The authors of the following songs give me inspiration and hope. These songs are impossible to find on iTunes or CD. The only reason I am able to listen to them today is because I recorded them from vinyl to cassette tape, cassette tape to CD, and CD to MP3 player. I love both of these songs; they are definitely in my top 10 favorites list. So I’m thinking if there is someone out there someday who loves something I’ve written so much they go to such extremes to preserve it, I will consider myself a successful writer. And so I am inspired to keep writing.
OLD FRIENDS:
It’s like when you’re making conversation and you’re trying not to scream and you’re trying not to tell them that you don’t care what they mean. And you’re really feeling fragile and you really can’t get home and you really feel abandoned but you want to be alone. Old friends, they shine like diamonds. Old friends, you can always call. Old friends, Lord, you can’t buy ‘em. It’s old friends after all; old friends after all.
When the house is empty and the light begins to fade and there’s nothing to protect you except the window shade. And it’s hard to put your finger on the thing that scares you most and you can’t tell the difference between an angel and a ghost. Old friends, they shine like diamonds. Old friends, you can always call. Old friends, Lord, you can’t buy ‘em. It’s old friends after all; old friends after all. Yeah.
Written by Guy Clark & Richard Dobson, Performed by Lacy J. Dalton
SHE’S OUT THERE DANCIN’ ALONE:
The lights are turned low, she stands all alone on the floor. She’s had too much beer and her mind’s not too clear anymore. She throws back her head; she’s sure she heard, “I’ll take you home.” But while the band starts in playing, she’s out there dancin’ alone. She comes in on weekends and sits in a booth by the band. She’s got a favorite; she wonders will they play it again. Some whisper she’s crazy but tonight, she’s sure that he’ll come. But when the band starts in playing, she’s out there dancing alone. She smiles and holds out her arms like there’s somebody there. She closes her eyes when they laugh and when they stare; she doesn’t care. Now the band’s packin’ up and the bartender’s sweepin’ the floor. He says, “It’s past two” and soon he’ll be lockin’ the door. But she’s still smilin’ waitin’ in a world of her own. They all watch for a moment; she’s out there dancin’ alone. Yes, she’s out there dancin’ alone.
Written by Geoffrey Morgan, Performed by Barbara Mandrell
