Tim McGraw Album

When I'm here on this highway
Breathing diesel smoke
Driving hard for hours
Trying to make that Memphis show
People always ask me
"Son what does it take
To reach out and touch your dreams?"
To them I always say

Are you hungry?
Are you thirsty?
Is it a fire that burns you up inside?
How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Are you eating, sleeping, dreaming
With that one thing on your mind?
How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Cause if you want it all
You've got to lay it all out on the line

I get to make my living
Doing what I love
Every night I give my heart and soul
Sometimes that ain't enough
But brother, if you're like me
Looking down that road
Be careful of that wild wind, son
Sometimes it don't let go

Can you feel it?
Can you taste it?
Can you hear it knocking at your door?
How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Are you eating, sleeping, dreaming
With that one thing on your mind?
How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Cause if you want it all
You've got to lay it all out on the line

There's always a price you pay no matter what you do
If you're gonna climb that mountain to the top
It always comes down to

How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Are you eating, sleeping, dreaming
With that one thing on your mind?
How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Cause if you want it all
You've got to lay it all out on the line

My old friend, I recall
The times we had hanging on my wall
I wouldn't trade them for gold
Cause they laugh and they cry me
Somehow sanctify me
Their woven in the stories I have told
And tell again

My old friend, I apologize
For the years that have passed
Since the last time you and I
Dusted off those memories
But the running and the races
The people and the places
There's always somewhere else I had to be
Time gets slim, my old friend

Don't know why, don't know why
Don't know why, don't know why

My old friend, this song's for you
Cause a few a few simple verses
Was the least that I could do
To tell the world that you were here
Cause the love and the laughter
Will live long after
All of the sadness and the tears
We'll meet again, my old friend

Goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye

My old friend, my old friend
Goodbye, goodbye

1986 Harley
Blowing smoke and sucking oil
My daddy said, 'Buy it and you're crazy boy'
You can't tell me nothin'

It took me a year to fix it up
And one day to lay her down
I got a little hitch in my get-along now
You can't tell me nothin'

Talk is cheap and free advice
Is worth the price you pay
I had to find out for myself the hard way
You can't tell me nothin'

Hometown homecoming sweetheart
Nobody thought I had a prayer
Her mama said, 'Boy, don't you come around here'
You can't tell me nothin'

They say be careful what you wish for
I want to be her man
Two babies and a trailer later here I am
You can't tell me nothin'

Talk is cheap and free advice
Is worth the price you pay
I had to find out for myself the hard way
You can't tell me nothin'

They say drinking will kill you
The same thing for rolling smokes
But that's two of the three things that I like most
You can't tell me nothin'

I know what the good book preaches
But I know how I am
I just hope somebody up there understands
You can't tell me nothin'

On a lover's lee with a freeway view
Sittin' on my hood
Thinkin' bout you
Going over in my mind
Every kiss and every fire
Yeah the fool on the hill
Is leading down another night

There were days so hard
I thought I had to go
I'd get in my car
And just follow the road
But this is my home
And it's who I am
And I know I'd stay
If I could make this old town new again

Color other than blue again
I'd have something to do again
Instead of thinking about you again
But the people I know
The places I go
Remind me of you
Oh, somebody come around
And make this old town new

There were nights so long
I thought the sun burned out
And there were girls so wrong
I don't want to talk about
I was burning up the night
Yeah, in an alcohol flame
Lightin' up my way
Trying to make this old town new again

Color other than blue again
I'd have something to do again
Instead of thinking about you again
But the people I know
The places I go
Remind me of you
Won't somebody come around
And make this old town new

He said I was in my early 40's with a lot of life before me
And a moment came that stopped me on a dime
I spent most of the next days, looking at the X-rays
And talking 'bout the options, and talking 'bout sweet time

I asked him when it sank in that this might really be the real end
How's it hit cha when you get the kind of news
Man, what'd ya do ?

I went skydiving, I went rocky mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu
And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying
And he said someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dyin'

He said I was finally the husband that most of the time I wasn't
And I became a friend a friend would like to have
And all of a sudden goin' fishin wasn't such an imposition
And I went 3 times that year I lost my dad
Well I, I finally read the good book
And I took a good long hard look
At what I'd do if I could do it all again
And then...

I went skydiving, I went rocky mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu
And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying
And he said someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dyin'

Like tomorrow was a gift
And you got eternity to think about what you do with it
What should you do with it
What can I do with it
What would I do with it

I went skydiving, I went rocky mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu
And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying
And he said someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dyin'

In my home town
For anyone who sticks around
You're either lost or you're found
There's not much in between
In my home town
Everything's still black and white
It's a long, long way from wrong to right
From Sunday morning to Saturday night

Everybody just wants to get high
Sit and watch a perfect world go by
We're all looking for love and meaning in our lives
We follow the roads that lead us
To drugs or Jesus

My whole life
I've tried to run, I've tried to hide
From the stained glass windows in my mind
Refusing to let God's light shine
Down on me
Down on me

Everybody just wants to get high
Sit and watch a perfect world go by
We're all looking for love and meaning in our lives
There's not much space between us
Drugs or Jesus

Everybody wants acceptance
We all just want some proof
Everyone's just looking for the truth

Everybody just wants to get high
Sit and watch a perfect world go by
We're all looking for love and meaning in our lives
We follow the roads that lead us
To drugs or Jesus

Don't you remember
The fizz in a pepper
Peanuts in a bottle
At ten, two and four
A fried bologna sandwich
With mayo and tomato
Sittin' round the table
Don't happen much anymore

We got too complicated
It's all way over-rated
I like the old and out-dated
Way of life

Back when a hoe was a hoe
Coke was a coke
And crack's what you were doing
When you were cracking jokes
Back when a screw was a screw
The wind was all that blew
And when you said I'm down with that
Well it meant you had the flu
I miss back when
I miss back when
I miss back when

I love my records
Black, shiny vinyl
Clicks and pops
And white noise
Man they sounded fine
I had my favorite stations
The ones that played them all
Country, soul and rock-and-roll
What happened to those times?

I'm readin' Street Slang For Dummies
Cause they put pop in my country
I want more for my money
The way it was back then

Back when a hoe was a hoe
Coke was a coke
And crack's what you were doing
When you were cracking jokes
Back when a screw was a screw
The wind was all that blew
And when you said I'm down with that
Well it meant you had the flu
I miss back when
I miss back when
I miss back when

Give me a flat top for strumming
I want the whole world to be humming
Just keep it coming
The way it was back then

Back when a hoe was a hoe
Coke was a coke
And crack's what you were doing
When you were cracking jokes
Back when a screw was a screw
The wind was all that blew
And when you said I'm down with that
Well it meant you had the flu
I miss back when
I miss back when
I miss back when

I think something's broken
Then again, nothing's smoking
Or shakin'
Or chokin'
Like my old truck
But I think something's broken
And I think it's worth notin'
It started about the time
She got all packed up

Could be my ego
Could be my pride
Could be my calm, cool collected side
Maybe my heart's coming eye to eye
With the truth
She wasn't jokin'

I think something's broken
Cause I've just been laying 'round hopin'
That maybe any moment I'll get on track
I think something's broken
I'm all locked up and frozen
Cause I can't go forward
And I sure can't go back

Could be my ego
Could be my pride
Could be my calm, cool collected side
Maybe my heart's coming eye to eye
With the truth

I think it's my heart coming eye to eye
With the truth
She wasn't jokin'

I know something's broken
Cause I just started smokin'
And shakin'
And chokin'
Like my old truck

Here's to the corners yet to turn
Here's to the bridges yet to burn
Here's to the whole thing blown apart
It's open season on my heart
The days go by like flying bricks
Leave gaping holes too deep to fix
I'd just stay home if I were smart
It's open season on my heart

I can't blame anyone but me
This reckless fool I've come to be
My tired excuses just don't fit
It don't look good from where I sit
I've tried to change without much luck
I reached the point where I get stuck
I hit the streets and the fireworks start
It's open season on my heart

I can't be something that I'm not
I can't give what I haven't got
I don't know where or why or when
I only know the shape I'm in

So here's to the clown down in the mouth
Here's to the whole thing going south
My own true love's turned poison dart
It's open season on my heart

Here's turning heartaches into art
It's open season on my heart

Well Joe got a promotion
He's up there on top
Everybody was cheerin' him on
He deserves everything he's got

Guess who's the new talk of the town
The new S.O.B.
The one everybody loves cuttin' down
Man it's a sight to see
They all smile right to his face, and hide the jealousy
Me I'm just working hard to get to that place,
Where everybody hates me

(Now check this out)

Well Bill got a promotion
He knocked Joe back down
Now Joe's everybody's long lost friend (laugh)
He's back in the crowd

Guess who's the new talk of the town
The new S.O.B.
The one everybody loves cuttin' down
Man it's a sight to see
They all smile right to his face, and hide the jealousy
Me I'm just working hard to get to that place,
Where everybody hates me

Well everybody wants to be the big dog
Wanna wag that big dog tail
But til' they are they wanna see the big dog fail

You pay your dues and you get your breaks
Then your the S.O.B.
The one everybody loves to hate
It just comes naturally
They all smile right to your face, and hide the jealousy
That's just the way it goes and I can't wait
Til everybody hates me

In the fights they had he'd cover up his ears
Thought big boys don't cry, fought back all the tears
Mama'd use her make up, to hide the bruises on his face
In the morning they'd pretend that there'd never ever been a trace
His old man woke him up to help him find the car
Take the bus uptown outside some rundown bar
And swore that he was quittin
And then he'd start to cry
And though the boy knew the truth
Sometimes he'd still believe that lie

When the sins of the father are the sins of the son
All you do is crawl when you wanna run
And God gave boys their mamas cause
They always see their promise
And they help them understand
How to walk like a man
Walk like a man

They moved a lot of places, they never settled down
It got pretty old being the new kid in town
He always told his friends, my daddy's sick today
Said he'd be rich if he had a nickel every time he heard his mama say

The sins of the father are the sins of the son
Crawl before you walk, boy
Walk before you run
Come on, walk straight, I'm proud of you
Take my hand
I know you can
Walk like a man
Walk like a man

Your daddy's demons are callin' your name
Don't you listen to them cause they've got no claim
Temptations may come, that ain't no sin
You get stronger every time that you don't give in

The sins of the father are the sins of the son
You can't undo what has been done
You'll have to retrace his footsteps
Through the sand
And pray you find the love of a girl
And take her by the hand
And walk on
Walk like a man

I'm just a blank sheet of paper
This fool's about to write you a letter
To tell you that he's sorry
For the way he did you wrong
To ask for your forgiveness
For leavin you alone

He's been lookin down at me
It seems like forever
He takes the top on and off his pen
It's like he can't decide
What he wants to say
If he'd just tell the truth
I'd be on my way

But he just stares at me
And I just stare at him
He don't know where to start
To say he doesn't want it to end
Now its one hour later
And I'm still a blank sheet of paper

The sunlight is comin through the curtains
He's almost asleep pen in hand
There's a tear in his eye
That refuses to fall
If it would land on me
That would say it all

But he just stares at me
And I just stare at him
He don't know where to start
To say he doesn't want it to end
Now it's four hours later
And I'm still a blank sheet of paper

Oh but he just stares at me
And I just stare at him
He don't know where to start
To say he wants you back again
One broken heart later
And I'm still a blank sheet of paper

I don't know why he does what he does
Playing lost and found with your love
Trying to confuse you, use you Girl he's gonna lose you, sure enough
Don't know why he says all those things
Always shooting down your dreams
He outta know better than that
He outta be watching his back
Cause you know, you know

Girl I love the shine in your eyes
If only for a moment
Girl I'd be satisfied
If I could only touch your cheek
Maybe that's all I'd need
To make my life complete
Cause girl I can make you smile
If you knew that I was here
Wishing I could just be your tear

I don't know why I can't find the words
Saying all those things you deserve
Girl if it was me there, I swear
You know you wouldn't have to feel so unsure
About what tomorrow might bring
Girl you know I'd give everything
If I could just hold you like him
If I could be more than just friends
Cause you know, you know

Girl I love the shine in your eyes
If only for a moment
Girl I'd be satisfied
If I could only touch your cheek
Maybe that's all I'd need
To make my life complete
Cause girl I can make you smile
If you knew that I was here
Wishing I could just be your tear

Girl I love the shine in your eyes
If only for a moment
Girl I'd be satisfied
If I could only touch your cheek
Maybe that's all I'd need
To make my life complete
Cause girl I can make you smile
If you knew that I was here
Wishing I could just be your tear

I thought that was your voice
I thought that was my car
Now we ain't ever met before
But I know who you are
You're living in my house
And I'm living in a tent
And don't laugh, this second job of mine
Is paying both our rents
You're out here buying Happy Meals
And I'm eating rice and pintos
You so much as crack a smile at me, man
I'll come through this here window

Well you took my wife
And you took my kids
And you took that life
That I used to live
My pride, the pool, the boat, my tools, my dreams, the dog, the cat
Yeah I think that's just about everything
Oh I almost forgot
Do you want fries with that?

Your ketchup's in the bag
And a check is in the mail
I hope your chicken's raw inside
And I hope your bun is stale
I'm supposed to tell you
"Please come back"
But how bout this instead?
I hope you both choke on a pickle
Man, that would tickle me to death
I don't know what you're waiting on
You're holding up the line
Oh man, you ain't got no change coming back
Are you out of your mind?

Well you took my wife
And you took my kids
And you took that life
That I used to live
My pride, the pool, the boat, my tools, my dreams, the dog, the cat
Yeah I think that's all there is
Do you want fries with that?

Well you took my wife
And you took my kids
And you took that life
That I used to live
My pride, the pool, the boat, my tools, my dreams, the dog, the cat
Yeah I think that about covers it
Do you want fries with that?

I'm going to clean the house
I'm gonna fix the fence
In my final hours
I'm gonna tie up these loose ends
I won't leave a note
For anyone to find
Tomorrow they'll know
What I've done here tonight

The drastic steps I've taken
Are just an act of desperation
I knew no one would miss me
So what the hell?
I fought and lied, I drank too much
Hurt everyone I've ever touched
And just how much I hurt you it's hard to tell
This is not some cry for help
It's goodbye, I wish you well
Because I love you
I'm gonna kill myself

Now who's that
In my easy chair
Now what a minute
That's the old me sitting there
And I thank God
The devil in me died
Cause I stand before you now
A man changed and alive

The drastic steps I've taken
Are just an act of desperation
I knew no one would miss me
So what the hell?
I fought and lied, I drank too much
Hurt everyone I've ever touched
And just how much I hurt you it's hard to tell
This is not some cry for help
It's goodbye, I wish you well
Because I love you
I'm gonna kill myself

I'm going to clean the house
I'm gonna fix the fence
In my final hours
I'm gonna tie up these loose ends

He hasn't seen a drop of rain for months it seems
Rollin' river is nothing but a trickling stream
The crops are dying in the harsh sunlight
The dust on his tongue is dry
The fatted calf is down to skin and bones
We carry on

Alone in the city and she's only seventeen
The boy left her black and blue in the street so mean
Just twelve weeks along and she's got a life inside
Says she's never ever felt so alone
She walks in the shelter, they say "welcome home"

And we carry on
When our lives come undone
We carry on
Cause there's promise in the morning sun
We carry on
As the dark surrenders to the dawn
We were born to overcome
We carry on

Beyond the picket fences and the oil wells
The happy endings and the fairy tales
Is the reality of shattered lives and broken dreams
We carry on

It's the family that grieves for a lost loved one
It's the soldier who won't leave til the job is done
It's the addict trying to turn his life around
It's picking yourself off the ground when you've been knocked down

And we carry on
When our lives come undone
We carry on
Cause there's promise in the morning sun
We carry on
As the dark surrenders to the dawn
We were born to overcome

We carry on
When our lives come undone
We carry on
Cause there's promise in the morning sun
We carry on
As the dark surrenders to the dawn
We were born to overcome
We carry on

He stands in the field, cooled by the winds of change
She smiles as her baby moves and it starts to rain