Highway Dust and Tears

[Intro] [110 BPM, twangy electric riff, vintage tube amp growl] [Snare-heavy shuffle, slapback echo] (Oh, lonesome road) (Bring my baby home) [Verse 1] Your coffee cup’s still sitting by the sink With a lipstick moon along the rim I turn it so that stain won’t catch my eye Then turn it back to see your smile again (See your smile again) The screen door kicks whenever that wind blows I lift my head before I think it through These hands can keep a six-string talking all night But couldn’t find a thing to say to you (Not a word to you) [Pre-Chorus] [Close male harmonies, guitar answering each line] Now the jukebox hums where we used to stand And I wear your absence like a wedding band (Like a wedding band) [Chorus] I got a heart that runs on gasoline Burning through the places you have been Four bald tires and a radio Playing every song we used to know (Every song we know) I can wind that needle past ninety-nine But I can’t leave your leaving behind No, I can’t leave your leaving behind (Still right here, still right here) [Verse 2] [Twang riff returns, snare cracks hard] I played the county line last Saturday Your brother came but wouldn’t meet my eyes He left a twenty folded by the stage I played until they brought the house lights high (Bring those house lights high) There’s a little house for rent on Miller Street A crooked porch, a yard gone brown and bare I slowed down like we still might take a look Like you were sitting smiling over there (You’re not over there) [Pre-Chorus] [Raw lead, low harmony rising] I could call you up from some roadside town But I know you’d hear me breaking down (Hear me breaking down) [Chorus] I got a heart that runs on gasoline Burning through the places you have been Four bald tires and a radio Playing every song we used to know (Every song we know) I can wind that needle past ninety-nine But I can’t leave your leaving behind No, I can’t leave your leaving behind (Still right here, still right here) [Bridge] [Half-time feel, tremolo guitar, intimate male harmonies] You said, “Stay home,” and I said, “One more show” You packed so quiet I never heard you go Now every crowd calls out for one more tune And I keep turning like I’ll turn to you (Turn to you) [Extended Guitar Solo] [Low-string rockabilly riff, blazing double-stops] [Soaring country bends, slapback trails, snare driving] (Oh, let it cry) [Unison bends climb, sudden stop, lone resonant note] [Chorus] [Full band, raw lead, soaring male harmonies] I got a heart that runs on gasoline Burning through the places you have been Four bald tires and a radio Playing every song we used to know (Every song we know) I pulled off the highway at the county sign Sat there with your leaving for a while For once I let that engine cool tonight (Still right here, still right here) I can’t leave your leaving behind (Can’t leave it behind) [Outro] [Final guitar solo, aching bends into signature riff] Your coffee cup’s still sitting by the sink I’ll wash it out tomorrow, I think (Tomorrow, I think) [Slapback guitar rings, soft male harmonies] (Oh, lonesome road) [Fade out]