There has been a tremendous amount of interest in Casey James’ new songs. When were they written, who collaborated, and the most frequently asked question — what are the lyrics? Where we can answer those questions definitively, we will. Where we can’t, we won’t. Usually. But sometimes, we might entertain wild speculation…this is one of those times.
Here are links to the new songs and our best UNOFFICIAL guess of the lyrics**. Play along and add your own interpretation if you think we got them wrong. Just remember, many people thought Jimi Hendrix was singing, ‘scuse me while I kiss this guy.
Show Me a Bridge
Two weeks in
Here I am still right here
Usually be two, three days gone
Girl I try to do what’s right
My biggest fear is like always
I’d just wind up going wrong
Show me a bridge, I’ll show you a fire
I’m bound to burn us both with my selfish desires
Girl my whole life has been
a path of molten ash and smokin’ tires
Show me a bridge, I’ll show you a fire
People change, that’s one thing I’m countin’ on
‘Cause I’ve never wanted anything more to last
Like I want you, I want me to stay here forever
Girl I’m afraid my future can’t outrun my past
Show me a bridge and I’ll show you a fire
Bound to burn us both with my selfish desires
Girl my whole life has been a path of molten ash and smokin’ tires
Show me a bridge, I’ll show you a fire
Show me a bridge and I’ll show you a fire
I Lied
I don’t know what I just said
But don’t get the wrong idea
I hear wheels spinning in your head now
Don’t believe everything you hear
Just stand there let me explain
Cause if I said I loved you, I lied
Cause love’s just a word
And it can’t describe
All these feelings of
There’s so much more
I feel inside
If I said I loved you, I lied
Oh if I said I loved you, I lied
I need everything about you
Though all I want to do is let you know
I want to wrap my arms around you
And I don’t ever want to ever to let you go
It’s something I can’t explain
So if I said I loved you, I lied
Cause love’s just a word
And it can’t describe
All these feelings of
There’s so much more
I feel inside
If I said I loved you, I lied
So if I said I loved you, I lied
Cause loves just a word
And it can’t describe
All these feelings of
There so much more
I feel inside
If I said I loved you, I lied
Oh if I said I loved you, I lied
Man if I said I loved you, I lied
Hold On
Time is slow, fog is rising
Sky is broken far as I can see
I can see through the darkness stars are shining.
There’s a voice that carries me
sayin’ hold on hold on.
It’ll turn before too long.
When it feels just like all hope is gone
Don’t give up, baby hold on.
Heartbreak follows me all around you
covered up in brick and dust
Rose grows
out of the rubble
Whispering love to each of us.
sayin’ hold on hold on.
It’ll turn before too long.
When it feels just like all hope is gone
Don’t give up, baby hold on.
ummmm
We’ll find faith to rise above it
Find a rock where you can stand
When the ground stopped shakin’ neath you
what you know has fallen down
Take a hand babe if they need you
don’t let go of what you’ve found
Hold on Hold on
It’ll turn before too long
When it feels just like all hope is gone
don’t give up baby hold on
Sayin’ Hold on, hold on
it’ll turn before too long
when you feel like you, you cant’ go on
don’t give up baby hold on
I say
don’t give up baby hold on
Done Made Up My Mind
I couldn’t leave here
Never good as gone
I always left it way too nice, babe
I don’t plan on making that mistake again
Ain’t nothing like a bad goodbye
Ya, Every bridge behind me burning down
Ain’t no use in turning around
Ain’t no going back this time
Well, I done made up my mind
Don’t hear those voices telling me I’m wrong
Only voice I’m hearing is my own
Fire in my rearview
My future up ahead
All I gotta do is get gone, Ya
Every bridge behind me burning down
I’ve gone too far for turning around
Ain’t no going back this time
Well I done made up my mind
Every bridge behind me burning down
I’ve gone too far for turning around
Ain’t no going back this time
No I cant stay and hold that line
I cant stay and hold that line babe
Every bridge behind be burning down
Gone too far for turning around
Ain’t no going back this time no no
Well I done made up my mind
Drive
I don’t care if it’s a highway or a dirty county road
I don’t care if I’m leaving or coming home
I don’t know if it’s the song on that tuned out radio
I don’t know if it’s the smell of that burning smoke
Here I go
Headed out to no where like a bullet from the gun
Putting miles on me and the wheels I’m rollin on
Slide on over baby and I’ll take you for a ride
I just like to drive
Well, I just like to drive
Well I love to feel my worn out boots stompin on the gas
Love to see your bare feet tappin on the dash
Love to see your hand girl swinging in the breeze
And I’m done burning up a tank of gasoline
Smells so sweet
Headed out to no where like a bullet from the gun
Put miles on me and the wheels I’m rollin on
Slide on over baby and I’ll take you for a ride
I just like to drive
Well, I just like to drive
Headed out to no where like a bullet from the gun
Putting miles on me and the wheels I’m rolling on
Slide on over baby and I’ll take you for a ride
I just like to drive
Well, I just like to drive
Well, I just like to drive
Well, I just like to drive
Til My Guitar
If I was a drinkin’ man, I’d know just what to do
I’d go find the darkest hour?? and I’d knock me back a few
But for me there’s just no way to get over you
‘Til my guitar gets tired of playin’ the blues
If another woman could feel right in my arms
Wouldn’t be alone tonight wondering where you are
‘Cause for me there’s just no way to get over you
Til my guitar gets tired of playin’ the blues
As long as your memory only has one remedy
Playin til my fingers bleed like there’s nothing left to lose
Til my guitar gets tired of playin’ the blues
As long as your memory only has one remedy
Playin’ til my fingers bleed like there’s nothing left to lose
Til my guitar gets tired of playin’ the blues
Playin’ til my fingers bleed like there’s nothing left to lose
Til my guitar, til my guitar gets tired of playin’ the blues
Casey introduced this song on 4/30 by saying, about the writing of this song: “I moved to Nashville back in October from Ft. Worth, Texas…I was feeling a little bit lonely and so this song’s kind of a representation of that.”
Let’s Don’t Call It A Night
Love the way you look in that dress
You’ve got me thinkin thoughts in my head
Way your body’s movin slowly to the music
Only leaves me wantin more
Let’s don’t call it a night
Love the way you’re holdin me tight.
When you’re next to me there’s no place I’d rather be
Every things feeling so right
So baby let’s don’t call it a night
Just let that ??
Cause in the morning we can sleep in late
Why not spent our time on what we’ve got in mind
I’ll get up and close the door
Let’s don’t call it a night
Love the way you’re holdin me tight
When you’re next to me there’s no place I’d rather be
Every things feeling so right
So baby let’s don’t call it a night
Well baby’s lets don’t call it a night
Love the way you’re holdin me holdin me tight.
When you’re next to me there no place I’d rather be.
Every things feeling so right
Well baby let’s don’t call it a night No..no…no..no
Bulletproof
I’m on the hoof
I’m on the loose
Feel like honkin’
like a long necked goose
Look at me baby
I’m feelin’ like I’m
bulletproof!
Crank it up
get into town , or : ( to hit the town ) , ( head into town )
I know the best little honky tonk
for miles around
That’s the truth Lord
I’m feelin like I’m
bulletproof!!!
I want to be there
in that crowd;
I want the music
up way too loud.
i want to juke joint jump
and rock n roll
to the end of the night babe.
Don’t try to stop me
It ain’t no use
there ain’t no tellin
what I’m gonna do
Can’t you see honey
I’m feelin like I’m bulletproof
*(honky tonk piano & electric guitars interlude with steady drumbeat) * 1:00 -1:25
I want to be there
in that crowd
I want the music
up way too loud
i want to juke joint jumpin
and rock n roll
to the end of the night (YEAH)
I can’t stop
I can’t quit
I’m like a stick of dynamite
and my fuse is lit
Can’t you see babe
I’m feelin like I’m bulletproof
yeah yeah babe
I’m feelin like I’m bulletproof!!
Can you hear me
I’m feelin like I’m
bulletproof!!!!
Thanks to TwickleP, Meme4CJ, Polina, Pam and CoolCJFan for their help in deciphering the lyrics.
**All songs and song lyrics are the property of their copyright holder(s)
The Casey James Blog 
Shari, in ” I Lied” just after the line “And it can’t describe” the next line is “What this feeling deserves” it follows it everytime. And the two first sentences of the last verse are “I need everything about you” “And all I want to do is let you know” And then the second verse of “Let’s Don’t Call It A Night” he is saying “Just let that clock tick away” LOL you should have checked with me, I have only listened to them a million times…I have some different words to “Show Me A Bridge” too but I not sure about them…Thanks for doing this so many people have been wanting lyrics…:)
let’s dont call it a night…aawww the lyrics got to me feeling sumthin noty bout casey…yeah..yeahh..loves the way you holding me tight. ohhh no..no…no… someone please holding me!
OK that mp3 of Done Made Up My Mind was so fantastic to listen to. What a great song that is, the music is just so good. I hope he does that for a single, although it is not that country. He and the band just rock on that one and his guitar is so thrilling! Seems like he really feels the story he is telling. So much fun to hear!
“Love’s just a word” is true to the No Words, Only Love motto. “I Lied” is great.
Thanks Shari, I still want to know what Casey means when he says I’ll show you a fire. Hope he tells us and oh I still want that DNA we were chatting about. Gum never looked so good. LOL
The more I listen to and sing along the more I adore casey and really can’t wait for the album to coming out..
I think Show Me A Bridge starts out “Two weeks in and here I am still writing you. You should be two or three days gone.” And then on Lets Don’t call it a Night I think that one part goes “Just let that clock tick away, cuz in the morning we can sleep in late. Right now lets spend our time, on what we’ve got in mind. I’ll get up and close the door.” Now I’m gonna need a cold shower. 😉 Don’t know if these are right..just guessin’ cuz I’ve listened to them both 594 times or so. 😉
I think ,”I’ll show you a fire”, is a reference to burning bridges. He feels that if someone tries to build a life with him he will destroy it. IMO His writing gives you casuse to look at yourself and evaluate your actions. I love all of his new songs!
I think that’s right @jeanette. Burning bridges means you leave something behind without looking back. I think it says he’s left as he usually does, but this time he’s looking back with regret. Selfish desires sounds like a pursuit of life on the road or in music. He wants to change, but doesn’t know whether he can, so he’s telling her to show him a way to leave without looking back (a bridge) and he’ll try to burn it…for her sake to avoid hurting her as he thinks he will if he stays. That’s my interpretation and I think the lyrics in the first paragraph are probably right. He’s usually done with a relationship within a couple of days after leaving and this time he hasn’t moved on after a couple of weeks.
I am so happy that Casey’s two new songs have generated so much dialog about what the songs mean to us personally. And I totally agree that the man in Show Me a Bridge is saying, “I’d really love to stay here, and I’ve already been here longer than I usually stay, but I’m afraid my history proves that I will eventually disconnect.” Although, I’m not certain of one or two words that could totally change the meaning of the song. So I’ll wait for official lyrics. In “I Lied”, I’m feeling like he means if he JUST said I love you, I lied…because one word can’t possibly explain my feelings. The wonderful thing about music is we can all interpret it in our own way.
I think a couple of edits (in allcaps):
On I Lied –
I need everything about you
AND all I want to do is let you know
On on Show Me A Bridge –
Girl I’LL try to do what’s right
and (I think)
I’M bound to burn us both
+
Like I want you AND I want me to stay here forever
These are subtle edits and the words are swallowed a little, but changes it a bit.
I think I may like “Show Me a Bridge” best of all now, definitely of the ballads. It reminds me of back in the day Travis Tritt ballads and he was my favorite for a long time. You rarely hear anything this slow on radio these days, but this song is the most country of anything he’s done so far, I think. The lyrics are very poignant and I think that’s needed to stand up to a lot of what’s out there now. This compares much better to the “Don’t” and “Jealous Guy” performances that were so awesome. That’s what I’ve been looking for and hadn’t found before.
I agree with Jennifer, Jeanette and pamrichva regarding “Show Me A Bridge” … this song is akin to Bob Seger’s “Turn the Page” … a musician’s lament. Absolutely my favorite Casey James song so far. (-:
Thanks for the lyrics to these songs! I think that their all really good in their own way. I also agree with pamrichva above about “Show me a Bridge”. It gives me the chills and affects me much the way “Jealous Guy” did when Casey performed it on the show.
I think the “fire” in show me bridge means obstacles. A bridge is a way to overcome something, in figurative terms it is something positive and hopeful, you bridge your problems for example. So I think the show me a bridge means showing something positive, good or hopeful about the situation. While the I’ll show you a fire is the exact opposite, fire can either mean passion or burning and scorching which is to destroy. So while a bridge might mean something hopeful, the fire is a way to burnout or destroy that hope. Or in other words you can give some good points, examples and reasons but I can always counter them with some negative examples, obstacles or problems (it is also properly meant to be negative examples from the past). I think it might partly be a break up song. Or something like that.
From a lyrical perspective I like Show me a bridge and Done made up my mind the most. It is deeper more darker songs with more personal character.
Thanks for taking the time to share these! 🙂 Can’t wait to see what makes the album!
I think these are the Drive lyrics:
I don’t care if it’s a highway or a dirty country road
I don’t care if I’m leavin’ or comin’ home
I don’t know if it’s the sound of that tuned out radio
I don’t know if it’s the smell of that burnin’ smoke
Here I go…
Headed out to nowhere like a bullet from a gun
Puttin’ miles on me and the wheels I’m rollin’ on
Slide on over baby and I’ll take you for a ride
I just like to drive
Well, I just like to drive
Well, I love to feel my worn out boots stompin’ on the gas
Love to see your barefeet tappin’ on the dash
Love to see the hangdowns swingin’ in the breeze
And I’ve done learned enough to say that gas=o=line
Smells so sweet
Headed out to nowhere like a bullet from a gun
Puttin’ miles on me and the wheels I’m rollin’ on
Slide on over baby and I’ll take you for a ride
I just like to drive
Well, I just like to drive
REPEAT CHORUS
Gee=tar
REPEAT CHORUS AGAIN
Even though I like plugged in and definitely on slide = I liked it so much better that you can hear the words in the acoustic version and it didn’t seem to be quite as fast.
Oops…I didn’t realize lyrics had been posted or I wouldn’t have put in the whole song. You can take it down if you want. I think I may be right about the hangdowns, but wasn’t sure about the next verse and what you have makes more sense. It might be “And I done burned another tank of gasoline” though.
I think the first line of BulletProof is
“I’m off the hook”
Off the Hook – slang definition:
wild or crazy.
That party was off the hook!
“and I love burnin up a tank of gasoline”. What do you think?…does that sound right?
I think the first verse of show me a bridge might be:
Two weeks in
Here I am still RIDING
and
Girl I try to do what’s right (The try should be TRIED)
Like I want you, I want me to stay here forever (I wantED to stay here forever)
Shari, thanks so very much for the lyrics! Interesting how “Done Made Up My Mind” and “Show Me a Bridge” tie in together with the burning bridges theme. Good stuff! And thanks, fans, for the edits! Casey’s fans are awesome!
In his song Til My Guitar I am hearing another version in the chorus:
As long as you’re a memory
I only have one remedy
I think that’s right. Close…
Love the words to Casey original “Road Coming Home.” However didn’t notice what he was saying because the music background was distracting, but ideal for young adults. Wish he could bring down the tempo and remake this song for his older fans. From YouTube:
Pre-idol song from Casey James’ band. If you read through the lyrics below, it appears to be a homage to God. With him having a once wild youth to someone who’s trying to go back to the right track. My absolute fave along with Freezing.
==============================================
I. Lord you know, I’m at another crossroad
Ive been here many times before
Please take my hand, lead me through again
Keep me on this road to coming home
Chorus:
I can’t do it on my own
Ah, this road to coming home
I need to shapen/strengthen your love
To keep me on my way (yeah)
Keep me on this road to coming home
II. Lord, the devil’s after me
Throwing lovely things my way
Trying to temp and tease and lure me his way
It opens up my eyes, It’s shown me the lies
That all those things are keeping me from coming home
Chorus, II
I’m on the road to coming home
I’m on the road to coming home
I’m on the road, on the road to coming home
” I need your strength and your love”. I think that’s it!
I actually think he says “haygrass swaying in the breeze”
I agree with you. If you watch the video from his acoustic show you can also see him saying it.
That works for me, too.
At first I thought I heard hay bales and knew that wasn’t it, then started to think about something hanging from the rearview mirror and found that hangdowns is a term for a necklace with a toy charm…so went with that. Listening back, haygrass swaying in the breeze does sound more like it.
lol I didn’t know what a hangdown was….:) but I am from the south and I know there is a lot of haygrass fields….:)
I think the first line of Bulletproof is “I’m on the hunt” He’s out prowlin” !!!
I think I figured out the second line of Til My Guitar:
“I’d go find the darkest dive and I’d knock me back a few”
I think the Bulletproof first line is I’m on the hoof, cuz that is slang for walking, as in, the cattle are on the hoof, and it rhymes with bullet”proof” I originally sent these lyrics in, with the collaboration of @NorthCountryGrl, Janice from MN who posted on CastroMania.
I think the second line of ‘Til My Guitar may be “darkest alley”. That’s where I’d go if I were feelin’ down.
Thanks for other lyrics. I agree that Let’s Don’t Call it a Night, he says “Right now let’s spend our time” you can see it on the expo video easily. But it was very helpful to know Just let the time tick away, because I thought, if it rhymed, the last word would be “wait” but I was on the wrong track! And I love how one chick spelled “noty”. I have a hard time listening to this without a few notythots myself!
I think that one line from drive is “love to see your hair down, swingin’ in the breeze”
I’ve been trying to get all these lyrics together for weeks now, and the last new ones, had me stumped a bit. I see all these variations of the lyrics, and it’s awesome to see how differently people interpret these songs! I have my own ideas too, and somebody has already said, and I agree….in “Drive”…..he says ‘love to see the haygrass swaying in the breeze, I love burning up a tank of gasoline…..smells so sweet!’
And I still am not sure what the first line of “Bulletproof” is….it could be several things, and a few of them fits right in…..but the one I hadn’t heard, was…’on the hunt’….and it sounds right because he’s …..’on the hunt, on the loose’….and seems to be looking for a party! But…. ‘I’m off the HOOK’, actually means, “on one’s own, or on the loose, footloose, and fancy-free”……so it probably is, off the hook! Why don’t we start asking Casey every time we see him….a line in a particular song, and soon, we will have all of them right!!
In ‘Til My Guitar’, and the line….’Id find the darkest ???? and I’d knock me back a few’,I do believe the word we’ve all been searching for is DIVE….(thanks Pam) another word for a bar, club, or lounge. But, the Dive is more for a ‘poor working class people, that’s well worn, and unglamorous.’ Sounds exactly like the places Casey used to play in Texas!
Thanks twicklep and everybody for these lyrics, some of them have been eating away at me for awhile!! 🙂
In “Let’s Don’t Call it a Night”, it’s “Just let that clock tick away, cuz in the mornin we’re sleepin late” 😉
I just heard I Lied for the first time. I love it! I cannot wait to hear the album. 🙂 I can’t wait to support a fellow Texan.