[INTRO — spoken warmly over acoustic guitar and soft room sound] Freddie, give us a little room on those drums. Big J, let that bass walk. Tiny, find the light on the piano. Steve-o, let the guitar answer her. This one's for Karina. [VERSE 1] Black T-shirt, blue jeans, brim against the sun She leans across the fence; that horse comes on the run Says something low and easy that I can't quite hear He lifts his head to meet her like an old friend drawing near She calls him Puff of Air, and I can see why now One breath across the corral, dust rising from the ground She laughs and takes the reins; he waits until she's set Some moments find a place in you before you know it yet [CHORUS] Ride on, Karina, ride on, Puff of Air Golden dust behind you, sunlight in your hair Take that open stretch; I'll let the guitar play I came to sing you something beautiful today [INSTRUMENTAL TURNAROUND — 8 bars, piano and guitar trade phrases; no vocals] [VERSE 2] One boot finds the stirrup, then she's settled in the seat She pats him on the neck; he shifts beneath her feet "Let's go, baby," she says, and out across the ground They move together easy, and I love that steady sound Freddie holds the backbeat, Big J keeps the floor Tiny gives the chords some air; Steve-o asks for more I watch them round the fence line where the afternoon runs long And by the time she turns toward me, I've already found the song [CHORUS] Ride on, Karina, ride on, Puff of Air Golden dust behind you, sunlight in your hair Take that open stretch; I'll let the guitar play I came to sing you something beautiful today [BRIDGE — band drops to acoustic guitar and quiet piano] You asked me for a beautiful song I watched you ride and let the words come along Your horse knows when you're ready; he can feel it in your hand I think I'm starting to understand [EXTENDED INSTRUMENTAL — weathered lead guitar tells the story with slow bends; piano answers; no vocals or ad-libs] [FINAL CHORUS — female harmony joins softly] Ride on, Karina, ride on, Puff of Air Golden dust behind you, sunlight in your hair When you come back around, I'll have this one to play You asked for something beautiful And gave me the song today [OUTRO — gentle, unhurried] The dust comes down. He walks her to the gate. I let the last chord ring and wait.Warm Central Valley country-roots, 98 BPM. Mature male baritone, close and conversational; bright mature female harmony only on final chorus. Organic live band: fingerpicked acoustic, rounded bass, relaxed drums, warm piano, subtle Hammond, weathered lead guitar. Gentle spoken entrance, spacious phrasing, memorable melodic chorus. Clear 8-bar turnaround and extended guitar solo with no vocals. Natural room warmth, restrained plate reverb, intentional ringing ending. No shouting, falsetto, trap, or glossy pop.
