Songs from ACCELERATION (2023)

Steep Grade

People tell us, “you’re on a roll”

We found each other, two halves made whole                

Our engines revving and heating fast

Acceleration, enough to pass            

Look out darlin’, there’s a steep grade ahead

The yellow flag, the flashing light

Warning signs are in plain sight                      

Was it the whisky, was it the pills?                                               

We’re losing traction, sliding down the hills          

Look out darlin’, there’s a steep grade ahead

How much longer can this trip go on?

Help me, baby, to understand what’s wrong          

(Baby, can you tell me what’s wrong?)

We lost the brakes three miles ago

Forcing us to take it slow                                                                        

Maybe that’s just what we need                                                                       

Give up the fight, give up the speed                                                            

Look out darlin’, there’s a steep grade ahead                                                                

Look out darlin’, there’s a steep grade ahead

Goodbye April Eyes

Gas tank is empty, guess I’ll have to fill it

I want to shoot the breeze but I don’t want to kill it                        

I’d love to have this conversation but I’m running out of time            

I only have a few more hours, unless you change my mind                      

Gonna miss these budding trees though the pollen makes me sneeze             

So if you see my tears, you’ll know why

The house is hollow; I’ve got no more to pack

I’m taking everything, ‘cause I’m not coming back                  

A sudden offer from the West Coast; the job came just in time                                          

I only have a few more minutes, please tell me you’ll be fine                     

Gonna miss these budding trees when it’s 96 degrees                                                      

California’s calling me, goodbye April eyes, goodbye April eyes

By September, leaves are colorful here    

And come November, the frost should appear                  

When will I see you? Well, maybe next year

Tomorrow morning, I’ll be miles away

Is this forever, well, who can say?                                                                               

Thinking ‘bout our conversation, I analyze each word                                                       

Breaking hearts to make a living sounds so absurd                    

Gonna miss these budding trees, and their shade on my knees

This might be the end so kiss me, and goodbye April eyes, goodbye April eyes

Another Yesterday 

A sink full of dishes, leftovers in the fridge

Alarm clock starting my day

The scent of you lingers in the air                                                                 

Long after you’ve gone away            

I should get up now, wash out those coffee cups

Guess I’ll find something to do        

You hit the road before I could say                  

All I want is another yesterday                                                        

You made no promises about your return        

You didn’t say that you’d call

Should I sit tight, should I hold on to hope?

Any hope at all?

I’ll try to stay busy with phone calls and shopping for shoes

Welcomed distractions from the void                  

You’d never guess the price I’d pay       

Just to have another yesterday

A silver moon rising, dishes are washed and dried

I put on our favorite song                                                                      

And when it’s over, I’ll hit replay                                                           

All I want is another yesterday                                                               

All I want is another yesterday

City Pretty

You’re a simple country boy as sweet as corn with overalls 

And mud on your shoes (mud on your shoes)

I’m sophisticated, worldly lady, metropolitan

With skyscraper heels (skyscraper heels)                  

Finally caught your attention   

And you agreed to go out with me

Did I forget to mention?                                                       

I can be so city pretty for you, I can be so city pretty for you

And if you treat me nice I’ll show you ‘round the town                

Took a little while but I convinced you, now your riding                                      

In my big shiny car (big shiny car)                                                    

Neon signs, pedestrians, and no one stops; we’re caffeinated                                          

Up all night long (up all night long)                                     

You look a little uncertain  

It ain’t like Mayberry here

Are you turned off by my flirtin’?                                                            

I can be so city pretty for you, I can be so city pretty for you

And if you treat me nice I’ll show you ‘round the town

You say you miss moonless nights

Where every star lights up the sky like fire                                                             

Here I haven’t seen a star in years                                              

Or smelled the scent of fresh cut clover  

Wait a minute, where’re you going? Thought we’d have martinis

In the all-night cafe (all-night cafe)

What’s that? You don’t drink? OK, that’s cool, but do you really  

Have to hurry on home (hurry on home)                  

Over before it got goin’        

Me and my sweet country boy

Back to the wind, he’ll be blowin’                                                      

Guess I was too city pretty for him; guess I was too city pretty for him

And I never got to show him ‘round the town                                                          

Guess I was too city pretty for him; guess I was too city pretty for him

Too city pretty, too city pretty for him