LINER NOTES

ALBUM CREDITS:

℗ © 2023 The Talking Hearts

Recorded at Wachusett Recording Co.

Preproduction & Songcrafting by Zach Meyer

Engineered by Mike Harmon

Mixed by Dan Bui

Mastered by Jeff Lipton & Maria Rice at Peerless Mastering

Album art by Bill Meyer

THANKS:

To all those with whom our relationships (good and bad, but mostly bad) inspired these songs;

To our parents for nurturing our musical journeys;

To the Mass Cultural Council and our Kickstarter backers for their generous support;

To our wonderful extended musical family, including but not limited to Grain Thief, Twisted Pine, Dumpster Debbie, The Empty Bottle Ramblers, Old Tone Roots Music Festival, Blackpot Camp, Swamp in the City, Club Passim, The (old) Cantab, The Bebop, and our home away from home, The Burren.

1. YOU’RE A WALKIN’ BREATHIN’ COUNTRY SONG

© Rachel Rosenberg / RayJu Publishing (ASCAP)

I’m not trying to be mean
though I could with all you done wrong;
but honey, I can’t help that
you’re a walkin’ breathin’ country song.

I spent so long feeling dizzy and I can’t take back my time;
but sweetie, life has spoken— now I know your love is not worth a dime.

Take a good look in the mirror and you might not like what you see;
but darlin’, you know damn well that you’re not enough of a man for me.

And now that it’s all over, I don’t wanna cause too much shame;
’cause baby, you are broken, so my songs will never say your name.

2. Choose your woman wisely

© Rachel Rosenberg / RayJu Publishing (ASCAP)

Be careful when you choose your woman
or you just might lose yourself.
’Cause once you choose your woman,
she’ll choose everything else.

Be wise when you choose your bride!
It’s her decisions you will abide,
while the things you love get cast aside.
Be wise when you choose your bride.

Be smart before you give your heart!
These little things are just a start.
The life you know could fall apart,
so be smart before you give your heart.

Think twice or you’ll pay the price!
Don’t be a fool; stop rolling the dice.
I know you’re trying to be real nice,
but think twice or else you’ll pay the price.

I’m only telling you this ’cause I’m your pal:
be smart before you choose your gal.

3. Back in the middle

© Rachel Rosenberg / RayJu Publishing (ASCAP)

You brought the highest highs and the lowest lows;
then you walked right out the door and took my heart.
And now I’m off this roller coaster ride that we called love.
Yes, I’m back in the middle again.

I’ve got so much free time now that you’re not on the line.
I can hear my own thoughts; I’ve found the key.
Not even that glance could make me give you one more chance.
Ever since you quit me I feel free.

Did I ever have your heart or was it always just pretend?
Either way your spell on me came to an end
’cause I don’t need your arms to hold me oh so tight.
I’ve got something better: I can sleep at night.

4. WHO’S the crazy one

© Rachel Rosenberg / RayJu Publishing (ASCAP)

Even though the saying goes the past is just the past,
I should know that a man don’t change so fast.
You tried to warn me about all the things you’d done,
but I thought my love could fix you, so who’s the crazy one?

I’d wake up in the night to hear you cry about your pain—
those memories of her still haunting you.
You’d disappear for days on end then lie about your shame.
How was I supposed to know just what to do?

I’d listen to your same old story over and over again,
yet you never could remember what I’d say.
You’d shy from my touch and then you’d pull me back again,
but only just enough to make me stay.

5. The Trouble with running

© Rachel Rosenberg / RayJu Publishing (ASCAP)

There’s brighter skies in sunny California.
The moonshine tastes better in Nashville, Tennessee.
I don’t know where I’m going, but it’s better than here.
Gonna pack my bags, and sack my tears, and hope that I’ll be free.

The trouble with running is you bring yourself—
that’s what my mother always said to me.
But things will turn out fine if I don’t change my mind…
and maybe I’ll be far in front of troubles chasing me.

There’s single guys in good ol’ Austin, Texas
and music sounds better in New York City.
I don’t know where I’m going but the grass will be green.
Gonna sing my song and travel on, these blues can’t follow me.

6. pour one out (For Poor Old Me)

© Rachel Rosenberg / RayJu Publishing (ASCAP)

No, whiskey won’t save me; I know what I’ll find
when the bottle is empty and you’re on my mind.
And tequila can’t try me for the wrongs that I’ve done,
but just one more shot of liquor and I’ll see that you’ve won.

So pour one out for poor old me;
I’m as lonesome as can be.
The days are long, the nights are cold.
At least you’re happy, or so I’m told.

I once had a good life, started running around.
Then I lost a good wife when she put me down.
Now I’m here a’crying; there’s a tear in my beer.
It turns out I’m lonesome when I don’t have you near.

7. for the right price i’m free

© Rachel Rosenberg / RayJu Publishing (ASCAP)

I don’t like your fancy suits; I’d rather see some cowboy boots.
Honey, you are not the man for me.
And I don’t want your trip to France— that’s not my style of romance.
A honky tonkin’ bar is where I’ll be.

If you think it’s love you found put your feet back on the ground.
You’re living in your own reality.
So take your money somewhere else; I’d rather be all by myself.
You might be the richest man but for the right price I’m free.

I don’t need to fly first class; that’s not my thing, I’ll take a pass.
Don’t care much for money, can’t you tell?
So while you’re way up in the sky I won’t be sad that you’re not my guy.
You can’t buy my love; I’m not for sale.

8. Two Times Too Many

© Rachel Rosenberg / RayJu Publishing (ASCAP)

It must be so hard for you to understand
why I think you’re a fool when you think you’re so grand.
So let me tell you why you’re not my kinda guy
and I’m not gonna try anymore:

’Cause it’s been two times too many we’ve been down this road,
and it’s been two times too many your true self has showed.
I’m not here to be anybody’s punching bag
and it’s two times too many you got mad.

It must be so hard to live life in your skin—
hiding all that pent up rage under your fake grin.
So let me tell you why this isn’t gonna fly
and I’m not gonna cry anymore:

’Cause it’s been two times too many you blamed someone else,
and it’s been two times too many you can’t see yourself.
I’m not here to be anybody’s punching bag
and it’s two times too many you got mad.

9. why are we talking… again?

© Rachel Rosenberg / RayJu Publishing (ASCAP)

I got your message today—
the first one you sent since you went away.
You told me I was to blame,
how my silence has caused you such pain.

You made your bed, now go to sleep.
This isn’t a game I want to repeat.
You called it off, I thought we were through.
So why are we talking… again?

You think your life isn’t fair—
that you are a victim and nobody cares.
Time hasn’t changed you at all;
thanks but no thanks, I won’t take your call.

10. Tryin’ to try

© Zach Meyer / MacWaffle Publishing (ASCAP)
& Rachel Rosenberg / RayJu Publishing (ASCAP)

I’ve been searching for something that I ain’t never found.
I gotta get myself to the other side of town.
Steady work there so they say. I’ll make a few bucks someday,
but there’s no need for me to try today.

Inertia got the best of me.
I’ve been trying so hard to try, can’t you see?
For all my hustlin’ round,
I still can’t get off the ground.
Oh, inertia got the best of me.

I gotta get me a gal who’s sweet and fine as gold;
our love will never grow cold.
Steady woman one sweet day, though it means that I’ve gotta pay;
so maybe I just won’t try today.