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Body of Work (2023)

by Carsie Blanton

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1.
Twister 02:42
well it all went down when I heard him sing like whiskey it was wild and warm heard the preacher preach and the bells all ring and then the rumble of a gathering storm and when he took my hand the wind blew strong I said put that down and back away slow I’ve had about enough out of you now mister well I can’t help you if you don’t know but if it ain’t nailed down we gonna lose it in the twister turn tail jump ship hop on a train you better run boy ‘fore you in a world of pain now I can hear it comin and we ain’t even kissed if it ain’t nailed down we gonna lose it in the twister well I’m not sure he heard a word I said or really if I said it at all cause the next I know I was in his bed with a window and a clock on the wall and the clock stopped tickin and the sky went black I said good goddamn, now what have we done? we tried to beat the devil but we couldn’t resist her we lay down when we shoulda turned and run now if it ain’t nailed down we gonna lose it in the twister turn tail jump ship hop on a train you better run boy ‘fore you in a world of pain can’t beat the devil so you got to resist if it ain’t nailed down we gonna lose it in the twister had a home, now I got a hole in the ground had a man, now I got a man about town so take it from the lady in the rubble and wreck when you feel that feelin on the back of your neck just turn tail jump ship hop on a train you better run girl ‘fore you in a world of pain I have sinned but I never thought it’d end like this if it ain’t nailed down I’m gonna lose it in the twister
2.
LOVE & RAGE (2021) Carsie Blanton Music Videos Shows Shop Patreon LOVE & RAGE (2021) Buy / Download Pay What You Please “Carsie Blanton is one of those hardheaded, open hearted protesters that makes revolution sound desirable to your body even if your mind wants to resist it.” - Fresh Air Party at the End of the World Lyrics Be Good Lyrics Down in the Streets Lyrics All My Love Lyrics Can't Wait to Break Your Heart Lyrics Shit List Lyrics So Long, New Orleans Lyrics Be So Bad Lyrics Sufferin Fools Lyrics Ain't No Sin Lyrics Mercy Lyrics Sign up for my monthly newsletter! Booking: lara@flemingartists.com Everything else: hello@carsieblanton.com Copyright © 2023 Carsie Blanton. Website by Mindlark. Photos by Bobby Bonsey and Isaac Scott Down In The Streets Mama it’s a disaster Goin faster and faster And all of my heroes Turnin out to be bastards Ain’t no peace to be found In this company town Cus the house’ll keep winnin ‘Til we burn the house down So all my friends in the streets tonight We go singin All my friends who’re down and out We’re gonna fight For all our friends in the up above With all our rage and all our love Addin fuel to the fire Down in the streets tonight Now they call it a riot Cus we ain’t keepin quiet But if you’re out there listenin We know you don’t buy it And they say we been stealin But who’s the real villain? When we can’t even make a livin And they’re out there makin a killin So all my friends in the streets tonight We go singin All my friends who’re down and out We’re gonna fight For all our friends in the up above With all our rage and all our love Addin fuel to the fire Down in the streets tonight They can lock us up They can knock us down We’re the ones who run this town We’re gonna shout it out Til we make em face We’re the ones who own this place All my friends in the streets tonight We go singin All my friends who’re down and out We’re gonna fight For all our friends in the up above With all our rage and all our love Addin fuel to the fire Down in the streets tonight
3.
Hey John Prine thanks for the tunes They were sweet as peaches, crazy as loons You were tellin us how to be good to each other A smartass smiling Aimless Lover But it’s rough down here since we got the news might take a miracle to Kill These Blues everybody been cryin like a little girl In the whole wide Big Ol’ Goofy World But tonight heaven is a happier place They were all sick of singing Amazing Grace Now it’s Fish and Whistle, Lean On Me Everybody singing in harmony Tonight in heaven it must be nice They’re all eating peaches in Paradise All of them angels lined up in a queue Just to go fishin with you Hey John Prine just one more thing You’re the one who made us all wanna sing You made it look easy and sound so fun we’ll sing a little sweeter now that you’re all done please tell Petty we been Breakin Down since and Merle and Bowie and Leonard and Prince you got a pretty good band up there I guess we all wish you all the best But tonight heaven is a happier place They were all sick of singing Amazing Grace Now it’s Fish and Whistle, Lean On Me Everybody singing in harmony Tonight in heaven it must be nice They’re all eating peaches in Paradise All of them angels lined up in a queue Just to go fishin with you
4.
Hot Night 02:41
it’s a hot night and I don’t feel like sleepin I got too much commotion runnin round my mind some kind of second sight I see the meaning of everything with the fever of the free and easy in the summertime ain’t nobody gonna give it to ya you got to steal it ain’t nobody gonna live it for ya so you better feel it it’s a hot night I hear the dogs in the distance I hear the men comin down the street pickin up the trash it sounds like a fist fight like a squalid existence but they’re singin in the dawnin day like nobody asked ain’t nobody gonna give it to ya you got to steal it ain’t nobody gonna live it for ya you better feel it it’s a hot night and I don’t feel like sleepin I’m lying next to my lover and I can hear his dreams I feel like rising bread like a hothouse flower like I’m drunk on whiskey sour down the street in new orleans it’s a hot night I’m lying next to my lover and there’s nowhere tomorrow that I need to get so I say not quite don’t take this night away from me I don’t feel like sleeping yet
5.
I’m in love with you but it’s all right I fall in love nearly every night and it fills up my heart til I can’t keep it in so I hope you don’t mind if I say it again I’m in love with you but it’s okay I fall in love almost every day I’m in love with the boys in the band down my street and with every good poet I happen to meet cus loving is easy as taking a breath I’ll do it all day til the day of my death I don’t wanna own you, you don’t have to stay just as long as I’ve known you, I’ve wanted to say I’m in love with you is that a sin? just look at the state that you’ve got me in when I think of your hands of your eyes of your tongue I feel suddenly foolish, and humble and young cus I’m in love with you honey but don’t be afraid I fell in love with the love that we made but it’s none of my business if you could love me you don’t have to earn it I’m givin’ it free cus loving is easy as taking a breath I’ll do it all day til the day of my death I don’t wanna own you, you don’t have to stay just as long as I’ve known you, I’ve wanted to say I’m in love with you
6.
Smoke Alarm 02:39
he said baby what’s the big deal feel what you wanna feel say what you’re gonna say you’re gonna die one day for example I could kiss you just because I want to what’s the difference if you turn away I’m gonna die one day why do you waste your time thinkin bout your reputation trying to meet an expectation wonderin what they’re gonna say when everyone you ever known is headed for a headstone I don’t wanna give the end away but we’re gonna die one day your body is an animal doesn’t ask for much a little music and a soft touch why don’t you let it out to play your heart is in a bird cage singing in your chest you wanna shut it up, but give it a rest you’re gonna die one day why do you waste your time thinkin bout an obligation runnin from a confrontation wonderin what you oughtta say when everyone you ever known is headed for a headstone I don’t wanna give the end away but we’re gonna die one day so baby what’s the big deal if you wanna be free say what you wanna feel and spend the night with me I’m gonna take you up in my arms and if we must go down we’ll go singin to the smoke alarms we’ll dance into the ground
7.
You wake up in the early morning Pour yourself a cup of something sweet Then you go out in the air and See what’s growin in the early summer heat Somewhere a broken record’s playin Memories like half-forgotten songs When somebody’s gone You pack up all the books and papers Photographs and stories that you know You stack up all the boxes and you sweep the floor And then it’s time to go Take all the things they saved and treasured Put em in a pile on the lawn When somebody’s gone They say your heart won’t always hurt But they don’t say how long Ain’t it strange the body turns to dirt But love goes on and on When somebody’s gone Every day the sun goes down and something comes to serve as a reminder Of all the things you coulda said and done If you were just a little kinder It’s plain to see that kindness Was the only thing that mattered all along when somebody’s gone They say your heart won’t always hurt But they don’t say how long Ain’t it strange the body turns to dirt But love goes on and on When somebody’s gone
8.
I remember where it all went wrong A bad day and the night was long You were looking for the light of dawn But you were right in the middle of it Good lord, honey heaven sake Are you never gonna catch a break Takin everything that you can take And you’re right in the middle of it When it don’t work out Well you know who to run When it all goes south Honey I’m coming south too I’ll be knocking on your front door Cause that's what a friend’s for When you’re right in the middle of it When you’re right in the middle of it Never one for the easy route Pretty girl from the dirty south With a big heart and a bigger mouth You were right in the middle of it I remember the night we met Walking down Carondelet You said you could sing me the alphabet We were right in the middle of it When it don’t work out Well you know who to run to When it all goes south Honey I’m coming south too I’ll be knocking at your front door Cause that's what a friend’s for When you’re right in the middle of it When you’re right in the middle of it When it don’t work out Well you know who to run to When it all goes south Honey I’m coming south too I’ll be knocking at your front door Cause that's what a friend’s for When you’re right in the middle of it When you’re right in the middle of it
9.
Animal I Am 03:07
the animal I am inside don’t give a damn about my pride her smile is a mile wide cus she don’t give a damn the animal I have in me don’t give a shit for dignity so go ahead and let me be the animal I am when I try to reason she just laughs when she cries it breaks my heart in half in my younger days I tried to keep her locked away inside but there ain’t no use to try and hide the animal I am the animal that’s in me yet she’s got no use for etiquette heaven knows if you will get a lion or a lamb and god forbid you fall for me though I might treat you tenderly hang around and you will see the animal I am when I try to reason she just laughs but when she cries it breaks my heart in half in my younger days I tried to keep her locked away inside there ain’t no use to try and hide the animal I am well she barks all night she’s always startin fights but she’s only actin tough all she needs is love in my younger days I tried to keep her locked away inside but there ain’t no use to try and hide the animal I am
10.
Wolf 02:54
I built a house of sticks and stones Steady as a metronome Said there was nobody home but he came in He huffed and puffed and blew it down again I built a house of mud and brick The roof was tall, the walls were thick My brothers went to market but I had to stay He huffed and puffed and blew it all away Please believe me I’m no fool At least not as a rule I’ve a quick and clever mind He always wears the same disguise When I look into his eyes I believe him every time I hide my head when they return They say when you ever gonna learn We told you that you had to keep a strong defense He huffs and puffs an you lose all your sense Please believe me I’m no fool At least not as a rule I’ve a quick and clever mind He always wears the same disguise When I look into his eyes I believe him every time Every time I built a house of sticks and stones Steady as a metronome Said there was nobody home but he came in He huffed and puffed, but who’s afraid of him He huffed and puffed and blew it down again
11.
Look A Fool 02:38
12.
Good Woman 03:04
13.
I saw you standing in a crowded room it’s a long time later but it’s still too soon and it’s not like everything you did was wrong baby I loved you but we stayed together too long baby it was not bad, isn’t like I’d take it back you and I had quite a lot of fun in fact and its not like anything went really wrong baby I loved you but we stayed together too long now that it’s all over and you’re saving face you say you wanna be my friend but I don’t know what I saw in you in the first place and I hope I never ever have to see you again I took my books back, records from the bedroom shelf it was a small flat, now you got it to yourself I know that probably I did you wrong baby I’m sorry but we stayed together too long now that it’s all over and you’re saving face you say you wanna be my friend but I don’t know what I saw in you in the first place and I hope I never ever have to see you again it isn’t my fault we were never meant to be it isn’t your fault I can tell you honestly we knew it when we started there was something wrong we should’ve known better but we stayed together too long now that it’s all over and you’re saving face you say you wanna be my friend but I don’t know what I saw in you in the first place and I hope I never ever have to see you again
14.
Desire 03:14
you got a way about you, baby I got a hunger for you, man it’s killing me I’m gonna want you ‘til they lay me in my grave you can put on your Sunday suit and dance in my parade I could die in a flood shedding blood or a fire if I don’t die of desire I saw the Mississippi when I was a child wanted to jump into that river running wild my mama told me when she took me in her arms all of the things we long for come to do us harm I could die in a flood shedding blood or a fire if I don’t die of desire when they lay me in my grave they’re gonna say that I lived right they’re gonna cry for me all night they’re gonna laugh at my epitaph you can live like a king you can sing in the choir but we all die of desire we all die of desire
15.
Sister Says 02:05
Don’t be a stranger Try to be a friend There ain’t any danger Lettin’ someone in Sister says to give what you can give It’s in the shelter of each other that we live Well I ain’t an angel But I can make a start A little sanctuary To resurrect my heart And sister says the wonders never cease It’s in the shelter of each other that we know peace Don’t be a stranger There ain’t no such thing We’re brothers and sisters In the love we bring Sister says to give what you can give It's in the shelter of each other that we live Sister says to give what you can give It's in the shelter of each other that we live

about

*Please note: The Body of Work album will be released digitally,one song each month, between April 2022 and April 2023. The complete 15-track album will be available digitally and on CD and vinyl in late Spring 2023.

BODY OF WORK is an intimate new album of songs from throughout my catalog, revisited and undressed.

It’s been twenty years since I wrote my first good song. Before that, I loved songs from afar, with all the ache and daydream teenage love requires. I was sixteen, sitting on the porch, up early having never gone to sleep. I felt like I had been let into the center of the universe.

Songs are my passion, my field of study, and my life partner. I love their playfulness and their human-scale brevity. I love melody and metaphor, distilling huge emotions into something we can know and hold. A song can be a small mercy; a cup of tea, a butterscotch. A song can clarify us, like a plunge into the sea. Songs can forgive us our darkest urges, reveal the best in us, and give us hope.

A good song makes holy our little human problems; a great song laughs at them and makes them rhyme. Songs, to me, make this drowning world worth saving.

credits

released April 21, 2023

All songs © Carsie Blanton. ‘Fishin with You’ © Carsie Blanton and John Prine. “Hot Night” and “Right In The Middle Of It” © Carsie Blanton and Joe Plowman. Featuring Carsie on vocals and most guitars. Joe Plowman on bass and background vocals. Tyler Chester on everything else.

Produced and mixed by Tyler Chester, Engineered by Mauro Castro, Additional Engineering by Mario Ramierz. Mastered by Eric Boulanger at The Bakery. Recorded at Sonic Ranch. Art by Madalyn Stefanak.

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Carsie Blanton Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Carsie Blanton writes anthems for a world worth saving. Whether alone with her electric guitar or fronting her four-piece “handsome band”, Carsie delivers every song with an equal dose of moxie and mischief, bringing her audience together in joyful celebration of everything worth fighting for. ... more

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