1. |
Counting Backwards
03:48
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Lyrics:
I really love this town. I really love this town. It’s got gardens and sidewalks and gas lamps for night walks. I really love this town. I really love this town. It’s got park and trees and a warm summer breeze. You said we’d leave. Yeah, you promised we’d leave.
And “One Day” - it got away - a runway - to today. Hooray, hooray, hooray, hooray!
I really love this town. I really love this town. But the air here is heavy; the silence is steady. I really love this town. I really love this town. But I wake up and can’t breathe; I dream that I’m drowning. You said we’d leave. Yeah, you promised we’d leave.
And shopping lists - and shopping malls - framed photographs – yeah, they line these halls. Hooray, hooray, hooray, hooray!
And on windless nights
When the kids are asleep
And you’re watching TV
I take my glass of wine
To the black, back deck
And count backwards from three … two … one.
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2. |
Canyons
04:06
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Lyrics:
It must have been a dream I had.
We were swimming in the lake – you were laying in the sand.
It must have been a whisper in my head.
I held your body underwater – I held your heart in my hand.
The sun it stood still in the sky.
Oh, the clouds were changing shape – a moment passed us by.
The wind it changed direction in the night.
There was an echo up the canyon – something alive had died.
And I don’t see you anymore.
I could taste the rain in the air.
Water pooled by the highway – moonlight painted your hair.
The words you spoke were soft and unclear.
Oh, a vapor filled the forest – you just disappeared.
And I don’t see you anymore.
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3. |
Crooked (and Broken)
03:35
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Lyrics:
At a traffic light with a thousand-yard stare - the glare of the early morning sun in my eyes. It was a golden mirage, but because of the vision - I bought into the fiction and now I sell the whitest of lies.
The promise of potential, like a brick in your satchel - weighing down every dream you dreamt. Just like a fading picture, these long-forgotten whispers - this taste of failure and regret.
Always dress the part, life on the dotted line - It’s a grind, it’s a hill, you were born to climb. What an empty charade, hey, we all have misgivings - but this clock keeps on ticking, and I’m running out of time.
The promise of potential, like a brick in your satchel - weighing down every dream you dreamt. Just like a fading picture, these long-forgotten whispers - this taste of failure and regret.
We are crooked. We are broken. We are searching and we know it. We are crooked. We are broken. We keep hoping against hope, yeah!
The promise of potential, like a brick in your satchel - weighing down every dream you dreamt. We’re all going nowhere, stuck in a terrible nightmare - just remember that we are all crooked… and broken.
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4. |
Broadcast on Your Behalf
04:14
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Lyrics:
Lay down, the rain sounds a telegraphed, “Sleep now,” broadcast on your behalf. With your head on my shoulders, we let go the reins.
Wake up, startled to see the sun; make love, to the sound of a starting gun. So swift and so sudden and barely restrained.
And all of my days and all of my nights - I searched for your face through these city lights.
Eyes blue, like prayers for the penitent rescue and shine oh-so salient. Like light through a prism, you won’t be contained.
Lips red, tender and trembling kisses, punch-drunk and cinnamon. I’d fast for forever if you’d keep me sustained.
And all of my days and all of my nights - I searched for your face through these city lights.
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5. |
Appalachian, Part II
03:29
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Lyrics:
This well runs dark and cold. And everything’s moving fast, everything’s out of control. So won’t you head back to your side of the hill? I got holes in my head too deep to fill. The sky is turning gray. And darling I pinned you down, ‘cause I need you to stay. So won’t you lay down in the dirt, in the leaves? I want to bury your bones beneath the trees.
Shadows never seen, they are calling out. Silence in between, it suddenly shouts. Shaking in your bones, your breath atones, and it goes out.
And I’ll move on, resign myself to singing this sad song. Will you please think of me?
As you turn away, all gray eyes and all the darkest days. Will you please think of me?
Shadows never seen, they are calling out. Silence in between, it suddenly shouts. Shaking in your bones, your breath atones, and it goes out!
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6. |
Missing Elderly
05:28
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Lyrics:
And I guess you’d like to know why I took to the road. You’d think after eighty-seven years I’d of earned this Sunday drive.
Headed south on 45, I guess dead is the new alive. And I ain’t sure about the afterlife, so I cling and I hold on tight.
Now I pray that I’ve caught God’s eye. I never knew if He was on my side. I need to rest these broken bones. I’m afraid that I am all-alone.
Lost every friend I used to know. I hear their voices when the wind it blows. I see the leaves shake in the trees. These old pictures, they are not me.
I told of none of you any of this.
I’m gonna keep this pedal down
Keep my hands at ten and two
I’m gonna drive on into the night
‘til dawn paints the sky a golden hue
I just need to put my feet in the water
Under the cold December sun.
One last time I’ll be connected
To everything and everyone
To everything and everyone
I told none of you … any … of this.
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Instant Empire Denver, Colorado
Indie rock.
Storytellers.
Chroniclers of the human condition.
Instant Empire recommends:
We All Want The Same Things
by Craig Finn
Craig Finn is our favorite living songwriter. This album is devastating. Perfect lyrics, full of characters and stories you can relate to and beautifully arranged.
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Teens Of Denial
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No one writes long songs as well as Car Seat Headrest. This album includes their best work to-date. An album you can get lost in.
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one hand on the steering wheel the other sewing a garden
by Ada Lea
Beautiful songs, nuanced lyrics and intricate arrangements. We are loving this album.
go to albumIf you like Instant Empire, you may also like:
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Frantic Semantic EP
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