THINKING LIKE A SONG [Intro — half-spoken] Hell of a year. Still counting. [Verse 1] I came out of Texas With a mouth and half a plan. Got a gift for making something And a knack for giving a damn. Now I’m cussing out a house Like the bastard picked a fight— Donelson, you son of a bitch, You kept me up another night. [Verse 2] I’ve been blaming those four walls For things I carried through the door. They’ve got plenty to account for— I keep charging ’em some more. Put the whole damn year on trial, Got my evidence laid out. Then I catch me changing subjects When my own name’s coming round. [Chorus] I’ve been thinking like a song, Something loud enough to hurt. Got a head full of tomorrow And this year down in the dirt. That house can take some credit For the shape it left me in— But I’m still the pissed-off fucker Who’s got to live inside this skin. I want more than getting through it, More than proving I’m still strong— Got a life I’m hungry for. I’ve been thinking like a song. [Verse 3] Found some lonely I’d never known With plenty numbers in my phone. Everybody’s got a “call me, brother”— Funny how that shit goes. I still call when something changes, Ask a question, let ’em talk. Some folks call me their best friend— Couldn’t tell you what this year has cost. [Verse 4] I’ve quit counting on some people, Had to count myself in too. I’ve dressed up my own bad judgment Till it looked like something true. Takes a steady hand to hold yourself To the things you say you are. I’m still learning how to do it When it’s inconvenient or hard. [Chorus] I’ve been thinking like a song, Something loud enough to hurt. Got a head full of tomorrow And this year down in the dirt. That house can take some credit For the shape it left me in— But I’m still the pissed-off fucker Who’s got to live inside this skin. I want more than getting through it, More than proving I’m still strong— Got a life I’m hungry for. I’ve been thinking like a song. [Guitar break] [Bridge — quiet, then building] I don’t think the world did all this Just to teach my ass a thing. But I paid enough to be here— Might as well learn something. Still get lit up by an idea, Still forget what time it is. Catch myself enjoying something In a life I swore was shit. This year nearly fucking broke me. Maybe “nearly” ain’t quite true. I keep getting up with questions— Find a thing I want to do. [Final Chorus — full band, ragged] I’ve been thinking like a song, Still got lines I’m working through. Want to be a man worth knowing When there’s nothing he can do for you. I keep going after happy, Get discouraged, change my plans. Some days all that’s moving forward Is the pencil in my hand. I want more than getting through it— I’m sick of proving I’m still strong. Got a life I’m hungry for. I’ve been thinking like a song. [Outro — instruments falling away] I could win that argument forever, Give that house the final word. Sit here being right about How much the whole damn thing has hurt. Fuck that. I’ll Pop another adderal and move the fuck along I’ve been thinking like a song.
