Hands at two and ten I tightly grip the steering wheel
Holdin' an old friend and still remembrin' how it feels 
Freedom of the road, sixteen years old
Just like that, I go back

	Cause it’s a part of me, it’s the heart of me
	Shadows in my rear view
	Mem’ries in the mirror are closer than they appear

Every time I swear I hear that old George Strait tune
I’m back in her arms singing along to “Baby Blue”
Learnin’ by mistakes, backroads, driveways
Just like that, I go back

	Cause it’s a part of me, it’s the heart of me
	Shadows in my rear view
	Mem’ries in the mirror are closer than they appear

	First kiss - fresh starts - lost friends - broke hearts

	It’s a part of me, it’s the heart of me
	Shadows in my rear view
	Mem’ries in the mirror are closer - so much closer - than they appear

Closer Than They Appear

Better Not Be Too Real 
 
Words and Music by Don Billow

 
Yeah I’m trying to see through your disguise
I know you're in there but you’re hard to recognize
Maybe I’m afraid to be part of you and all of me
Maybe it's just too much to expect 
Or is it really lack of faith that has me wrecked
 
You better not be too real
Your safer as a fantasy that I can conceal
But Ok let’s play
Take me where you want today
But you better not 
Better not be too real
 
I keep on looking for the magic that puts us right
You lay it out there then you say I need to fight
Lay it out for me lay it out 
Promise me you’ll let me in only when I tell you when
Don't touch too much leave my doubt alone 
You’re playing games inside my soul too close to home


You better not be too real
Your safer as a fantasy that I can conceal
But Ok let’s play
Take me where you want today
But you better not 
Better not be too real

Better not be my inspiration 
Better not see my flesh and blood
Better not ask me to show you
What we might be 
I wish I could be what you need

Shoulda known better than to let you in
Shoulda known better than to check me out
Shoulda known better
Shoulda known better
 
Shoulda known better than to let you in
Shoulda known better than to check me out
Shoulda known better
Shoulda known better


Better not be too real
Better not be 
Better not be too real
Better not be

Better not be too real
Stand up speak for yourself
Better not be
Get up and stand your ground

Better not be too real
Stand up speak for yourself
Better not be
Get up and stand your ground

Better Not Be Too Real

EASY FOR YOU TO SAY
by Justin Love, Hal ODell, Greg Wilson

V1-
“IT’S OVER” ROLLS RIGHT OFF YOUR TONGUE
AS CASUAL AS ANYONE SAYING
HELLO, GOOD MORNING A STORM WITHOUT A WARNING
YOU MUST HAVE PRACTICED EVERY LINE
YOU SAID THOSE WORDS IN RECORD TIME
AND LIKE THAT NOW YOU’RE LEAVING
I WONDER DO YOU BELIEVE IT

PRE-
YOU TELL ME I’LL BE FINE

CH-
IT’S EASY FOR YOU TO SAY
WHEN I’M THE ONE LEFT PICKING UP THE PIECES OF THE LIFE YOU THREW AWAY
I’M THE ONE WATCHING ALL THE COLORS OF MY WORLD JUST FADE TO GRAY
TRYING TO FIND THE WORDS THAT MAKE YOU WANT TO STAY
IT’S SO CRAZY HOW GOODBYE IS SO EASY FOR YOU TO SAY

V2-
WATCHING YOU LEAVE IS OH SO HARD
WITH HEFTY BAGS FILLING UP YOUR CAR
I’M FROZEN SPEECHLESS
BUT MY HEART IS SCREAMING

PRE-
WE BOTH KNOW IT’S A LIE
WHEN YOU TELL ME I’LL BE FINE

CH-

	LAST CH-
IT’S EASY FOR YOU TO SAY
WHEN I’M THE ONE LEFT STANDING HERE WATCHING YOUR TAIL LIGHTS FADE AWAY
DAMN THESE TEARS JUST WON’T STOP RUNNING DOWN MY FACE
‘CAUSE I KNOW THERE AIN’T NO WORDS TO MAKE YOU STAY
IT’S SO CRAZY HOW GOODBYE
OH YOU KNOW IT’S SO CRAZY HOW GOODBYE IS SO EASY FOR YOU TO SAY

contact Hal ODell, (615)720-7799; halinthemountains@gmail.com

Easy For You To Say

Easy For You To Say (work tape)

Is there anyone listnin’ who hadn't thought about quittin’        
And runnin’ away        
Is there anyone here who hadn’t feared 
What’s comin’ next day   
Is there anyone who hadn’t felt like a fool
And asked yourself what am I gonna do
                                        
	You gotta reach way down
	Ride those feelin’s out
	For your family, faith and freedom
	You work hard to hold onto
	Do what you gotta do

A single mom in the city or a farm in Mississippi
Some roads run uphill
You make your own breaks and your own mistakes
Doin’ what you feel
After more than a few walls ran into
You tell yourself to hell with the rules
                                          
	You gotta reach way down
	Ride those feelin’s out
	For your family, faith and freedom
	You work hard to hold onto
	Do what you gotta do

	Dead tired you wanna stop, don’t wanna go another round
	But without a second thought, you drop that plow back in the ground

	You gotta reach way down
	Ride those feelin’s out
	For your family, faith and freedom
	You work hard to hold onto
	For your family, faith and freedom
	Make no excuse
	Do what you gotta do
	Do what you gotta do

Do What You Gotta Do

If I do anything 
Writers: Carey Latham

If I do anything
It’ll be something here at the house
Pour me a whiskey, grill me a steak
Hang out, crank the game up loud
If I do anything
If I do anything

My phone’ll be on the counter
I’ll be starin’ down at it
Prayin she calls, prayin she ain’t gone for good
I should move on, yea I should
But I can’t live without ‘er
Damn I can’t even think 
It’ll be another drink
If I do anything 

If I do anything
She’ll probably read it all wrong
Say I got no heart, Never gave a dang
Does she know I’m barely hangin on
If I do anything

Repeat CH

Bridge
Even if I give it a rest,  try to go to bed

My phone’ll be right beside me
Until the sun rises
Prayin she calls, prayin she ain’t gone for good
I should move on, yea I should
But I can’t live without ‘er
Damn I can’t even sleep 
So, It’ll be another drink
It’ll be another drink
If I do anything

IF I DO ANYTHING

© 2023 Dan Warren

VERSE 1
It all began with good intentions
Didn't think it would go this far
We were filled with apprehension
But there's was no changing the way things are

VERSE 2
Nights spent listening to the music
Of the bands playing in the park
We just listened, and we were reminiscin'
To the notes, that we heard in the dark

CHORUS 1
I'm going off the Deep End
How I got there it's a journey's end
Didn't know what else to do, I spent my time loving you
And now I find myself
On the Deep End
Deep End of loving you

BRIDGE
In the cloudy night, we danced and drank champagne
Lost in the melody and it began to rain
But now the music's gone and we were all alone 
We're both out on this deep end, in a world of our own

CHORUS 2 (X2)
Going off the Deep End
You really are my best friend
Didn't know what else to do, spent my time loving you
And here we are on the Deep End
The Deep End
And now I know it's the journey's end
Don't know what else to do, so I'll keep on loving you
But right now, I'm staying on the Deep End

Of loving you
Of loving you
Of loving you

Deep End Dan Worktape Vocals Re-mixed and harmonized

Lyrics & song written for a specific challenge - I'm fairly sure be changing the lyrics down the line, although I like the title

Falling Short of Perfect

VERSE 1
You know I don’t deserve your love 
You know my demons inside out
You know I’m no angel 
But you put your faith in me

VERSE 2
I’m sorry that I let you down
I’m sorry that it all went South
I know I’m no angel
And I know it’s all on me 

PRE
Yeah I’m begging you now
You’ve got me on my knees
Yeah the truth is plain to see …

CHORUS
I know life ain’t been a bed of roses 
Got some things we’re working through  
(But) even when I’m fallin’ short of perfect
I’m a better man when I’m with you
  
VERSE 2 
So will you give me one more chance
Some way to prove that I can change 
I’m prayin that one last time
You’ll put your faith in me

PRE
Yeah I’m begging you now
You’ve got me on my knees
And the truth is plain to see …

CHORUS
I know life ain’t been a bed of roses 
Got some things we’re working through  
(But) even when I’m fallin’ short of perfect
I’m a better man when I’m with you

I don’t care what anybody else says 
This is something I can do
Anything you want from me is worth it
If it means that I can be with you

Falling Short of Perfect - (ANAPHORA CHALLENGE - TSA)

BIRDSONG FROM THE APPLE TREE

She said remember all those simple times
when it was just you and me.
We’d walk and talk and laugh for hours
Under that apple tree.
And I looked at her with sad, sad eyes
I said I know just what you mean
Those memories are beautiful
They mean everything to me.

She said when did life get so complicated
Why did it all fuck up.
I miss you, I wish you were still alive.
And I said please don’t cry

When the stars are bright
When the wrongs go right
When the sun shines down
and it warms your face
That’s me. I’m right by your side.

When you close your eyes
When the storm subsides
And the birdsong comes from that apple tree
that’s me, that’s me.

I put my arm around her,
Said I need you to be brave
I’ve heard the things you’ve said
As you’ve laid flowers on my grave.
I’m always watching over you.
I hate to see you grieve.
My time with you was beautiful
You mean everything to me.

She said when did life get so complicated
Why did it all fuck up.
I miss you, I wish you were still alive.
And I said please don’t cry.

When the stars are bright
When the wrongs go right
When the sun shines down
and it warms your face
That’s me. I’m right by your side.

When you close your eyes
When the storm subsides
And the birdsong comes from that apple tree
that’s me, that’s me.
(When the birdsong comes from that apple tree
that’s me).

Birdsong from the Apple Tree V1 Demo (TSA 'Simple' challenge)

New mix and instruments 
© 2023 Dan Warren
V1
It all began, with good intentions 
Didn't  think  it would go this far
We were filled with apprehension
There's no changing the way things are
V2
Nights  spent listening to the music
Of the bands playing in the park
We just listened  and  we were reminiscin 
To the notes that we heard in the dark
CH
I'm going  off the deep end 
How i got there its a journeys end
Didn't  know what else to do 
I spent my time loving you 
And now I find my self 
On the deep end 
Deep end of loving  you 
BR
in the cloudy  night we danced and drank champagne 
Lost in the melody and it began to rain 
Now the music’s gone and we are all alone 
We're both out on the deep end in a world  of our own  
CH
Going  off the deep  end 
You really  are my  best friend 
I knew not what to do 
So I spent my time loving  you  
Here we are on the deep  end  
The deep  end 
Now i know it's the journey's end
I now know what to do 
I'll keep on loving  you 
And right now I'm staying on the deep end
Of loving you, of loving you, of loving  you

Deep End New Mix March 2024

30 second preview of our upcoming single release, titled "Crystal Kinda Girl (feat. Daniel Sitch)", which is coming out January 10th, 2025.  The very talented English singer/songwriter Daniel Sitch, aka Cregalodon, is a featured vocalist on the song (Daniel has released two awesome singles of his own recently, they are titled "Tainted" and "Bluebird".  Check 'em out on streaming platforms and on youtube!)

Lyrics: Ira Denis and Cameron DeVries
Music: Cameron DeVries
Lead vocal: Cameron DeVries
Featured vocal: Daniel Sitch
All instrumentals: Nir Tsfaty
String Arrangement: Nir Tsfaty
Engineering, Production, and Mixing: Nir Tsfaty
Mastering: Dan Dubois

Crystal Kinda Girl (feat. Daniel Sitch) Preview #1

They’ve shared a life he can’t remember
They’ve shared a life she can’t forget
She’s the stranger in the mirror
Who combs his hair and helps him dress

They started young raisin’ a family
Seldom took time for themselves
Had a closeness most can only dream
Through rich or poor, sickness and health

Before his memory of their history
Was shattered like a mirror into pieces of their past
Like broken glass

He used to joke “I don’t remember squat”
She’d just say “You work too hard”
Now lost among his scattered thoughts
He still holds her in his arms

Before his memory of their history
Was shattered like a mirror into pieces of their past
Like broken glass
       
He’ll always be - the husband that she loves
She’ll always see - the father that he was

Before his memory of their history
Was shattered like a mirror into pieces of their past
Like broken glass

Deep End New Mix March 2024

Dan's Demos - Listen with 🎧

Related tracks