A strangely upbeat melody accompanies a wry lyric about a man's search for 'grief relief'. His quirky musings conclude with the sad revelation that prompted his search for the 'exit' door.
Acoustic vocals w/ guitar
An event.
An emotion.
An image.
A memory.
A word or a phrase.
Inspiration can be powerful and fleeting, or subtle yet ceaselessly haunting.
Christopher Caldwell's compositions reveal him as he searches his soul while at the same time nourishing it.
Story behind the song
Sometimes we expect too much from others. Other times, we demand too little from ourselves. Too often, we do both. That's when a cauldron of fiery emotions can become distilled into a witch's brew of dark thoughts and foolish impulses. On the road for my job, with the harsh and angry words that we hurled at each other still echoing in my ears, I wasn't sure if I should, would or could ever return to my house. So I thought about a way to go home.
Lyrics
Everything But Me
Hello Kenworth. Or is it Mack?
Can't read the nameplate. The night's so black.
No moon to howl to. And there's not one damn thing to lose.
To be or not to. What will I choose?
Bring it on you tractor-trailer. Just put your hammer down.
My rosy cheeks grow paler, now, as all my sorrows drown.
Your headlights make my eyes go blind.
The gears and axles screech and grind.
Beneath your eighteen wheels I'll find a way to leave this town.
Hey, Otis Campbell! Hey, Foster Brooks!
You swervin' my way? That's how it looks.
My only lover claims lovin' me's too much to bear.
I can't recover what wasn’t there.
Cross that line you midnight weaver before I change my mind.
Turns out I can't believe her. She was only being kind.
Throw back that beer so you can't see
and let your next drink be on me.
To hell with you! I'll wrap a tree and leave this world behind.
Each time I go out on the road I'm hopin' I'll be missed.
But last night when we said goodbye I wasn't even kissed.
Theres' never been another man who loves her more than I.
There’s no way I can forget her.
I’m sure she’ll do much better
if I simply let her spread her wings and fly.
Hey there, Amtrak, you silver streak.
You're right on schedule. My future's bleak.
I bought insurance. Not one more penny will I spend
'cause my endurance has reached its end.
Blow your horn, you mighty engine. Let's see what you can do.
Did I forget to mention that my travelin' days are through?
I've finally got my life "on track".
I'll ride the rails and not come back.
Hell, I don't even have to pack. And she can start anew.
She hasn't loved me since the day we wed.
With pity in her voice, that's what she said.
She might love me some if I'd become her hollow fantasy.
Well, go ahead and fantasize.
But love like that is built on lies.
And when I look into her eyes
I see everything but me.
