Can’t Catch a Break

Slow midnight blues ballad in 6/8, female vocals, Hollow-body guitar with soft tremolo, brushed snare and low upright bass; organ swells sneak in on pre-chorus for tension, Chorus lifts with stacked harmonies and a touch of reverb, guitar answers the vocal phrases, Final chorus strips back to almost solo voice, then band eases in for a weary, lingering outro, female vocals, happy, blues

[Verse 1] Alarm clock screaming Still I’m stuck in last year’s storm Paycheck’s already leaving Before it’s in my hand It’s gone I keep patching all these cracks Roof still dripping on my bed One step forward Two hits back Got a hailstorm in my head [Pre-Chorus] Everybody says “it gets better” I just watch the weeks roll by Trying to pin down something steady But every time I almost rise [Chorus] I can’t catch a break Soon as I’m standing The ground starts to shake I’m tired of treading this same bitter lake Trying to float But I’m starting to sink I just want a day Where I’m not waiting for something to take Whatever small smile I manage to make I can’t catch a break (can’t catch a break) [Verse 2] Doctor says I need sleep How you rest with bills for dreams Mama’s voice on the phone line Cracking like the old porch beams I keep stapling my hope To a sky that comes unglued When the sun peeks through the blinds Clouds come crowding round the view [Pre-Chorus] People tell me “count your blessings” I’m just counting one more scar Every time I think I’m healing Life swings harder than it did so far [Chorus] I can’t catch a break Soon as I’m standing The ground starts to shake I’m tired of treading this same bitter lake Trying to float But I’m starting to sink I just want a day Where I’m not waiting for something to take Whatever small smile I manage to make I can’t catch a break (can’t catch a break) [Bridge] Head above water Mouth full of rain Laugh through the pressure Choking on the strain I keep saying “I’m fine” Till the word feels fake How much can one small heart take [Chorus] I can’t catch a break Soon as I’m standing The ground starts to shake I’m tired of treading this same bitter lake Trying to float But I’m starting to sink I just want a day Where I’m not waiting for something to take Whatever small smile I manage to make I can’t catch a break (can’t catch a break, oh)

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