ready
   Baby get ready
   This ain’t no game of hide and seek
   So watch out girl cause I’m gonna peek
   Ready or not now Baby here I come

(verse 2)
All my life I never thought that I would see the day
When I would meet that someone-who’d steal my heart away
And though I haven’t met you yet I bet that when I do
If mine is yours then yours will be mine too

(chorus)
   So get ready
   Baby get ready
   Girl I’ve made my mind up and honey you’re the one

   So get ready
   Baby get ready
   This ain’t no game of hide and seek
   So watch out girl cause I’m gonna peek
   Ready or not now Baby here I come

(bridge)
   You know, I know, that I don’t know
   Exactly what you’ll say
   But I have my suspicions
   And when give yourself away I’m ready

(instrumental verse)

(chorus)
   So get ready
   Baby get ready
   Girl I’ve made my mind up and honey you’re the one

   So get ready
   Baby get ready
   This ain’t no game of hide and seek
   So watch out girl cause I’m gonna peek
   Ready or not now Baby here I come

   So get ready
   Baby get ready
   This ain’t no game of hide and seek
   So watch out girl cause I’m gonna peek
   Ready or not now Baby here I come

(outro)
   Ready or not now Baby here I come

                                                

©   7/04   J. Michael Tracy     All Rights Reserved


Get Ready   (s)2

Imperfect, perfect harmony
By J. Michael Tracy  male/female vocal ballad

(verse)
Is this the end, or the beginning
Will we rise, or do we fall
Have we lost, or are we winning
They’re the questions we must ask
Do we give it up or give it all
(verse)
The human heart, just yearns to have
 A peaceful life, and to smile
When they don’t know, how to make it happen
We can teach them how to love
And the good life will come back in style
(chorus)
  It’s just who we are
  Riding high, on a fantasy
  Wish upon a star
  When we all can sing as one
  In imperfect, perfect harmony
 (verse)
So don’t give up, on Humanity
They’re going to be, what they’ll be
It might be hard, on our sanity
But it’s what we do for love
When we show the way so they can see
  (chorus)
  It’s just who we are
  Riding high, on a fantasy
  Wish upon a star
  When we all can sing as one
  In imperfect, perfect harmony
  (bridge)
  What comes, what may
  And I believe, we’ll find a way to
  Say what we must say and do
  Cause the world is starved for love
  And the healing starts with me and you
  (end verse)
We won’t give up, on Humanity
They’re going to be, what they will be
Sometimes it’s hard, on our sanity
But it’s what we do for love
When we show the way and then they see



All rights reserved
c 11-2025


Imperfect perfect harmony s em

                       TILL I FOUND YOU
          J. MICHAEL TRACY  MALE/FEMALE/VOCAL UPTEMPO
(verse)
Ya know the reason why---------I feel like I do
Been hurt so many times---------I dream in black and blue
(chorus)
   I’d spend my nights in pain------but ya helped me make it through
   Feels like I’m born again------cause all my dreams were bad
   Till I found you
   Till I found you
(verse)
Sometimes I’d try to fly------but I’d crash and burn
But ya showed me why--------and somehow I’d learn
(chorus)
   When I’d feel old-------ya’d made me feel like new
   Feels like I’m born again-------cause all my dreams were bad
   Till I found you
   Till I found you
(bridge)
I could not pretend------and the night was not my friend
It seemed like the end for meeeeeee------till I found you
   Till I found you
   Till I found you
   Till I found you
(chorus)
Those nights I’d be in pain-------ya helped me make it through
Ya made me feel I’m born again-----cause all my dreams were bad
   Till I found you
   Till I found you
   Till I found you
(verse)
I just can’t explain---------what I feel inside me
I call your name----and suddenly---you’re beside me
(chorus)
   My life was so insane-----and if it weren’t for you
   I might lose this game-----cause all my dreams were bad
   Till I found you
   Till I found you
   Till I found you
   Till I found you
   Till I found you
   Till I found you

   ©  9/05  J. Michael Tracy  All Rights Reserved                                       


Till I found you   (s)

Darin' to run, takin' em all
Livin' fast, havin' a ball......yeah

Me and the Judge

Through your darkest days, and lonely nights, I'll be there.....In a heartbeat.

In a heartbeat

And he don't loveya, so Don't go to Mexico.

Dont go to Mexico

SHE’S IN TEXAS NOW                                                        
                      J. Michael Tracy                        female vocal/up tempo                              
Another night of drinkin
Said now, he weren’t think’n
And didn’t see why he should call

Ain’t no more room for leeway
That night she hit the freeway
She ain’t lookin back at all------ever again
(chorus 1)
   She’s headed back to Austin
   Two days out of Boston
   She crossed that border—doin 95

   He tried to make her stay
   She said there ain’t no way she’s take’n it
   Anymore, anyhow, she’s in Texas now

Tonight he called her cry’n
Said, he felt like die’n
And asked her if, she’d ever loved him at all

She said “ Now I’ve been thinkin
And I ain’t been drinkin
There ain’t no need for you to call, ever again!!”
(chorus)
   She’s headed back to Austin
   Two days out of Boston
   She crossed that border, doin’ 95
   
   He tried to make her stay
   She said there ain’t no way she’s takin’ it
   Anymore, anyhow, she’s in Texas now
   She’s back in Texas
(chorus 1)
(tag)
   She’s back in Texas now
   She’s back in Texas now
   In Texas now                                                               

c 2004

She's in Texas now

My name is John Michael Tracy I write songs, jmtsongs.com , love photography, hunting, fishing and all of the outdoors. I was born on Jan. 11, 1957 in Elmira, NY.  I’m the oldest of six children, and my family lived, for most of my youth, in Athens, PA., which is right across the border from Upstate New York.   
	My parents had me take piano lessons when I was a kid, and when I was a teenager, I taught myself to play guitar.  Some friends and I had a country band, and we played local spots for a while.
	In my early twenties, I bought a 4-track recorder and enjoyed playing and recording songs that I liked from the Eagles, Jim Croce, Lobo, David Gates and Bread, Dan Fogelberg, etc.  I sent the recordings to my Grandfather, who had a band when he was young and performed all over upstate Pennsylvania and New York.  One day he asked me why I didn’t write my own songs.  The thought had never occurred to me, but once I’d considered it, it sounded like a great idea, and I told him that I bet I could do it.  
	After the first hundred songs or so, I called a few record companies to let them know that there was a new talent ready to take over the songwriting world, and they suggested I join NSAI first to help me hone my craft.  So I did.  In the mean time, I was sending quite a few of my songs to Washington to be copyrighted.
	A Publisher/Writer named Donn Hecht (most famous for co-writing Patsy Cline’s “Walkin’ After Midnight”) had someone working for him in Washington that noticed the number of songs I was copywriting.  Donn contacted me and asked me to send him some material. I did. He became my publisher, mentor and friend until his death in October 2002. He taught me more about songwriting and the business than anyone I’ve ever met.
	In the Spring of 2000, I wrote a song called “The South’ll Rise Again” and sent it to the nationally syndicated “The John Boy and Billy Big Show” as a gift, never imagining they’d ever do anything with it.  They were impressed enough to play it on the air, and it has been on their “Best Of” shows ever since.
	After the terrorist attacks of 9/11, I wrote a song called “Give’m Hell U.S.A.”  and  sent it to President George Bush and some of his staff.  Both President Bush and his Chief of Staff, Andrew Card, responded with really nice thank you notes. 
	I’m also a member of the local and National GTO clubs, own a 1970 Judge, and have written several “hot rod” songs that get regular play at many car shows and cruise-ins.
           My wife Kathy and I lived and worked in Nashville for a year and met many wonderful artists and songwriters who inspired and encouraged me.
	As the successful songwriter, friend and mentor, Jerry Vandiver says, “We write, because we have to”. The music needs to come out so we do what we love, and let it flow.

J. Michael Tracy

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