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Best Of​.​.​.​.​So Far

by Alan Lee & the Whiskey Bumps

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1.
Big Hair 02:09
CHORUS Big hair / folks stop and stare. Big hair / you don’t seem to care. Big hair / you’re so doggone fine. Big hair baby won’t you be mine. You keep actin’ so aloof. While your hairspray bill climbs through the roof. My love’s growin’ more and more. Now it’s as big as my pompadour. CHORUS All you ever do is flirt. In that tight white sweater and poodle skirt. Let me love you, I know I can. Just watch out for my ceiling fan. CHORUS Let me prove my love is true. Etch your name on my tattoo. It’s O.K./ go tease your hair. But teasin’ me is just not fair. CHORUS
2.
Ever since I was young I’ve been a house afire. Everything I ever did has been a walk on a tightrope wire. Nobody could hold me back they finally gave up tryin’. They tried to sell me the American Dream but baby I wasn’t buyin’. One day my mama sat me down and said “Son I’m through.” “You’ve reached critical mass, I’m tired of watchin’ your ass for you.” “I’m tired of hearin’ ‘bout all of your messin’ around.” “You’re over eighteen, so I’m not legally bound.” CHORUS: Get up. Get outta this house. Pack your things and go. Get up. Get outta this house. Don’t wanna see your face no more. I’m cuttin’ you outta my will today. Don’t wanna hear your name until I pass away. Get up. Get out. Get outta this house. I went to my daddy and the old man said to me. “I had a talk with your mama and this is how it’s gonna be.” “Well you wrecked the car and I even caught you stealin’ my money” “You’re probably havin’ a ball but baby I don’t think it’s so funny.” (CHORUS)
3.
Live Fast 04:12
CHORUS: I was gonna live fast / I was gonna die young I was gonna leave / a rockin’ memory Then you turn around and look one day And find your hair is turnin’ gray And realize your youth has slipped away Some news came down last night I just couldn’t understand Old Faron Young had bit the dust / struck down by his own hand. Was it failin’ health, loss of wealth / Or the price of fleeting fame. Or maybe livin’ down in Branson / can drive a man insane It made me think ‘bout how I thought when I was just a kid Figured I would go in a ball of fire / Just the way that James Dean did. But like the sand through an hourglass / Time can slip right through your hand And the best laid schemes of mice and men / Don’t turn out the way you planned The way you planned REPEAT CHORUS When I was young I watched my daddy turn his life around As he gained strength from the simple truths / That throughout his life he found But deep inside my soul I felt that there was more to find And when I died you’d marvel at / all the things I’d left behind I’d left behind REPEAT CHORUS GUITAR SOLO OVER VERSE CHORDS Yeah I thought I’d be bigger than old Elvis ever could And if there were greater things to be / Thought I’d be the man who would. Now I got a house, a dog, a child and a sweet and lovin’ wife. But compared to where I thought I’d be / It’s like someone else’s life Someone else’s life REPEAT CHORUS TAG: Yeah / your youth has slipped away Yeah / your youth has slipped away
4.
Murphy's Law 03:54
You always tried to get me/ to be your lovin’ man But wedding vows and marriage/ weren’t in my future plans When I finally warmed up to the idea/ you went walkin’ out that door I guess what can go wrong will go wrong Just chalk it up to Murphy’s Law I quit my old position/ to take a better job Before I left I told my boss I thought he was a slob My new company then went bankrupt/ They’re not in business anymore I guess what can go wrong will go wrong Just chalk it up to Murphy’s Law I used to be a rascal/ I would cheat and womanize Then I finally found myself a girl/ I adored and idolized Caught sleepin’ with my best friend/ You know it hurt me to the core I guess what goes ‘round comes around Just chalk it up to Murphy’s Law Well I finally bought myself a house/ It had always been my dream One month later Mississippi floods/ took my dream house way downstream ‘Spose you never really can predict/ just what fate has got in store I guess what can go wrong will go wrong (Happens all the time) What can go wrong will go wrong (Ain’t got no reason or no rhyme) I guess what can go wrong will go wrong Just chalk it up to Murphy’s Law
5.
CHORUS Puttin’ up with you has really got me down. You’re coolin’ off my love for you while you’re burnin’ up this town. I’ve really had enough. I’m walkin’ out that door. I ain’t puttin’ up with you anymore. I put up with the way you flirt / when we’re out publicly. I put up with the way you dress / and your indecency. CHORUS I put up with your drinkin’ / and stayin’ out all night. And how you mention other guys / when we turn out the light. CHORUS You’re well known in every honky tonk / around this town. They know me too / when I walk in / they say “Here comes her clown”. CHORUS
6.
We’ve been spendin’ time / nearly every single day And just when it comes time to leave / I start thinkin’ I should stay. At school we’ve been an item / for 40 days or more. So it’s getting’ time that I showed you the score. On that first day I saw you / dancin’ out there on the floor. Baby you looked sweet / reet petite My heart fell through the floor. I don’t need no anniversary / no special holiday. To tell you all the things I wanna say. CHORUS: I got a heart shaped box that’s filled with somethin’ sweet. I bought French perfume / the kind you wear That knocks me off my feet. And that golden ring / with a shiny stone That’ll tell them all you’re mine. Baby won’t you let me be your Rockabilly Valentine SOLOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On weekends we’d go drivin’ / In your rose pink Cadillac. We’d park it at the drive-in / and then we’d hop in back. Your friends at school say “You’re a fool” That I’ll lead you astray. But you’ll be laughin’ on your weddin’ day. CHORUS: I got a heart shaped box that’s filled with somethin’ sweet. I bought French perfume / the kind you wear That knocks me off my feet. And that golden ring / with a shiny stone That’ll tell them all you’re mine. Baby won’t you let me be your Rockabilly Valentine I said baby won’t you let me be your Rockabilly Valentine I said baby won’t you let me be your Rockabilly Valentine
7.
She sits in her room, in the dark, and stares at the wall. And listens to all of his ranting outside in the hall. She prays today will be different, that he won’t come inside. And wishes she knew of a place where she could run and hide. CHORUS This thing that’s been happenin’, been happenin’ for years. When she thinks about it, gotta hold back her tears. She knows that it’s wrong ‘cause it doesn’t feel right. Gotta keep it together. Same thing’s gonna happen tonight. She thinks back to her childhood when she didn’t feel quite so much pain. After all, didn’t everyone’s family act just the same. She had always tried to be a good girl, do what she was told. Even though she was still in her teens she felt tired and old. CHORUS BRIDGE He’s screamin’ ‘bout how he’s provided for her in every way he possibly could. And when he is finished, he breaks down and cries and tells her it’s for her own good. She’s been tryin’ so hard all her life for his love and respect. But the things that he does to her, even her ma don’t suspect. And sometimes when she starts to think things will turn out alright. Obsession takes hold. Comes sneakin’ around in the night. CHORUS
8.
So Far 04:13
When I was young. / I never thought much of married life. So when love reared its ugly head. / I’d make sure I steered clear. Then I got stung / and asked you to be my wife. Since we’ve been wed I’ve learned just one thing. You can’t believe all you hear. CHORUS So far / we ain’t had a fight. So far / we make love each night. So far / I’ve got everything I wished for on that star. So far / I’ve never lied to you. So far / I’ve always been true. And I must admit / love ain’t been so bad so far. You didn’t yell / when I came home late and didn’t phone. Though you could see that I’d had a few / you said you understood. No raisin’ hell / over leavin’ you home alone. My friends tell me that things will change. I don’t see why they should. CHORUS Your tender kiss / still sends chills up and down my spine. This has lasted much longer than / my affairs in the past. Our wedded bliss / it’ll age like a fine French wine. Though we’ve been married for just one week / I think it’s gonna last. / Why? CHORUS
9.
It started off shakey/ when the first week he knew her Her ex-lover went and poured tar on his hood His suspicions were sneaky/ that something seemed wrong here And knowin’ her/ could only lead to no good But he’d been lonely so long/ without human contact That he turned a blind eye/ to her little quirks And the weirdness that followed/ he casually blew off Tellin’ himself/ “when it works, it works” CHORUS No you can’t take a sow’s ear Make it into a silk purse To me it seems too clear So sad/ to watch bad love get worse It got a bit scary/ when they’d go out drinkin’ The booze would start talkin’/ and somethi’ would snap A few Bloody Mary’s/ became a few bloody noses ‘Til he got tired/ of puttin’ up with her crap ‘Cause every pretty young thing/ that flew into her radar Brought out the green monster/ that lay hidden inside And though he truly loved her/ with each confrontation Little by little/ the passion up and died CHORUS BRIDGE: And his mama/ could only look concerned With every bruise and black eye that he “earned’ It’s a hard, hard lesson/ he soon learned If you jump into a ragin’ fire/ you’re likely to be burned GUITAR SOLO It turned pretty deadly/ one night after dinner When she pulled out the pistol/ she’d bought early that day Though he’d argue/ then plead/ that no one else existed She said “I’m no fool/ Someone’s gonna pay’ CHORUS
10.
As I stood among the gravestones/ Mojo clutched into my fist Hellhounds howled in the distance/ Lonesome sound I can’t resist I got a funny feelin’/ Chilled me right down to the bone Though I didn’t see nobody/ knew I wasn’t there alone Bolt the door/ check the locks Something wicked this way rocks Something wicked this way rocks Full moon shone a little brighter/ Smell of sulfur filled the air And then suddenly I saw her/ Burnin’ eyes/ Silent stare The stranger beckoned to me/ as the stroke of midnight neared Fear welled up inside me/ the gates of Hell appeared Bolt the door/ check the locks Something wicked this way rocks Something wicked this way rocks BRIDGE When you were young/ they tried to tell you The shadows you saw were just things in your head But what if they’re wrong/ and you’re right/ and they’re out there And there is something under your bed GUITAR SOLO (over verse) Paint some hex signs on the doorway Scatter potions to the wind Mumble ancient incantations/ Say a prayer for those who’ve sinned Don’t fear for my salvation/ the time for that has passed You must face the realization/ the die’s already cast Bolt the door/ check the locks Something wicked this way rocks Something wicked this way rocks Something wicked this way rocks Something wicked Something wicked Something wicked
11.
When I was young/ I swam the sea/ from here over to France. But before I left/ I had to teach/ the Rockettes how to dance. Then from France/ I went to England/ for a holiday. And there I spent some time/ teachin’ the Beatles how to play. Then in Tibet I climbed/ highest mountain ever made. It was lots more fun/ than wrestlin’ gators/ in the Everglades. Then for a laugh I flew/ a rocket ship up to the moon. But I couldn’t stay ‘cause I missed your mom/ and said I’d be back soon. CHORUS All these grand adventures/ sure they were lots of fun. But they’re not half as wonderful/ as knowin’ you’re my son. Lookin’ back on all those times/ I’ve just got to tell you kid. You may be the greatest thing/ your daddy ever did. You know that rainbow that we saw?/ Well that idea was mine. But I said God could use it/ ‘cause he thought it looked so fine. And in exchange for rainbows/ God gave you to mom and me. We got the good end of the deal/ as far as I can see. CHORUS
12.
Today I celebrate our anniversary. It’s been two long years since you walked out on me. Our love affair lasted but a year or two. And since we split up I ain’t set eyes on you. So I think it’s finally time that I got past it. I shouldn’t be grievin’ longer than the whole thing lasted. CHORUS Gonna give up thinkin’ ‘bout you. It’s been too damn long for me to feel this blue. I can think of a million other things to do. Than to cry and moan/ Home alone Sittin’ starin’ at the phone. I know just what I’ll do / Find somebody new Maybe that’ll help me stop thinkin’ ‘bout you. To please you baby, I gave up every vice. Like drinkin’, smokin’, cussin’, shootin’ dice. I didn’t mind that much ‘cause I had Y.O.U. Now there’s nothin’ left since the day you said we’re through. I think it’s time I started havin’ fun. And this town won’t ever be the same when I get done. CHORUS When we fell in love, I threw away my little black book. If a pretty girl walked by I wouldn’t even look. Since you left, I haven’t dated much. And my friends keep tellin’ me that I’ve lost my touch. Well I think it’s time that I got back in action. Life ain’t worth livin’ without a little satisfaction. CHORUS
13.
This Train 03:47
Well you think you got me sewn up tight. You think I’ll never see the light. And if I catch you sneaking ‘round like an alley cat in heat. You think I’ll up and take you back. CHORUS 1 I’m tired of all your lies. / Your stories and your alibis. I know it ain’t no use. / I’m bustin’ loose. This train’s / ‘bout to jump your track. Well you think that you can flirt with guys. And that I won’t realize. And when you come home stinkin’ drunk, smellin’ of another man. You think that I won’t know that fact. CHORUS 2 I’m tired of your cheatin’ game. Way you treat me is a cryin’ shame. I know it ain’t no use. / I’m bustin’ loose. This train’s / ‘bout to jump your track. BRIDGE Maybe I might shed a tear. / Maybe even two. After all I used to love you so. But I can’t let “old used to be’s” / keep me from getting’ over you. So I’ll put on my travellin’ shoes and go. Well you think that you can stay out late. And I’ll sit at home and wait. But I’ve been contemplatin’ all the things I’m gonna do. It’s too late, I won’t take you back. REPEAT CHORUS 2
14.
Well it’s been a week since I drove down, down here to this border town alone. And for a while I spent the time in my room sittin’, starin’ at the phone. If I’m ever gonna be a man again, I’ve got to take a stand And try to get your memory off my mind. That’s why you’ll find me here tonight. Drinkin’ by the neon light. In the arms of any dark haired beauty I can find. CHORUS: Where’s my bottle of Mezcal? And that pretty little Mexican gal. I want to drink to love that’s true. Not the kind I found with you. We’ll sing of how our love went wrong. I’ll have the mariachis play another song. They’ll strum a melancholy tune. In this tiny Tijuana saloon. I’ll escape inside a bottle and the desert winds will dry the tears I cry. And I’ll let the senoritas flirt, though I know all they tell me is a lie. I never thought I’d make it through. Just thinking of you made me blue. I think I found a way to keep from thinkin’. With a shot glass and a country song, figure it won’t take too long. ‘Bout a half an hour after I start in a drinkin’ (CHORUS) (REPEAT CHORUS)
15.
Top Shelf 03:16
Well Banger and me / were talkin’ and drinkin’. Sittin’ on our barstools / started into thinkin’. Why I asked my girl to be my wife. He said, “What makes her so special son?” “Why is she the only one with whom you’d wanna spend your whole damn life?” I was searchin’ for a metaphor. / One that ain’t been used before. ‘Til I looked around that smoky barroom / and at those swingin’ doors. CHORUS My baby she’s top shelf / V.S.O.P. Lordy what that woman is doin’ to me Black label / Special reserve. She gives me more lovin’ than I deserve. I recommend her vintage / she’s aged so fine. I thank the stars above that she is mine. and that I got her all to myself. ‘Cause she’s top shelf. / My baby she’s tops. I’m gonna hold on tight to what I got ‘cause her sweet love is like a double shot. Straight up / I’m gonna chase her ‘til she’s mine. A heady mix of brains and looks. She don’t simply smoke / she cooks. Classy like a French imported wine. When she serves her homemade special brew. Makes me dizzy from a taste or two. Her lips so tender / like a month long bender. What am I supposed to do? CHORUS REPEAT CHORUS
16.
Vitamin T 03:30
Chorus: I’ve got a shot of Vitamin Washed down with some salt and Vitamin C Dr. Bartender says this might make me well Since baby ran off with my Vitamin L In this modern world we live in/ Medicine’s made many gains They can mend broken bones/ zap kidney stone/ Relieve your headache pains But one pain they had no cure for/ is the pain of a broken heart But through this swingin’ door lies a miracle cure or at least one hell of a start. CHORUS My baby knew just what I needed/ and gave me a dose a day ‘Til I caught her makin’ a housecall to my neighbor across the way But I was addicted to what she dispenses So I’m doin’ shot after shot. Buildin’ up my defenses/ to this malady I’ve got. CHORUS Bridge: Just a taste of this desert elixir from south of the border Works better than anything else a doctor could order. My buddy’s they gathered around me and toasted me one last time. “Let’s drink to our hopeless romantic one more heart cut down in it’s prime.” But just when I’d hit rock bottom/ And those neon lights grew dim. I was saved by a pretty young shot girl/ who filled it up to the brim. CHORUS
17.
Ever since the day you told me that you didn’t care. I realized I’m lovin’ in a one sided love affair. Do I keep hangin’ on just like a fool, fool, fool? While all you do is seem to treat this true heart cruel. One night with you can turn my gold moon blue. And all I keep thinkin’ is, “What would Elvis do?” Well, my baby left me for her latest flame, so hot. You’re right, I’m left, she’s gone but not forgot. Guess I’ll be headin’ back to Memphis, Tennessee. Cause she is only T-R-O-U-B-L-E. But I still got this burnin’ love so true. And all I keep thinkin’ is, “What would Elvis do?” Would he sit around Heartbreak Hotel? Lovin’ you tender/ Lovin’ you true. Would he have you returned to sender? Before he let himself get stuck on you. I’ve been tryin’ to get to you but mama that’s alright. I want you, need you, love you more than just one night. Gonna sit right down and cry over you. But what I can’t help thinkin’ is, “What would Elvis do?” And all I keep thinkin’ is, “What would Elvis do?” All that I keep thinkin’ is, “What would Elvis do?”
18.
Whipped 03:03
I ran into an old musician friend of mine today And I suggested we go to the park and sit and play He said, “I don’t play much anymore since I met my since I met my fiancée” “Seems she didn’t like the racket/ so I gave my axe away” So I thought we might go get a drink at the local bar instead He said, “Sorry but I’ve stopped drinkin’ too”/ and sadly shook his head I said, “I must go/ but let me say one thing before we’re done” “Seems I’ve known corpses/ that had more fun” CHORUS You’re whipped/ Sorry to inform ya’ Whipped/ Someone shoulda warned ya Sometimes when you give your heart/ They try to grab some other part Whipped/ Thought you were in clover Whipped/ Now you’re rollin’ over Odds are Bud, you shoulda kept it zipped ‘Cause you’ve been whipped SOLO (OVER CHORUS) BRIDGE If her car was broken/ She’d sell it off for junk And if her boat were broken/ She’d probably be sunk And if her watch stopped tellin’ time/ She’d toss it in the can So/ What would she want with/ a broken man? The reason that I’m tellin’ you/ this tale of love gone sad Is ‘cause I got a girlfriend now/ she’s the best I ever had But if you ever catch me/ actin’ this pathetically Slap me hard and sing this song to me CHORUS REPEAT CHORUS
19.
Wise To You 04:15
Well it’s plain to see / obviously You don’t know who you’re dealing with baby. ‘Cause if you did you wouldn’t try to flim-flam me. You think I must be deaf and blind / And I won’t know it if you sneak behind my back. But Jack. / I’m wise to you. Well it goes to show / You don’t know. When you got a good thing goin’. Think it’s time you pack your bags and go. Well I guess you haven’t heard the news / So girl you better leave before I lose my cool. ‘Cause fool / I’m wise to you. CHORUS: I’m wise to you and your other lover. I’m wise to you like a cop undercover. I got your number / I found you out. Don’t make like you don’t know what I’m talkin’ about. ‘Cause I’m wise to you like the F.B.I. So don’t say nothin’ / just say goodbye. Don’t even try to lie / ‘Cause I’m wise to you. (Wise) / Gonna get me a big dog/ Hire me a bodyguard. (Wise) / Gonna change my number / Take back my calling card. (Wise) / Gonna get an injunction / Hire me a lawyer too. Then I’ll take out an ad. / That says I’ve been had. And tells everyone that we’re through. Well it’s clear as the azure sky above. / Clear as an unmuddied lake. I got to cut you loose from me. / Before my poor heart starts to break. Well I think you have mistaken me / for one who’ll take you back but see I would. / And I could But I’m wise to you. (CHORUS)
20.
You put the low in lonely/ the day you said goodbye You were my one and only/ now I’m the one who’ll cry You didn’t care that you weren’t careful with my heart Did you think you were clever/ when you said forever Then tore my world apart Somehow I didn’t see it/ though my friends told me so The nights you’d come home late/ flushed with the afterglow But then I saw you walkin’ with him hand in hand You said, “Thing’s aren’t the same”/ then took careful aim Knocked me down where I stand CHORUS You changed forever/ to never and never told me But when you took the good/ and left me goodbye/ I could see (That) you put the low in lonely   BRIDGE You tried your best to knock me down But I won’t ever let/ both knees touch the ground This empty house now echoes/ with my heart’s lonely beat It’s filled with sad reminders/ of love that once was sweet I know in time my broken heart will surely mend I will find someone new/ Forget about you/ Learn to love again CHORUS You changed forever/ to never and never told me But when you took the good/ and left me goodbye/ I could see (That) you put the low in lonely L-O-N-E-L-Y You put the low in lonely L-O-N-E-L-Y You put the low in lonely

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released March 21, 2020

Alan Lee Backer - Guitar/Vox

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Alan Lee & the Whiskey Bumps New York, New York

As a founding member of the Twanglers, he helped kickstart the Americana/alt-country movement with his participation in the groundbreaking first Rig Rock CD compilation on Diesel Only Records.
“Two Hearts,from that first Rig Rock CD was also featured in the 1996 film Freeway.
He has opened for Rosie Flores, Sara Evans, Bill Kirchen, Highway 101, Junior Brown, and the Beat Farmers.
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