Get all 15 Ryan Garrett releases available on Bandcamp and save 25%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Miles, Tell Me Where You Are (Single), See You In Paradise (Single), Frog Pond (Single), Don't Let The Bastard Win, The Goat Album (AKA Songs About Hurricanes, Dollar Stores, and Talking Horses), Extra Goats EP, Live at Brewskees Louisville 2017, and 7 more.
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1. |
Alone
04:54
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I'll smile while it's easy
'Cause it gets tougher every day
So don't get used to the expressions I display
I remember wanting life to fly past me
Always thought that would help me out
But you know, that doesn't help me now
Because I'm falling faster now
I was never really on the ground
Is there anyone left who hasn't made that jump?
Is everybody too far gone?
Is there anyone here who hasn't sold their soul?
Or am I really out here on my own?
All the people that I love keep moving on
Is it too much to ask for some place to call home?
Is there anyone who hasn't gave up innocence for ignorance?
Cause I'm standing on the edge and I'm all alone
I'll love because it feels good
Giving sets me straight
And I don't belong anywhere that houses hate
I guess I'm just tired of burning bridges
Like I've done so many times
Through all the years self-doubt has changed my mind
I was nervous but now I'm sure
Of the direction I am heading for
And if you only go straight through life
You might not see what's to the left or to the right
And if you throw yourself into reverse
You'll just be dreaming ahead as you're being pulled back with the tide
You can go up, you can go down
Might have to turn yourself around
Just don't be afraid to color outside the borders
Because the only true way to go anywhere in life
Is just to open up your eyes and move forward
I'm all alone...
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2. |
Runaway Soul
04:55
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So you're sick and tired of this life that you've been living in
And the news is old blues just like it's always been
Although I'd never evade this life just because it's tough
They say I ain't seen nothing yet but I think I've seen enough
Do you ever feel like the world has left you behind?
And all the wired up strings of your heart will not unwind
Well everybody's saying straighten up and act your age
But you can't afford room to grow on a minimum wage
And I say this without thinking about where my words might lead
And I say this not considering what I really need
Is it you or is it me? Are you still listening?
Let me know soon so I don't leave the phone to ring
Well you're just a runaway soul seeing black and blue
Sometimes you stop to ask yourself "Which color are you?"
When they're all telling you everything you don't wanna hear
Just let it go in and out the other ear
Running day to day gets so tough
Gotta keep going when the going gets rough
Do you think you've heard enough?
Do you think you've seen enough?
At the end of the day you're restlessly lying awake
And your mind reminds you of all your past mistakes
Well everybody's out there trying to be someone they're not
Just know that you're something original that they haven't got
Still you're sick and tired of this life that you've been living in
And the news is old blues just like it's always been
But when they tell you you've done a good job it cuts you like a knife
Because you're scared you'll be stuck in this rut for the rest of your life
And I say this without caring about where my words might lead
And I say this because what I want might not be what I need
It's not you but I wanna believe that you're still listening
Let me know soon so I don't leave the phone to ring
Let me know soon so I don't leave the phone to ring
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3. |
Heart Shaped Balloons
05:25
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You've got the wrong man...you've got the wrong man...
I start my day with a cup of laughter
Never been good at anything else
Except the regret that follows after
Turns out I was laughing at myself
Standing in rooms where I once broke down
Opening doors I swore were locked
I kept searching for the hard place
As I was stuck between two rocks
But everyone speaks louder than me
And everyone works harder than me
If everyone's created equally
Then who are you to disagree?
Cause when you've got heart shaped balloons all pink and red
It's just something else to hang over your head
A double-edged sword cutting everyone into
I feel used, they feel abused
You say you understand, but I doubt it
I try to take a stand and say you've got the wrong man
Don't make me feel guilty about it
I start my night with a cup of poison
The only thing that I think I deserve
Surround myself with sex and noise
And anything else to calm my nerves
But these dreams and all these smiles
They comfort me like a quilt
These eyes that once stared down demons
Now cannot see through all this guilt
But everyone's entitled to be free
When everyone deserves some sympathy
Divide it up ever-so carefully
Just don't waste it all on me
Cause when you've got heart shaped balloons all pink and red
It's just something else to hang over your head
A double-edged sword cutting everyone into
(And me too)
I feel used, they feel abused
You say you understand, but I doubt it
I try to take a stand, Say you got the wrong man
Don't make me feel guilty about it
What on Earth is this?
And how did I get on your list
And how am I to blame?
Cause I never asked for this
No answered prayer, no granted wish
Do you even know my name?
Cause when you've got it made and they've got it hard
They try not to see the good in your heart
You could stand next to a work of art
And they still wouldn't see that you're falling apart
Because your smile and your wealth is all they see
Your name in their mouth is all they need
Cause they don't know what it's like to be up all night
Worried, wonderin' if someone's got something to eat
But that's just how it goes, they say
Enjoy it while you can, they say
You may be loved and you may be rich
But life for you is still a bitch
Because your words, they cut me deep
These riches don't mean a thing to me
A lost shepherd atop a hill so steep
All he can do is watch for sheep to die
When you got heart shaped balloons all pink and red
It's just something else to hang over your head
A double-edged sword cutting everyone into
(Except you)
But I feel used, they feel abused
You say you understand, but I doubt it
I try to take a stand
Try to make you understand
That you've got the wrong man...
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4. |
I'm Alright
04:31
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Shut the door, I don't want it wide open like it was before
I'll let some light in every now and then
You see it's like a clear day but the sky's still gray
You never know how long it'll stay
It's like calling a phone with no dial tone
And leaving messages anyway
But I'm alright, I'm alright
I still got my dreams to help me sleep at night
I'm alright, I'm alright
I can wake up when I want but some days aren't worth the fight
But I can't change myself
And I can't explain myself
And I know it's strange myself
But it's something that I can't help
So don't try to figure it out
You'll just disappoint us both, I have no doubt
It's not that I'm scared of myself
I'm just afraid of everything else
You pretend I'm weak
I pretend I know
And it don't bother me
But you act like it's wrong
To carry the weight of the world
And everything under the sun
It's no stranger to my shoulders
Time to drop it all at once
But I'm alright, I'm alright
I still got my dreams to help me sleep at night
I'm alright, I'm alright
I can wake up when I want but some days aren't worth the fight
I'll be fine in the morning but until then goodnight.
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5. |
Closest Thing To Harlan
04:33
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From the blood that's spilled from our abandoned heartbeats
To the riverbeds that bring ourselves to be
We saw you drink from fountains
Far away from any mountains
But it's the closest thing to Harlan you'll ever see
I was setting fires to lakes as they were freezing
I was melting ice they said would never break
I fell asleep inside for years
Tossed and turned my way down here
But if it's the closest thing to Harlan, I'll never wake
But if hope is only lost then it could surely be found
You just have to take a look around
And if dreams come when we sleep, then why are we awake
Just waiting for the blessings to drop down?
You know you have to love it
And you have to keep it close
Because the demon that raised questions
Is the one you need the most
And it's not the destination that makes you
It's how long you're on the road...
It's a catch-22 for all the ages
It's a vicious circle weaved inside our minds
The only thing that's dead
Is the voice inside your head
Saying "It's the closest thing to Harlan you'll leave behind"
She was standing by the gates as they were closing
Wandering at a loss for where to go
The land is flat, the trees are bare
Dead end choices everywhere
But it's the closest thing to Harlan she'll ever see
And if hope is only lost then it can surely be found...
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6. |
Addicted
05:24
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This highway's paved with eggshells
At the crossroad of our common ground
I've been walking in circles
But you'd be surprised at what I found
Cause this town is no place to hide for an introvert
But it could be worse
I'm not saying I'm in love
I'm just saying I wish the whole world worked the way we work
Cause you and I
We are addicted to everything
And if you don't believe me
Just try to take it away and see
I feel the embers raging from the overzealous bitter man
Threatening to gun down anything he doesn't understand
Some people these days will only try to win the race
To demean second place
It appears some are close behind
But it's you they're trying to chase
It's a disgrace
There's people pushing me to my limits
They're shoving all the way to the edge
There's people setting ridiculous expectations
And I've got wars waged inside my head
There's people telling me I'll surely fail
They've all trapped me here in this cell
There's people shoving ideas down my throat
There's folks that only speak to tell me no
There's corruption and fatigue
Depression and anxiety
There's people out there telling me I won't amount to anything
There's people always damning me for my point of view
Constantly telling me what to do
And then there's you...
This highway's paved with eggshells
At the crossroad of our common ground
I've been walking in circles
But you'd be surprised at what I found
A little more choice, a little less decision
A little more spirit, a little less religion
You don't know you need something until it scares you to death
And you leave me out of breath
Cause you and I...
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7. |
Imagination
04:07
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The typical silver moon looks gold this afternoon
And all this quiet weather makes the sky look just like leather
But it's not all that blue, no it looks more like you
Stars are bright like the whitest smile you've not revealed in such a while
But I can't see through all the stained glass teardrops
The city lights pass by like they'll never stop
Have you really been right here through all these twisted years?
Have I been wasting time in my own fear?
Or was it just my imagination?
Was it just my imagination?
These past regrets fall like ashes from cigarettes
Across my life these memories scatter
Except the ones that really matter
Like the time you saw me through and all the work you had to do
Just to get me to see that you were right in front of me
But these days it gets so hard to earn some trust
Everyone says Hey, you've got nothing to offer us
We're never satisfied. Within each other's company we hide.
But all along you felt it somewhere deep inside
Or was it just my imagination?
The objects in your mind may be closer than they appear
But sometimes it gets so hard to see it all so clear
And I know I overthink it all or so it seems
But I swear to God I know what I mean
And I can't see through all the stained glass teardrops
The city lights pass by like they'll never stop
Have you really been right here through all these twisted years?
Have I been wasting time in my own fear?
Or was it just my imagination?
Was it just my imagination?
Was it just my imagination?
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8. |
Take You Out
05:27
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Lately they all tell me I should stop
And let it all go instead
Of trying to fly you to the top
And set you off over my head
Remember when we were young and so full of doubt?
Acting like we knew what we were talking about
But times are so much darker now
Call me crazy, call me insecure
But I'm hearing those voices again in my head
Call me crazy if you're sure
Because I'm scared they're out to get me
Something tells me they're onto us
And I refuse to drag you with me
Cause you're the only thing I can trust
They strip you down and put you to the test
Then dress me up with fear and doubt
And I'm the one who got you in this mess
I'm not gonna let them take you out
Should I shut up and go back home?
Would it even matter to you?
Do you even know what's going on?
Or are you just getting through?
Remember back at the start when you were telling me
That I could be anything that I wanted to be?
I want to be the one that sets you free
Those condescending zealots will break your heart
Someday I'll try to break it all down for you
But tonight I don't know where to start
Because I swear they're out to get me
Something tells me they're onto us
And I refuse to drag you with me
Cause you're the only thing I can trust
They strip you down and put you to the test
Then dress me up with fear and doubt
And I'm the one that got you in this mess
I'm not gonna let them take you out.
Why don't you just run away?
And live to see another day
Cause it's not life you're living here
It's not life if you live in fear
Tomorrow's never gonna come
If the darkest night has just begun
I've never known an easy way
So why don't you just run away?
Not gonna let em, Not gonna let em
Not gonna let em take you out
Not gonna let em, Not gonna let em
Not gonna let em take you out...
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9. |
Tease Me
04:29
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So it looks like you've been sold
About time you come around you start to leave again
Right when I start to believe again
You're like a lost and found that's been lost again
But I'm not ready to give up on you my friend
Once again you try and tease me
But you're the only one that could ever please me
So go ahead and cut your corners
I'll go ahead and pay it forward
After all you were my only friend
I'm in between and you're appointed
My words went dry and you were anointed
But you'll be disappointed in the end
Then again maybe I'm the one that's losing
Hey, today's just another day
And I'm still out of the way waiting for the call
That tells me I either won or lost it all
You're like a lost and found that's lost it all
But I'm just around the corner at no cost at all
Once again you try and tease me
You know just how to capture and release me
So it looks like you've been sold
About time you come around...
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10. |
Fundamentals
05:27
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I will not bend, I will not break
I will not try to comprehend the sense it doesn't make
We are put on God's green Earth
For what? It isn't clear
Until we leave our quiet comfort zones
And abolish all the fear
So why are we still tripping on words that have no meaning?
And why are we still pushing out verbs
It isn't something that we do or that we start
It's something deep inside our hearts
There are no fundamentals of being who you are
It's more than I can take
I will not bend, I will not break
I will not try to understand the sense it doesn't make
We are put on this cruel world
For what? It isn't clear
Until we leave our quiet comfort zones
And abolish all the fear
All these rules and regulations
Expectations and obligations
They do not define who I've become
And I will not be ashamed to think
To speak, to feel, or to use this ink
To write down anything I can
So you know my work here isn't done...
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11. |
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Ain't got a reason to hold back
Ain't got a reason to hold on
Standing out by the railroad track
Now you see me, now you don't
I'm not sure where I'm going
But it's better than standing still
Or walking around in circles
Thinkin' bout the way she looked at me
Oh, if looks could kill...
There's a demon on my left
There's an angel on my right
There's an aching in my chest
Telling me nothing's worth the fight
She was standing by herself
Bound for some place no one knows
I don't know if it's the right thing to do
But here it goes...
And she said "I'm tired of losing. Everyone always wins but me and you."
She said "I just wanna get a hand on some wheels
To take me where someone cares how I feel"
But that might take a mile or two...
I guess that's why I'm always leaving
I always run from train to train
To give her space from my deceiving
To get away from all this pain
I'm not sure where I'm going
But it's better than standing still
Or walking around in circles
Thinkin' bout the way she looked at me...
But she said "I don't mean to hurt anyone
I can't help that I'm naive"
She said "I soak in every lie that I receive
Because it's nice to have something to believe"
Don't we all want to believe?
She asked me "Hey, what's there to believe in?
Could you tell me before you go?
Did you hear me? I said, Hey, what's there to believe in?"
I looked at her and whispered, "I don't know"
She said "I'm tired of losing
Everyone always wins but me and you"
She said "I just wanna get a hand on some wheels
To take me where someone cares how I feel"
But that might take a mile or two
But what's there to believe in?
Could you tell me before you go?
I said Hey, what's there to believe in?
What's there to believe in?
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12. |
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Should I start this off with a curse
That makes everyone else turn off this song
So we could be alone for just one verse
Or at least until two rights make it wrong
Beneath the twilight, there's an honest chance
A chance that you might someday change your mind
In any given sunset, I'll watch you dance
Yesterdays are just these things we leave behind
Wouldn't it be right if I seen you out tonight?
Up above the world so high
Because it's too lonely down here
Just a couple hundred light years...
Was it real or was it just the rain?
Did it all build up just to fall apart?
Or was I just a drug inside your veins
Weaning you off someone else's heart?
And if you can't stop thinking about it
And if you can't stop dreaming about it
And if you can't stop longing for it
Then you can't stop fighting for it
Should I conclude this thought with your name
So everyone would know that this song's for you
Yeah I know, it sounds insane but then again
Being up in space is kinda crazy too
Wouldn't it be right if I seen you out tonight?
Up above the world so high
Because it's too lonely down here
Just a couple hundred light years
Up in someone else's sky...
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13. |
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(instrumental)
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Ryan Garrett Russell Springs, Kentucky
Singer/Songwriter from Russell Springs, Kentucky. All instruments, lyrics, and compositions by Ryan Garrett unless otherwise noted.
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Way Of The World
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