James McMurtry - 'If It Don’t Bleed' [Official Audio]

LYRICS:
looking back down the road from a little ways out
I never had a fear and I never had a doubt
if I’d had a lick of sense I’d have figured that out pretty fast
but I wasn’t any smarter than the average kid
somebody might’ve noticed, but I never did
I never saw the future fading right into the past
talking to the wallpaper, wandering the halls
I burned a lot of bridges and I dropped a lot of balls
it’s a wonder I can ever go back to anyplace I’ve been
but I wouldn’t get down on my knees on a bet
I’m near enough to Jesus as I ever want to get
seeking salvation isn’t part of my general plan

(chorus)

save your prayers for yourself
I raise my glass to your health
I don’t mind if you don’t look like me
I can share my bread and wine
I come from another time
it don’t matter all that much if it don’t bleed
if it don’t bleed

now it’s all I can do just to get out of bed
there’s more in the mirror than there is up ahead
I smile and I nod like I heard what you said every time
so run another rack, pour another shot
you don’t get it back so give it all you got
while you still got a more or less functional body and mind

(chorus)

I learned to answer my calls and open my mail
I paid my taxes and I stayed out of jail
you stay in the game when you’re too broke to fail
that’s a fact
talking to the wallpaper, sleeping in the hall
bones get brittle so you better not fall
you slow to a crawl and time gets to balling the jack
run you right off the track

(chorus)

© 2021 New West Records

[Steve-yuet]

I just spent time listening to this and Canola Fields about a dozen times each. If the new album is as good as these two songs, my head will explode. James is writing songs directly at my generation! One of THE best songwriters around. Bloody amazing.

[nicklloyd]

This is 1000% more country than most country music today.

[garmisra]

God damn, I haven't heard this guy since "walk between the raindrops." Glad to know he's still at it and in top form with his songwriting! Kinda like the logical successor to Warren Zevon.

[alexandervaneijken]

I have two passions: literature and popular music . (father and son Mcmurtry have given me countless
hours of pleasure in their respective disciplines.

[flaccidusminimus]

The first 10 seconds, before the vocals kick in, had me thinking this was a Drive-By Truckers tune. You can certainly tell that McMurtry and DBT have influenced each other.

[twocorgis]

Might be the best album he's done to date. The man is a poet!

[crispinkeith]

My favourite artist. I'm very excited at the prospect of a new album.

[jalapenowarrior]

I just went and saw James in Phoenix on Friday night. It was absolutely awesome! All he had on-stage was a six-string and a 12-string and a microphone. Two acoustic guitars and a microphone! Awesome!

[LambieSamba]

This and Canola fields are GREAT! Pre order at New West Records, I did, show James some love!

[explorinjenkins]

103.3 just did a James McMurtry marathon. How did I not hear this guy before?

[markguertin]

Local College station WWUH plays James music. Glad to hear the good music!

[RB-xjfg]

God I missed his music. Above all my favorite song writer, wish to see him perform live once before I go. Heck and I'm a Rush fan too....odd eh?

[paulelliott]

Sounding damn great as all his material does
Wonderful in every way

[danparis]

This appears to be a really exceptional album considering the four cuts a

[patriciamalloy]

My lovely sister, Toby/Loree, wife of Lance, (Nanton, Alberta), did me the favor of sending this to me over here in Southern Ontario.
So Great!!

[dougrawling]

Already one of my favorite McMurtry songs

[jeanbailey]

Thanks James for writing my theme song. ❤

[jimjohnson]

Awesome! Another banger! Looking forward to the release

[boc]

I wouldn’t get down on my knees on a bet. I like his attitude.

[donwoodward]

Oh my goodness JMM. This new one is the sh*t. He almost sounds like the "man in black" on this record. Sign me up. ✌