Just when I start getting comfortable in my own skin
You come, then shed off, dragging the darkness back in
I feel it coming, there ain't no running from me
So out here, right now, gonna write this thing out 'til I'm free
And when I get tired
Of staring up at the ceiling
Wrestling with
What these demons are dealing
And kneeling, and feeling like nobody answers at all
I climb the walls
Been here before, and God knows I'll be here again
It ain't a matter of if, just a matter of when
You think I'd be stronger the longer that I'm in this war
But I'm fighting the feeling, and I just can't do this no more
And when I get tired
Of staring up at the ceiling
Wrestling with
What these demons are dealing
And kneeling, and feeling like nobody answers at all
I climb the walls
But I know the only way out is through
And light at the end of a tunnel is you, no, hoo
Written by: Charles Esten and Kendall Marvel
Released: 6/2/17
Stream or download here
-------------------------
I Don’t Drink Anymore
COMING SOON
Written by: Charles Esten and Jon Randall
Released: March 2020
----------------------------
When I met you, I knew you were the one
And my long look for love was finally done
And if you'd ask me then, I knew for sure
That I would not belong to someone anymore
Now I'd be happy, and you'd be true
Yeah, all that stuff I thought I knew
Convinced me I could trust this love I found
Well, I know better now
When I stop and look back now, it's plain to see
How a heart like yours could be so hard on me
I fell fast for you, and all your lies
You're a rebel with a devil behind those angel eyes
Love is blind, and deaf and dumb
And I'm as dumb as a lover could come
Convinced it was all my fault somehow
Well, I know better now
Much better now
You stepped out, and she stepped in
And showed me what a fool I'd been
But now I know what good love is all about
Yeah, I know better now
Better now
Much better now
And I know better now
Much better now
And I know better now
Writtten by: Charles Esten and Gary Nicholson
Released on: 9/23/16
Stream or download here
----------------------------
We met in high school, and I fell hard
Bobby Whelan’s party - you were out in his backyard
With all your friends, beside that tree
I tried to pick you up, but you were oh so cold to me.
I opened up, and you did too.
And then I spent that night just sitting there and holding you.
And then I knew – yes it was clear
I love you beer.
I went to college, and you were there
You made it hard to study, aw but, man, I didn’t care
We just ran wild most every nightYou’d get me in some trouble
And I’d end up in a fight
Sometimes I grew so sick of you
And lying on that bathroom floor I swore that we were through
Those days are gone, but you’re still here
I love you beer
After all these years together, you and I are going strong
Through the good times and the bad this thing has lasted for so long
My wife she knows about you
It’s okay - she says it’s fine
She understands my feelings ‘cause she loves a glass of wine
So here we are – in love to stay
I must have had a few of you to talk to you this way
But I don’t mind. No, I don’t care
‘Cause every time I reach for you, you’ve always been right there
I lift you up. You feel my cup
And if I could pour a million more it wouldn’t be enough
This one’s for you. It’s so sincere
I love you beer
Written by: Charles Esten
Released on: 8/5/16
Stream or download here
----------------------------
I Love You (But I Don’t Like You)
I wasted all my time and energy
Tryna' get you to be kind and sweet to me
Crying down that telephone
Squeezing blood from a heart of stone
I now know what I shoulda' known
I love you, but I don't like you
I love you, but I don't like you
I love you, but I don't want to be my life
Twist your knife
I used to think that we were meant to be
Told everyone "Yeah, she was sent to me
Sent to me from above, sent to be the one I love"
I wonder what I was thinking of, 'cause
I love you, but I don't like you
I love you, but I don't like you
I love you, but I don't want to be my life
Twist your knife
It's all so weird, it's tearing me apart
I want you near, but I hate you when you are
I know that we're dysfunctional
'Cause I won't say a word, you'll never go
I'll never leave, you'll never know
Written by: Charles Esten
Released on: 12/16/16
Stream or download here
----------------------------
See that moon?
It's the same moon that amazed us years ago
When that West Virginia sky began to snow
It's still the same
I guess we're different, though
See these eyes?
They're the same eyes that adored you all these years
Bet they're sadder now, and holding back the tears
That seemed to fall
When good love disappears
I miss you, and I miss me
I miss what we used to be
I miss your smile, I miss my laugh
Lord, how I miss my better half
Well, here we are, where'd it go?
That easy love we used to know
It's been gone so long, it's just a memory
Baby, I miss you, and me
See these hands?
They're the same hands that you held so tight in yours
That floated on your skin behind closed doors
Now they don't get to touch you anymore
I miss you, and I miss me
I miss what we used to be
I miss your smile, I miss my laugh
Lord, how I miss my better half
Well, here we are, where'd it go?
That easy love we used to know
It's been gone so long, it's just a memory
Baby, I miss you, and
I'm still daddy, and you're still mommy
And I know we'll both stay
But I would give all that I have if I could hear you say
"I miss you, and I miss me
I miss what we used to be
I miss your smile, I miss my laugh
Lord, how I miss my better half
Well, here we are, where'd it go?
That easy love we used to know
It's been gone so long, oh, god, where could it be
Baby, I miss you, and me
Baby, I miss you, and me
Written by: Charles Esten and Jane Bach
Released on: 2/3/17
Stream or download here
----------------------------
She tells me that she don't deserve me
And I say "Baby, that's the truth"
She laughs because she thinks I'm joking
But I know how much better she could do
And I know that's what everybody's thinking
Me, I think it all the time
Somehow she don't seem to see it
She's still got her hand in mine
And I, I'll never know why
I'm the lucky guy who gets to taste her kisses
And take her home, God knows this is
Heaven 'cause this angel says she's mine
And I'll never know why
I remember when I met her
Man, I was blown away
All this time we been together
She's more amazing every day
And I, I'll never know why
I'm the lucky guy who gets to taste her kisses
And take her home, God knows this is
Heaven 'cause this angel says she's mine
And I'll never know why
And I, I'll never know why
I'm the lucky guy who gets to taste her kisses
And take her home, God knows this is
Heaven 'cause this angel says she's mine
She's mine
And I'll never know why
I'll never know why
I'll never know why
Written by: Charles Esten, Kyle Jacobs and Marty Dodsen)
Released on: 10/28/16
Stream or download here
----------------------------
Too many long nights
Out on the road
Too many mornings waking up all alone
But come tomorrow
I'm heading home
Fast as 18 wheels can roll
It won't be long
And it won't be long
I'll be in your arm again
'Cause I'm coming home
Another black coffee
Another sad song
Sun goes down, and the headlights all come on
And I only know
What state I'm in
Talk about lonely, baby, that's all I've been
But it won't be long
And it won't be long
I'll be in your arm again
'Cause I'm coming home
So many miles
Can't count 'em all
Days between us just seem to crawl
This travelling life
Will make a young man old
And when it comes to love, the highway takes a toll
But it won't be long
It won't be long
I'll be in your arm again
Loving you strong
It won't be long
It won't be long
I'll be in your arm again
'Cause I'm coming home
I'm coming home
Just a few more miles
Just a few more miles
Wait for me, baby
Wait for me, baby
Written by: Charles Esten and Mark Collie
Released on: 7/14/17
Stream or download here
----------------------------
In a bar somewhere, the where we met story of you and me
Had all the makings of a meant to be hanging like smoke in the air
In the neon light, lookin' like a couple from a movie scene
Or maybe just a memory from a miss you dream
We were burning bright that night
In a bar somewhere, we're still drinkin' and laughin'
Not thinkin' 'bout what's gonna happen
We're still dancin' right there
In a bar somewhere, your head still on my shouldеr
We're still us, it ain't over
No, it ain't ovеr
We're still, we're still
In a bar somewhere, one of those dives from our old beach town
That didn't survive, no it's all closed down
But I close my eyes and see, you and me
In a bar somewhere, we're still drinkin' and laughin'
Not thinkin' 'bout what's gonna happen
We're still dancin' right there
In a bar somewhere, your head still on my shoulder
We're still us, it ain't over
No, it ain't over
We're still, we're still in a bar somewhere
In a bar somewhere
Hey, God knows I've tried
But I can't put it behind me
Something will always remind me
So if you want me
You can find me
In a bar somewhere
In a bar somewhere, we're still drinkin' and laughin'
Not thinkin' 'bout what's gonna happen
We're still dancin' right there, you still care
In a bar somewhere, your head still on my shoulder
We're still us, it ain't over
No, it ain't over
We're still, we're still in a bar somewhere
In a bar somewhere
Oh, in a bar somewhere
Heyy, in a bar somewhere
In a bar somewhere
Written by: Charles Esten, Jason Gantt and Neil Medley
Released on: 6/23/23
Stream or download here
----------------------------
I had a beer with Billy today
Haven't seen him in a month or two
I said "Hey, Billy, boy, tell me what you say
How's life been treating you?"
He said "Well, I got let go, and Jenny don't know
That I've been sitting at this bar instead
And I'd tell her right now, but I don't know how"
Then he took a sip and said
"But it's all good
It's all good
I hope that I can do a smile
All I have is my denial, it's all gone bad
Just like I knew it would
But it's all good
It's all good"
He said "Enough about me, man, how 'bout you?
I been hearin' that you're doing real well
You gettin' married in a month, or two
And you love her, everybody can tell"
I said "Billy, that's right, we were thinking we might
But then she started thinking again
She said that "we're all done", and that "I'll find someone"
Now I'm just wondering when
But it's all good
It's all good
I hope that I can do a smile
All I have is my denial, it's all gone bad
Just like I knew it would
But it's all good
It's all good
Everybody knows that, good times don't stay forever
Something comes along to make us feel so sad
So why we all try to keep it all together
Here's the thing that we all stay
When everything sucks so bad
It's all good
It's all good
I hope that we can do a smile
All we have is our denial when it goes bad
Just like you knew it would
Say it's all good
It's all good
It's all good
It's all good
I hope that we can do a smile
All we have is our denial when it goes bad
Just like you knew it would
Say it's all good
'Cause it's all good
Written by: Charles Esten
Released by: 9/9/16
Stream or download here
---------------------
This is where I learned to read and write
And I learned how to share without a fight
I learned to do my work 'til it's done
And I learned to be kind to everyone
Now it's almost over
I can see the summer haze
But I won't forget my kindergarten days
I learned to be a friend on this playground
And get back on my feet when I fall down
I learned to follow rules when there's a game
And that we all are different, but mostly we're the same
And I've grown much older
In, oh, so many ways
But I won't forget my kindergarten days
I remember my first day
When I held my mama's had
I was shy, and I felt like I might cry
But then I met my teachers
And all the brand new friends I'd come to know
And I said "Mama, you can go"
Seeing the big kids walking on the yard
I hear the work they do is kinda hard
I used to think, I never would know how
I wasn't ready then, I'm ready now
With my friends beside me
We will set this world ablaze
And I won't forget my kindergarten days
So I thank my teachers
And these parents, I amaze
And I won't forget my kindergarten days
Oh, these days, kindergarten days
Written by: Charles Esten
Released on: 5/26/17
Stream or download here
----------------------------
Girl, this is hard for me
But there won't be a better time than now
We both know where this is going anyhow
This boyfriend/girlfriend thing ain't workin' out
Let's do what needs doin' tonight
And get on with the rest of our life
Let's get it on, let's get it on
Let's get it on your finger
Let's take the plunge. Let's git 'er done
C'mon let's pull that trigger
I pop the question, you say Yes
While I'm down on my knee
Got all we need
Got you, and me, and a ring
Let's do this thing!
You're surprised? Well so am I
I never thought I'd be
Begging you to be the ball that's chained to me
Baby, now you're crying
Can't talk - but you're trying
And you still haven't answered me yet
Now you're hugging me
I guess that's a yes? Yes? Yes?!
Oh yeah
Something borrowed. Something blue
You're about to make my dreams come true
Something old. Something new
Come on baby, let's say I do
Let's call every friend we got
And tell 'em that we're tying the knot
The champagnes about to...3...2...1...pop
Let's get it on, let's get it on
Let's get it on your finger
Let's take the plunge. Let's git 'er done
C'mon let's pull that trigger
I pop the question, you say yes
While I'm down on my knee
Got all we need
Got you, and me, and the bling of a ring
And it's spring
Let's do this thing
Written by: Charles Esten and Fred Wilhelm
Released on: 11/4/16
Stream or download here
----------------------------
The glass may seem half empty
But it's sure filling up fast
We're here to change the future
From the pain that's in our past
Just because it's always been
Doesn't mean it has to be
We can make a difference
Take this walk of faith with me
Lets light up that pretty night sky together
Gonna overcome the darkness
With the love the shines forever
The lantern's glow reflects our hope in a future, oh, so bright
We're hand-in-hand, across this land
You know we're gonna light the night
Oh, and our lights all shine together
It sure is a beautiful sight
[?] loved ones gone
How miracle's in white
Pray for those who lend a hand
Because they see a need
United in one's spirit
And the same blood we all bleed
Lets light up that pretty night sky together
Gonna overcome the darkness
With the love the shines forever
The lantern's glow reflects our hope in a future, oh, so bright
We're hand-in-hand, across this land
You know we're gonna light the night
We're in this for life
Oh, come stand with us today
We're gathered 'round to light the night
Across the USA
Lets light up that pretty night sky together
Gonna overcome that darkness
With the love the shines forever, oh, oh
The lantern's glow reflects our hope in a future, oh, so bright
We're hand-in-hand, across this land
You know we're gonna light the night
And shine so bright
Oh, we're gonna win this fight
Yeah, we're gonna light the night
Written by: Charles Esten and Gene Rapisardi
Released on: 10/26/18
Stream or download here
----------------------------
Girl, I know you've been let down
And put down
You let your guard down
He hurt you deep down
Now you don't want another hookup
Pickup a heartbreak hiccup
You broke up, but hold up
'Cause showing up, I rode up
So wait up, 'cause straight up
Girl, I'm a trade up
I'm in it for the long haul
I'm in it for the whole ride
I'm in it 'til the last call
Baby, by your side
I'm in it for the sunshine
And every minute of the hard time
We'll be loving when the stars fall
I'm in it for the long haul
Girl, I know you've been ticked off
And turned off
But you'd be better off
'Cause I won't run off, This ain't a one-off
I'm the one to count on, and fall on
That you can bet it all on
Love on, and hold on
So on, and so on, and so on
So bring it on, let's get this thing on
A white dress and a ring on
I'm in it for the long haul
I'm in it for the whole ride
I'm in it 'til the last call
Baby, by your side
We'll be living in the sunshine
And every minute of the hard time
We'll be loving when the stars fall
I'm in it for the long haul
Okay, girl. I know what you're thinking
"Another guy, another line"
But I'm telling you it's different this time
'Cause all those guys, they just want one night
They just want one thing
I want every night
I want everything
I'm in it for the long haul
I'm in it for the whole ride
I'm in it 'til the last call
B-baby, by your side
We'll be living in the sunshine
And every minute of the hard time
We'll be loving when the stars fall
I'm in it for the long haul, long, long haul
Yeah, the long, long haul
Yeah, baby, it's a long haul
And I be in love, won't be long
Yeah, it's a long haul
Baby, it's a long haul
Written by: Charles Esten and Mark Collie
Released on: 7/7/17
Stream or download here