COWBOYS DON’T DRIVE MINIVANS

Standing on the dealer’s lot, I came to understand
that the vehicle you drive can define the man
there’s a blue pickup truck, a stallion on wheels
but my wife likes the minivan, stating family appeal

Then she just frowned and gave my ribs a jab
as the our kids piled up into the extended cab
I said now honey, it’s not such a compromise
on the way to the mall, you’ll be riding up high

(chorus)
I work 9 to 5, just to survive, so let me find piece of mind with a 4 wheel drive
I’m a simple man with a simple plan and everyone knows cowboys don’t drive minivans
if you know what I mean, just raise your hand, ’cause everyone knows cowboys don’t drive minivans

Eight cylinders of freedom are beneath the hood
the chrome exhaust looks and sounds good
our kids went thumbs up after the test drive
as I told my wife the color matches her eyes

(repeat chorus)

So we left the lot, looking hot in our new truck
and wherever we go, we’ll never get stuck
my wife looked over and just rolled her eyes
she said I know I married one cowboy of a guy

(repeat chorus)

(Bridge idea)- You can’t have a tailgate party without a tailgate to drop
and when you leave the paved road, the fun never stops
so whether you cruise downtown or cross the badlands
cowboys just don;t drive minivans

(repeat chorus)

 

THIS GIRLS’ GONNA CHANGE HER ZIP CODE
My heart has made a decision
it’s well past time to go
I can’t tell a rut from a grave
by settling for the status quo

I’m down to my last dream
can’t live with anything less
so a true change of heart
includes a change of address

(chorus)
There’s a new life waiting somewhere down the road
so look out, this girls’ gonna change her zip code
I’m not gonna watch castles of sand erode
so look out, this girls’ gonna change her zip code
dropping the baggage and all I’ve been told
this girls’ gonna change her zip code
following my heart, gonna see it through
this girls’ gonna change her zip code and her perfume too

Tomorrow’s promises too soon
become just last years lies
and the gossip gets so thick
it can blacken the skies

All the guys in this town
have a one track mind
which has been derailed
there’s better I can find

(repeat chorus)

(Bridge Idea)
Summers coming to an end, soon it will be fall
but by the time the leaves turn brown, I won’t be around
for I’m saying goodbye, goodbye to nothing at all

(repeat chorus)

(Alternate Ideas)
The good ones leave too soon
the bad ones stay too long
between the games and the blame
it’s tough to remain strong

It’s not just wanting more
I want life to make sense
to find a priceless love
but not at my own expense

In your heart you know me
it’s not easy for me to say
I stayed here for a reason
but that reason has gone away

 

I STOPPED DATING LOSERS TODAY
You think you’re Mister Wonderful
you think you’re quite a catch
but you show up two hours late
wearing socks that don’t match

You promise me a romantic dinner
someplace upscale, someplace new
but we end up with just a six pack
and fast food from the drive thru

(chorus)
So save your advances, you’re out of second chances
be on your way
’cause I stopped dating losers today
enjoy the silence, there’s nothing left to say
’cause I stopped dating losers today
this is a game I’m no longer going to play
’cause I stopped dating losers today

You tell me that you love me
you’ll be faithful forever more
then I found another girl’s lipstick
rolling around your truck’s floor

When you come over to see me
you only ask what’s on cable
as you put your muddy boots
up on my new coffee table

(repeat chorus)

(bridge idea)
So don’t act so offended ’cause my parents called you a slob
you spent the day playing video games instead of looking for a job

(repeat chorus)

 

 

TOMORROW BELONGS TO US
(a lyric for anyone whose spouse is in a brave battle with cancer)

Life can change in a moment
with news so unexpected
as hope seems so far away
with the smallest smile rejected

Pause, reflect and breathe
we never faced this before
the doctor laid out the options
so we will fight to be restored

(chorus)
Tomorrow belongs to us, our eyes will meet again
tomorrow belongs to us, in our hearts we can trust
this maybe the new normal, we’ll carry on and adjust
but our eyes will meet again for tomorrow belongs to us

I’ll carry you forward
one small step at a time
faith will keep sorrow at bay
while we start this climb

If everything we ever shared
was written down in a book
it would inspire so much more
than one quick glance or look

(repeat chorus)

(bridge idea)
What matters most in life has rewritten our entire list
from this moment on, there’s nothing to be missed

(repeat chorus)

(alternate ideas for verses or bridge)
Life isn’t what it used to be but in my heart I trust
tomorrow still belongs to us
what I feel for you will never stop
our love can be ruled by calendars and clocks

Though every step we take may feel like a mile
all you need to know is I’m here with you and it’s still OK to smile
you may feel tired and uninspired like a lost little child
but I’m here with you and it’s still OK to smile

As you go through the treatments
I’ll be there to hold you hand
and alone I’ll pray for strength
to keep on doing the best I can

I may not cry in front of you
but alone the tears do flow
you’re my reason for living
and I’ll never let you go

Cancer won’t define you
or break your spirit down
through treatments and trials
hope can still be found
the treatments will be tough
but each is a stepping stone
on the long path to healing
just know that you’re not alone
We will survive this together, we will survive this together

 

 

I HATE MY JOB BUT I NEED MONEY FOR BEER
Wake up, jump into the shower
got to finish up my forty hours
going in early or staying late
this job to tough to tolerate
I do an honest days work
but my boss is just a jerk
he thinks his jokes are funny
his ego only dreams about money

(chorus)
Someday I’ll punch the clock with my fist, yes this is a job that I’ll never miss
Someday I’ll get out of here
I hate my job but I need money for beer
hope to be moving on by this time next year
yes, I hate my job but I need money for beer
the paycheck keeps me coming back so I can buy a cold one on tap
but the situation is clear, I hate my job but I need money for beer

Boss stares at all the girls butts
wishes he could pinch and touch
forgets the woman that he wed
as he adjusts the rug on his head
Christmas bonus didn’t go too far
about a half a tank for my car
you never hear a word of praise
so don’t hold your breath for a raise

(repeat chorus)

(bridge idea)
I’ve never been employee of the month with that special parking spot
never kissed ass to look good, self respect is what I’ve got

(repeat chorus)

(alternate ideas for verses or bridge)
Coffee tastes like kerosene
lunchroom’s the worst I’ve ever seen
the snacks are stale, the room smells
is this a factory or just living hell

Boss says we’re one big family
our success is right on course
well, if this is one big family
I’d rather have a divorce

There’s motivational posters
that should serve to inspire
so I took a few home
to help light the grill on fire

I’ve never been employee of the month and got to use that special parking spot
I don’t need to play that game, self respect is what I’ve got
so I come to life at quitting time ’cause playing pool and drinking beer suits me fine

You can play it slick and call in sick but you’re only off for a day
I need money for beer so for now I’ll stay
someday I’ll put in my notice and be on my way out of here
but at this time my only crime is I hate my job but I need money for beer

 

 

*
SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD
You’ve seen my child and I in the store and at the park
but you only see the surface, not what’s in our hearts

Yes, my child acts different and learns at a slower pace
sometimes just life’s basics are a challenge we face

(chorus)
Many times I’ve gone the extra mile for I am the parent of a special needs child
you can stare or pretend we’re not there, or perhaps just nod and smile
my life is not like yours, I’m the parent of a special needs child
yes, this is something that just won’t go away after a while
I’m going the distance for I’m the parent of a special needs child

My child is not a statistic, my child does have a name
my child laughs and cries, as people you are the same

Embrace some compassion for our day to day trials
we could use the support along with a kind smile

(Repeat chorus)

(bridge idea)
I only wants what’s best for my child, understanding is what we need
along with the resources and encouragement to help my child succeed
(repeat chorus)

(alternate ideas)
As a 24 hour caregiver the word normal can slip away
but my spirit stays strong till the end of the day

I’m not looking to catch a rainbow or find a new mountain to climb
I only ask for acceptance for this special needs child of mine

Sometimes I.m tired and feel uninspired
but someone I love needs me to be at the top of my game
for I’m here to share love, teach, protect and entertain

My child’s skills are different but everyone’s heart is the same
don’t judge special needs children as mistakes or statistics
these children could be your friend and, yes, they do have names

 

YOU ARE MY STRENGTH
I’ve been caught in circumstances, often with unseen danger
sometimes the world can be just a crowded room of strangers

Hope can be n short supply and border on feeling defeated
when my goals are overdue and I feel so uncompleted

(chorus)
You are here, you are my strength like an angel in disguise
when the horizon turns grey, the light is in your eyes
you are my strength, the one on who I can depend
you are my strength, so much more than a friend
you are here and you are my strength

Your words of comfort, I now have memorized
I can hear you say them when I close my eyes

Your heart and patience is my solid cornerstone
in those moments I didn’t want to face alone

(repeat chorus)
(bridge idea)
They say the people you can depend on in life, you can count on one hand
with all I’ve been through with support from you, now I understand
I must confess at time my mistakes made a mess
but you know I didn’t mean to do it
for you know me by heart and you see right through it
(repeat chorus)

(Alternate ideas)
There’s surprises in life no one can control
at times you stumble searching your soul

Although at times my gratitude isn’t showing
please know that it’s you that keeps me going

Life can seem like a race where you can’t measure the length
but I can go the distance with you, you are my strength

 

 

DID YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR
You called me inconsiderate, so I called you a jerk
and now for the past month, I’ve been walking to work
My friends tried to warn me, you are hard to please
now I’ve got the cold shoulder without any anti-freeze

(chorus)
I thought we could make it work and our love could go far
I can accept a broken heart but did you have to take the car
I promised you I’d always be there, I even paid for the car’s repairs
I’m staring at my reflection in every direction on a road with fresh tar
Yes, I can accept a broken heart but did you have to take the car,
did you really have to take the car

I can still hear echoes of the words you used to say
until I wake up to face an empty, deserted driveway
for your love I was willing to do whatever it takes
but then your heart just locked up the brakes

(bridge idea)- Do you know how it feels to be without wheels
do you know how it feels to be without wheels
walking down and around, wearing down your boot heels
do you know how it feels to be without wheels

(repeat chorus)

I know you’ve been out having lots of thrills
cause the mailbox is full of your credit card bills
but consider coming back, we can make it good
I might even propose while sitting on the hood
(repeat chorus)

 

 

LET THE HEALING BEGIN
Different places, faces and names
yet all bear the same degree of pain
so senseless, such a lack of remorse
how did one’s life get so off course

For those who are left behind
what hope and future can they find
for we all lost part of ourselves
with no repair kit on the shelf

(chorus)
Everything changes yet everything remains the same
as hindsight looks to place the blame
so let the healing begin, with one light in the dark
let the healing begin, each one of us needs to start
let the healing begin, let the healing begin

The numbness comes and goes
with what fears needs to show
but tomorrow has yet to declare
that we’re going on being scared

(bridge idea)
Time heals all wounds is what we’ve been told but it sounds like a recipe for growing old
but the myth has been shattered for what you do with that time is what matters
if there’s a God of second chances then the ground we’ve gained isn’t gone
beyond survivor’s guilt, there’s a future to be built and we owe it to them to carry on
in the shadows of the angels who know what we’ve been through
in the shadows of the angels, I’ll be there for you

Let us not be so distracted
by the noise heard on the news
healing begins one to one
as the tears break through

(repeat chorus)