This Isn't Wrong

Does it bode well, do you think, that the horoscope for my star sign today read, "Resist the urge to share your inner thoughts with others today.  They [the thoughts, apparently] are not as interesting as you think [they are]," on the day I return to this blog?  Not that I believe in such things, to be sure, but I was staring blankly (as I do) at the news screen on the train this morning and the horoscopes showed up.  What's funny is that that is exactly what I think anyway.  Thanks, train monitor screen.  You're helpful.

Anyway, I can't believe it's been a year.  Over a year, really.  Damn.  Ironically, I would say that 2011 and 2012 have been my most prolific years, in terms of songwriting - which only means, dear reader, that I have much to relate, and much to post.  As a result, I have decided to curtail this blog back to its original purpose, which was to post song lyrics.  Of my own creation, that is.  The reviews of the CMAs/ACMs/CMT Music Fest were fun, definitely, but they took up a lot of time (with typing, and finding original words), and were the primary reason I took a break; time-consuming work plus lazy does not add up to productive.

But, I will still quickly go over some new music.  Because I really want to call your attention to a few CDs I recently (read: in the past month) added to my collection.  The first, and this is a big one, is the Pistol Annies debut, Hell on Heels.  I know I'm a little (very) late to the Pistol Annies party, but it's never too late to join a bandwagon, and I'm so there.  Holy cow, these girls are good - not just singing-wise, but lyrically as well.  Highlights include, "Lemon Drop" and "Beige."  And "Bad Example."  The band rocks - literally.  But also figuratively.  Next up is a trio I've mentioned before, The Band Perry.  I had all of the singles which were released ("Hip to My Heart," which is yuck; "If I Die Young," which shines like nothing else; "You Lie," which is pretty awesome; and "All Your Life," which is fairly boring), but when they sang "Postcard From Paris" at the ACMs in April, I finally gave in and got the self-titled album, because there is no way it was going to disappoint.  And disappoint it absolutely did NOT.  I'm interested in these things, so I read a few dozen reviews about the album, and was surprised to come across one which said that the singles were its highlights.  I respectfully disagree, because wonderful as I think (most of) the singles are, the tracks which follow really steal the show.  "Miss You Being Gone," "Double Heart," "Independence," and "Lasso" in particular.  I listen to this album and I just know it's the future of country music - and I like it. Very much.

I also finally just got the new Dierks Bentley album, Home.  Let me just say, I cannot believe I didn't find him exciting.  It's such graceful, amazing, energetic, and loving music - THIS is country music, people.  Sit up and take notice.  I'm not at all surprised that he is best friends with Brad Paisley, because their music fits together with such complementary and enhancing power.  (Although, that line in "Breathe You In" about wanting to be so close, "you can wear my skin like a new set of clothes" kind of creeps me out, not gonna lie).  Of course, the title track is a highlight, but also "The Woods," "When You Gonna Come Around," Heart of a Lonely Girl" (except, really, what the hell is going on?), and "Thinking of You" (with his little daughter, Evie, at the end) are additional standouts on an album that has so many it might just be worth listening to continually in its entirety.  That's what I'm doing right now.

Two less stellar albums I put on my iPod recently are Thompson Square, the self-titled debut of the husband-and-wife duo, and Barefoot Blue Jean Night, by Jake Owen.  I know that TS is this new huge sensation, beating (!!) Sugarland (!!) at the ACMs for Duo of the Year (!!!), but frankly, I just don't get it.  Aside from "Glass," and "Let's Fight," I'm just not particularly impressed.  Maybe something about Keifer puts me off - I don't know.  The Jake Owen has some gorgeous songs ("Barefoot Blue Jean Night," for example, is transcendent; and "Setting the World on Fire" is nice), but the rest of it is fairly unremarkable.  "Alone With You," as the second single, was a good choice (aside from the fact that "don't slip your hand under my shirt and tell me it's okay" sounds to me, as a woman, very...uncomfortably, SVU-like).  I think it's the fact that his voice is not...doesn't have a special quality about it which would make it stand out.  He doesn't have a Dierks dry twang, or a Brad silkiness, or a Keith Urban profundity, or an Alan Jackson affability, or even a Blake Shelton awkwardness to his voice, and I think it prevents the creation of a signature singing style.  But what do I know?

Lastly, I've two "new" Keith Urban albums, and a Hunter Hayes.  I say "new," with quotation marks, because one was his debut, Keith Urban, in 1999 (and the album cover looks every bit of it, hilarious stuff), and the other Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing from 2006.  The missing Oxford comma really gets my goat.  Maybe they don't use them in Australia?  I prefer his post-Nicole stuff, so the latter was the first of that, and it's amazing.  With the first album, it's obvious that he was trying to appeal to the public/appease his label, and his electric guitar skills are downplayed (except in the instrumental "Rollercoaster," where they are finally given free rein and explode magnificently), which is a shame.  "Your Everything" is a highlight, and "Don't Shut Me Out" is nice, too.  But otherwise, knowing what was to come later in his career, it's kind of boring.  The other album has some amazing gems, though.  "Stupid Boy" very nearly made me cry, because of its raw veracity.  It hit home in so many ways, and gave me chills.  Then, "Once in a Lifetime," "I Told You So," "I Can't Stop Loving You," and "Won't Let You Down," in rapid succession, only continue the beautiful experience.  He really loves her.  I love that.

The Hunter Hayes is probably the last album I'll talk about.  Who has heard of Hunter Hayes?  Anyone?  No?  Let me tell you why.  Because, at every event where he's been nominated, or featured prominently, people vote for another young male newcomer, Scotty McCreery.  Bet you've heard of him.  I wish people paid more attention to HH, because listen: he writes or co-writes all of his stuff, sings both lead and background vocals, AND plays EVERY instrument.  Not even kidding, every single one. Piano, guitar, drums, yes.  Those are the easy ones.  Then, sitar, mandolin, and a whole bunch of others of which I hadn't even heard.  The album is called, predictably and understandably, Hunter Hayes, and his passion for the art really shines through.  "Wanted" was my favourite, until I heard "Cry With You."  Those two are lovely.  "Storm Warning," the first cut off the album, is another highlight, and "All You Ever" is good, too.  I'm just blown away by his talent (can't you tell?) and by the fact this guy and I are pretty much the same age.  I comfort myself with the fact that I am a few months (four) older.

Also good is Kellie Pickler's 100 Proof (WAY better than her sophomore album).  Best songs: all of them.  Truly.

Anyway, now that you've all probably scrolled down past that, here's this post's song.  If I remember, I wrote it last May.  Second week of May 2011?  How is it, that I've put the date on some songs, and on others, nothing?  Strange.  Maybe it took me a while.  It doesn't really have a story, it just is what it is.  (And it's not really true, I've only ever been kissed by one man ("man"), so right off the bat you know it's not a personal story.)

This Isn't Wrong

this is the worst thing I have ever done
kissed someone else when I'm dating someone
but he's not here, so I can breathe
I never thought this could happen this easily

please stay with me, you can sleep here tonight
just don't say a word, we've got no need to fight
this isn't me, but what the hell
I won't tell if you won't tell

CHORUS:
tonight you and I are fighting fire with fire
gonna do something to lie about to the liar
this is the way I can set myself free
let's get him back for what he's doing to me
we both know this won't last long
but for right now, it feels like this isn't wrong

I've never betrayed someone like this
but I say to myself it's just a kiss
and besides, he's the one who cheated first
so what he don't know won't ever hurt

please stay with me, you can sleep here tonight
just don't say a word, we've got no need to fight
this isn't me, but what the hell
I won't tell if you won't tell

CHORUS:
tonight you and I are fighting fire with fire
gonna do something to lie about to the liar
this is the way I can set myself free
let's get him back for what he's doing to me
we both know this won't last long
but for right now, it feels like this isn't wrong

I have no qualms about cheating on a cheater
if a guy wants to keep a girl, he shouldn't deceive her
I will always be the one to colour inside the lines
but I see this as me taking back what's mine

(p)
tonight you and I are fighting fire with fire
gonna do something to lie about to the liar
this is the way I can set myself free...

(crescendo)
please stay with me, you can sleep here tonight
just don't say a word, we've got no reason to fight
this isn't me, but what the hell
I won't tell if you won't tell

CHORUS:
tonight you and I are fighting fire with fire
gonna do something to lie about to the liar
this is the way I can set myself free
let's get him back for what he's doing to me
we both know that this won't last long
but for right now, it's clear this isn't wrong
we both know what we're doing won't last long
but right now, I've got a feeling this isn't wrong

this is the worst thing I've ever done,
kissed someone else while I'm dating someone...

For some reason, I'm reminded of that scene in Friends when Phoebe is pregnant and craving meat, and Joey pulls out steaks from freezer and says, "You know how you don't want to cheat on someone unless it's with someone really hot?"  Hmm.

Thanks for reading, and much love,

Just Another Ordinary Girl

I bet a honkytonk Angel could tell me how this whole thing works, where's Tammy Wynette when you need her?