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Backbone

by Emily Hurd

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1.
Siren 03:43
Sing me out of my mind like the song of a siren on a riverside. Sing me back to the time when I knew how to love. Sing me out of my head like the song of a siren on a riverbed. Sing me back from the dead to the living side of love. You are a melody, rock my soul like a rolling sea. I hear it calling me as the funeral marches by. This year was hard for me, ain't much peace or harmony. But you reach a part of me. I can hear it if I try. Sing me out of my mind like the song of a siren on a riverside. Sing me back to the time when I knew how to love. Sing me out of my head like the song of a siren on a riverbed. Sing me back from the dead to the living side of love. Somethings, they don't come back. My old man had a heart attack. But how long do I wear the black before I let it fly? This year was hard for me, ain't much peace or harmony. But you reach a part of me. I can hear it if I try. Sing me out of my mind like the song of a siren on a riverside. Sing me back to the time when I knew how to love. Sing me out of my head like the song of a siren on a riverbed. Sing me back from the dead to the living side of love. You are a melody, and I sing you down to Tennessee. I feel you healing me as the mountain streams go by. Some souls are meant to be, when they talk, it's like a symphony. That's how you've been to me. You don't even have to try. Sing me out of my mind like the song of a siren on a riverside. Sing me back to the time when I knew how to love. Sing me out of my head like the song of a siren on a riverbed. Sing me back from the dead to the living side of love.
2.
Behind the lights of my hometown, beyond the big road are small folks, we're holdin it down. You wouldn't know just by the lights, that we are field keepers, steel wielders, writers of rhyme. Everybody knows what they think until they're shown what's behind the scenes. They once thought us strange, now they'll be thinkin that we ain't, and the truth is in between. If you want to know a country, go it by the rail. The best part's the backyards, off the beaten trail.If you want to know somebody, go between the lines. The best show's the one that goes on Behind the lights of my old house, beyond the front stair, we're in there all singing out loud. You wouldn't know just by the lights, that we are free wheelers, deep feelers, drinkers of wine. Everybody knows what they think until they're shown what's behind the scenes. They once thought us sad, now they'll be think we're not too bad. And the truth is in between. If you want to know a country, go it by the rail. The best part's the backyards, off the beaten trail.If you want to know somebody, go between the lines. The best show's the one that goes on Behind the lights of my old eyes, there is a hard dreamer, star seeker, lover of life. You wouldn't know just by the lights, I've crashed and burned and returned to look at you tonight. Everybody knows what they think until they're shown what's behind the scenes. They once thought me wrong, now they'll be thinking that I'm strong. And the truth is in between. If you want to know a country, go it by the rail. The best part's the backyards, off the beaten trail.If you want to know somebody, go between the lines. The best show's the one that goes on behind the lights.
3.
Can't get over this October. It's the golden time. From the harbor I see farther into starry skies. While I bet that heaven gets a better view up high, God above us, you must love us, this October night. Can't get over this October, how he looks just right. There's a halo on my angel in the pale moon light. And though I know we get more holy on the other side, God above us, you must love us, this October night. Praise the saints who left the gates of heaven open wide. Kingdom come came early from the evening sky tonight. Can't get over this October. Do I trust my eyes? With all do respect to you Lord, and your paradise, I don't need to die to see the light. I see just fine. God above us, you must love us, this October night. Praise the saints who left the gates of heaven open wide. Kingdom come came early from the evening sky tonight. Can't get over this October, even if I tried. From this pier, I'm seeing clear the best years of my life. And I believe it's heavenly just standing at his side. God above us, you must love us, this October night.
4.
Backbone 03:25
Measure me, not by inches I am tall. It ain’t written on a wall all the ways someone can grow. Can’t you see how the height of me depends on what I've been up against. That’s how far I've had to go. I was fall fall fallen down, struck me to the ground when you shot that line. Now I’m crawl crawl crawling out lucky that I’ve found that I’m twice as fine. And it breaks my heart. That you threw that stone. But you played your part. Building my backbone Treasure me, not by penny or by pound. That ain’t any way to count all the bounty that I hold. Can’t you see every smile you took away put a diamond in my brain, put a gold mine in my soul. I was fall fall fallen down, struck me with the sound of your bitter song. Now I’m crawl crawl crawling out, lucky that I’ve found, now I'm twice as strong. And it breaks my heart. That you threw that stone. But you played your part. Building my backbone I was fall fall fallen down, struck me from the clouds when you stormed my skies. Now I’m crawl crawl crawling out, lucky that I’ve found now I'm twice as high. And it breaks my heart. That you threw that stone. But you played your part. Building my backbone Remember me, sure as hell not by my face, but how well I faced the days that you brought me to my knees. Can’t you see, every curse you ever dealt put the worst under my belt, put the best in front of me. And it breaks my heart. That you threw that stone. But you played your part. Building my backbone
5.
Middleman 04:10
This would be a sunny day, but the clouds got in the way. This old world can be so mean, always something in between. I get the news about you now from the lips on someone else's mouth. Words are spoken. Songs are sung. Touch is still my mother tongue. Hold my place inside your heart. One fine day, the clouds will part. I will hold your little hand, without the middleman. This would be the perfect year, but the real world interfered. It's enough to make me scream, always something in between. It pains me how a pain of glass could part us now the way it has. When it cracks, we'll meet again, soul to soul, skin to skin. Hold my place inside your heart. One fine day, the clouds will part. I will hold your little hand, without the middleman. This would be a starry night, but the moon is shining bright. Constellations can't be seen. Always something in between. And so I throw some prayers to God. I've heard he's who will call the shots. Just in case they don't get through, I'm singing now, direct to you. Hold my place inside your heart. One fine day, the clouds will part. I will hold your little hand, without the middleman.
6.
When the clock struck 2, I woke up next to you, in a crescent moon so clear. In that early light, you make me think that I have died and gone right here. I have died and gone right here. There's a cold night breeze, so I pull you tight to me, and it's heavenly as hell. To be at your side, makes me think that I have died and lived to tell. I have died and live to tell. That my tombstone lies in the stone blue eyes of the soul who lies with me. Don't hold your breath, I ain't holding out for death before I rest in peace. The moonlight spreads to the pillow of the bed, and I give your head a kiss. And it feels so right, you make me think that I crossed over into this. I crossed over into this. And my tombstone lies in the stone blue eyes of the soul who lies with me. Don't hold your breath, I ain't holding out for death before I rest in peace. When I leave this world, don't you weep for me, my girl, if the gates of pearl don't shine. I could die today; paradise, it ain't a place. It's just a state of mind. When I look up high, there's a show up in the sky, and our seats tonight? Front row. It's a real fine sight; it makes me think that I have died a happy ghost. I have died a happy ghost. And my tombstone lies in the stone blue eyes of the soul who lies with me. Don't hold your breath, I ain't holding out for death before I rest in peace.
7.
Wild 04:12
I've been too long, being sweet, being strong, being cool to belong to these times. Setting my sights on pleasing their eyes has come at the price of my mind. I ain't too proud to call on you now. Let's get out of town for awhile. Run through the woods with me. Please don't be good with me. All that we should be is wild. I take to you like the waves to the moon. Untame the roots of my soul. Under the stars we'll recover what's ours, unruly parts that still grow wild. I just woke up, enough is enough, I'm trusting my gut here on out. Ain't gonna care about who's gonna stare. I ain't putting on airs anyhow. Sophisticated is so overrated, I'm ready to trade it all in. I'll kick back and ponder about the blue yonder til I learn to wonder again. I take to you like the waves to the moon. Untame the roots of my soul. Under the stars we'll recover what's ours, unruly parts that still grow wild. Lay here with me. I don't care who will see. Let 'em judge till it eats them apart. Wasting my days on chasing down praise flies in the face of my heart. I take to you like the waves to the moon. Untame the roots of my soul. Under the stars we'll recover what's ours, unruly parts that still grow wild.
8.
Big Shoes 03:52
Had you not been who you were, this would've been easier. I'd turn my back on this whole world, except it knows that I'm your girl. I put on your favorite shirt; helps a little when it hurts. And I march it through the streets of town, prayin' I don't let you down. If I had a dime for every single time that you came across my mind, I could buy a tall hill. And I'd climb for all I'm worth, cry to heaven: what on earth can I do down here with your big shoes to fill. I hear you inside my brain, telling me to up my game, put some sweat upon my brow, wipe that smirk off my mouth. Lookin' at the morning sky, puts a fire in my eye, and I march it down the streets of town. Old man, if you could see me now. If I had a dime for every single time that you came across my mind, I could buy a tall hill. And I'd climb for all I'm worth, cry to heaven: what on earth can I do down here with your big shoes to fill. Had you not been such a man, I would not be who I am. So I'm marching down these streets again. I'll make you prouder than you've never been. If I had a dime for every single time that you came across my mind, I could buy a tall hill. And I'd climb for all I'm worth, cry to heaven: what on earth can I do down here with your big shoes to fill.
9.
I don't think that we fell in love. I think love kinda fell on us. It just came down from up above, and landed on two kids like us, landed on two kids like us. I spoke soft, because I loved you first, but the time was off, and you missed the words. I closed my lips, but I hoped you might just come back, kid, when the time is right. Come back kid, when the time is right. Oh how long did I wait on the hook of love, at the mercy of fate. Oh now, until the end, I would wait for you, my friend. I would wait for you, my friend. The years went passed, and my faith had left, right when you came back to my back doorstep. And I admit that you took too long, but a comeback kid, man he come back strong. Comeback kid, man he come back strong. Oh how long did you wait on the hook of love, at the mercy of fate. Oh now, until the end, you would wait for me, my friend. You would wait for me, my friend. And now I get what I never got 'cause I learned a bit while I yearned a lot. You keep your wits in a real good spot, and a comeback kid is a damn good shot. Comeback kid is a damn good shot. Oh how long did I wait on the hook of love, at the mercy of fate. Oh now, until the end, I would wait for you, my friend. I would wait for you, my friend.
10.
Nothing outlandish, no big affair. Nobody brandished a point in the air. The day kind of vanished outside on the stair, getting next to nothing done. Life is a record. The songs are the years. And some stick forever in my eyes and ears. I'd like to remember this time we've got here, 'cause this is the one that I feel Sun on my skin, your hand on my shoulder, wind on my face, mud on my feet. Take it all in, 'cause when you get older, these are the days, you'll play on repeat. The leaves have gone yellow, they blow in the breeze, like they're waving hello from some ancient decree. And we're fortunate fellows that moments like these are the way that we have fun. I drink like a sailor with my thirsty eyes, the bold a bright flavor of afternoon skies. Later I'll savor the way you and I sat here punch drunk and stunned, feeling Sun on my skin, your hand on my shoulder, wind on my face, mud on my feet. Take it all in, 'cause when you get older, these are the days, you'll play on repeat. Years from today, if I'm sitting alone, looking out of the window at this family home, my thoughts'll be spinning around like a ball. I don't know what they'll be, but I bet I'll recall Nothing outlandish, no big affair. Nobody brandished a point in the air. The day kind of vanished outside on the stair, getting next to nothing done. So let's throw back some minutes like bumps on a log to the soundtrack of crickets and children and frogs. 'Cause someday I'll sip this like hair of the dog during sobering months, when I need some Sun on my skin, your hand on my shoulder, wind on my face, mud on my feet. Take it all in, 'cause when you get older, these are the days, you'll play on repeat. These are the days you'll play on repeat.

credits

released December 6, 2017

Emily Hurd: vocals & acoustic piano
Gregg Ostrom: electric guitar & acoustic guitar (tracks 3, 4, & 7)
John Abbey: bass & acoustic guitar (tracks 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, & 9)
Alton Smith: Hammond organ & Wurlitzer electric piano
Gerald Dowd: drums & percussion
Jenny Mathews: album art

Produced, engineered, mixed, & mastered by John Abbey
All songs written by Emily Hurd
Copyright Emily Hurd 2018, BMI
All rights reserved

For Johanna: be strong

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Emily Hurd Rockford, Illinois

Emily Hurd is a prolific songwriter, best known for her clear voice, bold lyrics, and clever rhymes.  Her songwriting style combines soul, country, folk, and blues. Paul Zollo of American Songwriter says that she writes "albums to fall into and swim in forever." Emily's songs have appeared on television, including NCIS, 90210, The Good Wife.  She has currently produced 15 full-length albums. ... more

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