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Damn Near On Empty

from Mileage by Grades Of Absolute Truth

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about

There were several things that didn't go as planned with this album. I attempt to include as many people that are close to me in the albums I work on. We were going for a country-esque vibe with this one. Cody Warren, my cousin, sings and plays around with Texas Country Music. When that didn't go as planned, I got an email from CC Cross (I'm on her email list). Then it hit me that she would be awesome on this song! With the recent release of her album, she couldn't get away long enough to record. We were disappointed, but understood completely. Sooo...I did it! The lyrics I wrote for this song, especially in the lengthy second verse, were a bit more personal than I typically like to get. That verse was the absolute last thing I wrote for the album. It was supposed to be 16 bars and it ended up being 52. I had a lot to get off my chest, as life throws a lot to you at once. When it rains, it pours. I needed to vent, but I also wanted to let people know that regardless of my complaining and venting, I truly feel blessed in many different ways. At least I have a house TO put on alarm on. At least I have a car TO get broken into. At least I have a lady TO worry about. At least I HAVE a job to make me tired. When times get rough, we gotta remember that there's always someone worse off than us. I borrowed and manipulated an old anonymous saying toward the end of the song - "I’ve whined in the past ‘bout the holes in my shoes, ‘til I met a man with no feet, gotta lot more to lose." Another one of my favorite lines in this song is a shout-out to the amazing organization, ArtLoveMagic - "It's imperative that I restore positive habits, create art with love, and watch it blossom into magic." Watch me and three6t the day we were writing this song - musicbygoat.com?p=1024

lyrics

DAMN NEAR ON EMPTY

CHORUS
you ain’t gotta dig too deep to find dirt on me
and if you look real close, you’ll see the mud on my sleeves
I’ve been truckin’ along down this dusty road
singin’ these songs, hopin’ I can get back home,
but I’m damn near on empty

VERSE I
I have a huge problem askin’ other people for help
so I end up tryin’ to take on everything by myself
feel like the world’s against me, hope it’s just in my head
grippin’ the rope of sanity, but hangin’ on by a thread
and if my body is a vehicle for my soul
feel like I can’t make the payments, ‘bout to be repoed
and my tires are worn, interior’s torn
so when my lease is up, I’m afraid that I’ll owe more
that I’m worth and it hurts, could be a curse
so I repel the hella negativity through verse
‘bout outta gas, but I can’t stop
cruisin’ in neutral with the A/C off
sweat’s pourin’ in this Texas heat – could be a flood
made need a pull if I get stuck in the mud
weavin’ in and out of life’s lanes, swervin’ at times
if I get pulled over, sure as hell ain’t walkin’ the line

CHORUS

VERSE II
I usually roll with the punches, but my inspection is out
my engine needs a tune-up, gotta take another route
feelin’ broke down, slowly coastin’ ‘round town
even catch myself complain’ – “your system’s too loud”
I should shut my mouth – feelin’ lost because
I sure as hell ain’t the man that I used to was
’08 was rough – it overflowed to ‘09
to my surprise, multiple medical problems arised
had a headache for 8 months, finally broke down
went to see the doc to get it checked out
probably from stress – maybe from anxiety
did a scan anyways to put my mind at ease
unexpectedly found a lesion on my lobe
referred me to a surgeon, nerves are about to explode
is it AIDS or a tumor – is it plaque from MS?
is it cancer…that’s spread from somewhere else?
MRIs, blood work, co-pays, and consultations
deductibles, yeah, losin’ patience as a patient
not to mention the spinal tap and its side effects
feelin’ like a pin cushion – depressed and stressed
like a tiny pebble popped up, put a crack in my window
my Papa’s at Charlton, so I’m keepin’ it from my kinfolk
pills for the pain, bills pilin’ up
don’t get paid for another month, still won’t have enough
plus paranoia’s gettin’ the best of me
been 2 break-ins in my neighborhood since last week
and the rumor is – one of them ended in sexual assault
ain’t no runnin’ from it, makin’ me sick to my stomach
every time I leave my lady at home alone
havin’ visions of men breakin’ in…and you know
last night both of our cars were broken into
talkin’ to cops is the last thing that I want to do
finally got an alarm installed in the crib
and bought a Sig 9 and some hollow-points to keep by the bed
prayin’ to God I don’t ever have to pull the trigger,
but best believe I will if there’s ever an intruder
haven’t slept well lately – regardless of this
between teaching and the studio, I’m workin’ double-shifts
gotta maintain relationships with family and friends,
but when you’re runnin’ on fumes, you’ve got nothin’ left to give
my loved ones are sayin’ I should see a shrink – wait…
I don’t see the point in that when I can self-medicate
I vent through music to get it off my chest,
but I do realize that I’m blessed…
took a few wrong turns, but that’s how we learn
when you smell the oil burnin’, gotta refuel the furnace
It’s imperative that I restore positive habits
create art with love and watch it blossom into magic
I’ve whined in the past ‘bout the holes in my shoes
‘til I met a man with no feet, gotta lot more to lose
paid my dues – been through plenty
gone from a full tank to damn near on empty

credits

from Mileage, track released November 10, 2009
[Justin Griffith: The Intelligent South (ASCAP), Ricky Cantrell: The Intelligent South (ASCAP)]

Vocals Written & Performed by GOAT
Music Written & Performed by GOAT & three6t
Bass Guitar: Erech Brookins
Drums: RyanGruss.com

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