BACKSTORIES AND LYRICS
Track 1 Farrah Fawcett Hair
I'm not really sure what possessed me to write this song, other than the fact that since I was a kid, I’ve been obsessed with Farrah Fawcett hair! After listening to my daughters and friends do the sing-along parts on the recording, I found it strangely reminiscent of an old album my mother bought me as a child called 'Sing-mit-HEINO', which has stuck in my head all these years. Strangely enough, now I'm being accused of infecting innocent listeners' heads with ceaseless 'na na na na na's'. I guess it's the least I can do ... literally!
na na na na na
na na na na na na
na na na x2
i could go buy me some brand new clothes
work on my tan or pedicure my toes
but days when I wanna be lookin' hot
all I do is make sure I got
Farrah Fawcett hair
whoa I swear
it makes all the boys
just stop and stare
got the bleach blonde wings
flappin' in the air
shakin' my thing
got the Farrah Fawcett hair
na na na na na
na na na na na
na na na na na na
na na na x2
i could slip into my Daisy Dukes
or wonder around in a wonder woman suit
but ain't no mystery what I need
to get me lookin' like a tv queen
it's Farrah Fawcett hair
whoa I swear
it makes all the boys
just stop and stare
got the bleach blonde wings
flappin' in the air
shakin' my thing
got the Farrah Fawcett hair
spray it up with some Aqua Net
throw back my head and I'm all set
with Farrah Fawcett hair
whoa I swear
it makes all the boys
just stop and stare
got the bleach blonde wings
flappin' in the air
shakin' my thing
you know what I mean
I'm a tv queen
with Farrah Fawcett hair
na na na na na
na na na na na
na na na na na na
na na na x2
I was passing by a TV screen one day, when I heard Rachael Ray say, “There’s nothing sexier than a man doing the dishes.” I agree! So on my way to work, I cranked out the chorus for this song. A few crazy ideas later, I had some verses to go with it. If it ever becomes a hit, I’m sure a few soap companies will thank me!
but that won't do the trick
or you can flex your big bad biceps
but that won't work a lick
you can buy me a bunch of roses
but it sure won't turn me on
if you want to get me lathered up, well
go grab the dawn
well get your dish man on
baby suds it up
yeah wash those plates
scrub them cups
cause honey if you want my love
well show some yellow glove
get your dishman on
mmmmm
I like the way you soak it
when you run hot and cold
and I like the way you stroke it
and when you rinse and hold
you don't have to be in GQ
or be a cool cowboy
cause the man who gets my SOS
is the man who gets the Joy
well get your dish man on
baby suds it up
yeah wash those plates
scrub them cups
cause honey if you want my love
well show some yellow glove
get your dishman on
oh oh yeah, huh
no matter how they stack up
you really know how to fill my rack up
so get your dish man on
baby suds it up
yeah wash those plates
scrub them cups
honey squeeze that sponge
scub those pans
you're lookin' so damn good
in that apron
cause honey if you want my love
you got to show some yellow glove
well get your dishman on
oh oh oh
get your dish man on
oh oh oh oh yeah yeah yeah
My late grandmother Marie’s amazing bedtime stories inspired me to write this song. Born in 1903, she grew up on a farm in Minco, Oklahoma. Many a night she entertained me and my friends with vivid accounts of her childhood on the prairie. I wish there was a way she could tuck my kids in bed and tell them those stories.
where the daisies grew and the butterflies played
old wood schoolhouse two miles down
her little boots kickin' dust all the way
her bedtime stories took me way back then
and I felt cotton swirling soft against my skin
runnin' free in a flour sack dress
playin' in the field, spinnin' with her hair a mess
livin' back in simpler times
barefoot in the warm sunshine
hidin' in the tall sweet grass
in a flour sack dress
a bareback pony, a big blue sky
she held on tight as the prairie flew by
down in the canyon, hide and seek
her brothers all runnin' and you better not peek
she took me back in time for just awhile
and how I loved imagining to be that child
runnin' free in a flour sack dress
playin' in the field, spinnin' with my hair a mess
livin' back in simpler times
barefoot in the warm sunshine
hidin' in the tall sweet grass
in a flour sack dress
oh, I miss those times
I sure wish she was here tonight
to tell my girl what life was like
but baby close your eyes
step back in time with me
I'm gonna lace you in those little boots
and soon you're gonna be
runnin' free in a flour sack dress
playin' in the field, spinnin' with your hair a mess
livin' back in simpler times
barefoot in the warm sunshine
hidin' in the tall sweet grass
in a flour sack dress
my grandma lived down a red dirt road
where the daisies grew and the butterflies played
old wood schoolhouse two miles down
her little boots kickin' dust all the way
After having a bad Friday at work, I took myself out on a date to a Big & Rich / Gretchen Wilson concert that very night. It was just what the doctor ordered! I had a terrific time all by myself, and while driving home, I was inspired to let out my frustration by writing most of this song. Boy, did I feel good after that!
Finishing this song was like trying to give birth to an 11-pound baby. It just wouldn’t come out! I wrote it, rewrote it, and still couldn’t get it quite right. Thanks to my co-writer Steve Goodie, who knows nothing about being a mom, it finally came to life. And after giving it a good bath, taking its temperature, and wrapping it in a warm blanket, it actually turned out okay!
If it weren’t for Loretta Lynn, this music thing may not have happened for me. Back when I was a 30-something mom with four kids, I got the crazy idea to be a country singer. Loretta’s journey of becoming a mom first and then an artist compelled me to believe I could do the same thing. Before long, our whole family left Oklahoma and came to Nashville. One of my first cowriting sessions here was with Jerry Salley, who helped me perfect what I had so far.
in a brand new set of wheels
you didn't have the money
to buy your record deal
you drove a million miles
and you knocked on every door
but could a blue kentucky girl
oh, Loretta would they let you be
a country star today
would lawyers and the record labels
all get in your way
would don't come home a drinkin'
even get radio play
Loretta would they let you be
a country star today
you worked your young self ragged
as a mama and a wife
you poured it all into your songs
and sang about your life
all you had was talent
but you made it anyhow
make it that way now
oh, Loretta would they let you be
a country star today
would lawyers and the record labels
all get in your way
would you're lookin' at country
even get radio play
Loretta would they let you be
a country star today
oh, loretta would they let you be
a country star today, oh oh hmmmm
One day, my husband George asked me, “Why do you have so many shoes?” I replied, “It takes a lot of shoes to be a girl.” Granted, most of them are either hand-me-downs from friends, or bargains I find at Goodwill. I never said they had to be expensive shoes! I wrote most of this song while sitting in the car during my girls’ gymnastics class. Good times!
when you got a really good pair
might be rubber you're wearin'
might be a little mohair
there's some that push you way up
and some that just keep you flat
but whether you're dressed down or dressed up
the crazy truth is that
it takes a lot of shoes to be a girl
it takes a lot of sole to make it through this world
ain't no way to know how the day will unfurl
yeah it takes a lot of shoes to be a girl
you need some high heels for the office
slings for going on a date
and some flip flops for that sundress
and crocs for hangin' at the lake
and those sneakers come in handy
when the kids have gotcha on the run
and those cowgirl boots are dandy
when you're going out for some fun
yeah it takes a lot of shoes to be a girl
it takes a lot of sole to make it through this world
ain't no way to know how the day will unfurl
yeah it takes a lot of shoes to be a girl
oh oh life'll get you down
get you feeling like a heel
but there's nothing like the way
those fuzzy slippers make you feel, yeah
hey it takes a lot of shoes to be a girl
it takes a lot of sole to make it through this world
ain't no way to know how the day will unfurl
yeah it takes a lot of shoes
it takes a lot of shoes
oh it takes a lot of shoes
to be a girl
The first time Steve and I got together to write, I threw this idea out and he liked it. Much of what I pictured for the song came from one of my favorite childhood movies, “Annie”. I loved watching the little girls in the orphanage go wild! I was in awe of the scene for “It’s the Hard Knock Life”. That’s actually where the line ‘swing me from the chandelier’ came from. I thought it would be hilarious to imagine parents at home alone being bad like kids when no one's watching!
hey hon, it’s me, the boys have both gone camping for the night
then your mama wanted to take the girls, and i said it’s all right
well baby it just hit me, the kids are gone, the house is empty
honey fire up your truck, hurry home, let’s run amok
jump on the bed, trash all the toys
make a mess, make some noise
play the way we want to play when
it’s our turn for misbehaving
sugar me up, keep me up late
there’s no one ‘round to tell
cause we got the whole place to ourselves
oh oh, yeah
babe i say we break the rules, and have ourselves some fun
cause it’s been a long damn time, since we had some one on one
no hidin’ and no sneakin’, won’t worry ‘bout no one peekin’
we’ll get crazy and get loud, babe let’s let it all hang out
jump on the bed, trash all the toys
make a mess, make some noise
ain’t nobody gonna snitch if
we make a little mischief
sugar me up, keep me up late
there’s no one round to tell
cause we got the whole place to ourselves
you better play hard and don’t get tired
swing me from the chandelier
set the place on fire, yeah
we’ll get crazy and get loud
even if we have to lock them out
jump on the bed, drag out the toys
make a mess, make some noise
we got rid of everybody
we’re being bad, getting naughty
sugar me up, keep me up late
there’s no one ‘round to tell
cause we got the whole place baby
just you and me
we got the whole place to ourselves
mmm mmm mmmm, oh oh yeah yeah
hey, is this great or what? damn baby this place is a mess
somebody's gonna get a spankin' around here
hmmm, hmmmm, hmmmm, that was fun
Track 9 My Boy
Written by Jenny Casey
Fiddle Laura McGhee. All other instruments Steve Goodie.
A sad feeling came over me when my oldest son entered his senior year of high school. The thought of a child leaving home was very difficult for me. I sat on the porch one rainy afternoon and this song poured out of me. The night I played it for my son turned out to be a sweet, emotional moment between us that I’ll never forget.
you’ve got yourself a little place, you’re driving your own wheels
and i’m not washing clothes for you or cooking your meals
i always knew the day would come you’d take this step
but i can’t help feeling the emptiness
you’re almost a man going out in the world
gonna follow your dreams, maybe find you a girl
outgrew your shoes and clothes and toys
you’re almost a man, but you’re still my boy
you look just like your daddy did back when he was young
got the same strong will and ambition
it takes some getting used to not to see you everyday
hope you’ll call now and then to say you’re okay
you’re almost a man going out in the world
gonna follow your dreams, maybe find you a girl
outgrew your shoes and clothes and toys
you’re almost a man, but you’re still my boy
and just the other day we were tossing the ball
turn around and look up now, you’re six feet tall
but no matter how much bigger you are than me
i’ll still look at you and see my baby
you’re almost a man going out in the world
gonna follow your dreams, probably find you a girl
i saved a few shoes and clothes and toys
you’re almost a man, but you’re still my boy
Track 10 Thankful
Written by Jenny Casey
BGV Jenny Casey. Harmonica Chris 'freight train' Floyd. All other instruments Steve Goodie.
After moving to Nashville, we were so broke. I remember watching other teachers eat school cafeteria food everyday, knowing that I couldn’t afford that at the time. But when I started writing this song, I realized I’d rather be broke in Nashville chasing my dream than anywhere. At a Bluebird open mic, ‘Thankful’ became the first song I ever performed for myself on a guitar.
I got soup in my lunchbox
a slice of bread
and I got home sweet home
a little place to rest my head
though it just might seem
like i'm hangin' by a thread
I got something to be thankful for
oh oh I got family and I got friends
I got my job with a little paycheck comin' in
well I may not have everything
that I want for sure
I got something to be thankful for, oh yeah
got my hand me downs
my faded blued jeans
and this old brown couch
is wearin' at the seams
there ain't nothin' new
when I'm livin' in my means
but I got something to be thankful for
oh oh I got family and I got friends
I got my job with a little paycheck comin' in
well I may not have everything
that I want for sure
I got something to be thankful for, oh oh
why should I feel bad
I'm blessed with things that
my grandma never had
and I can't complain cause
I'm gettin' by
enjoyin' the important things in life
I got my worn down wheels
to get me where I go
and I can sing my songs
when I'm feeling low
and there is one thing
that I always know
I got something to be thankful for
oh oh I got family and I got friends
I got my job with a little paycheck comin' in
well I may not have everything
that I want for sure
I got something to be thankful for
oh oh I got family and I got friends
I got my job with a little paycheck comin' in
well I may not have everything
that I want for sure
I got something to be thankful for
well I may not have everything that I want for sure
but I got something to be thankful for
yeah I got something to be thankful for, oh yeah
Track 11 Woman
Written by Jenny Casey
BGV The Red Wine Effect. Piano Jenny Casey. All other instruments Steve Goodie.
Having children can cause some changes to your body, to say the least! I saw a facebook post showing a woman’s abdominal stretch marks that said, “Your body is not ruined -you’re are a tiger who earned her stripes.” The hook came to me on Drakes Creek Road on my way to work. To me, all women are heroes in some way, and no matter what our experiences, the ‘battle scars’ that we earn in life are what make us who we are.
these arms rocked my babies
my hands have seen some dirt
and these feet have put in overtime
until they hurt
I've done a world of cryin'
and I've laughed a million times
now my eyes tell the stories
and my mouth shows the lines
I got woman written all over me
and there's beauty runnin' deeper
than what you see
got these signs of age I'm not afraid
to wear proudly
I got woman written all over me
my skin's a little rougher
my back's a lot more tired
and this body's full of battle scars
there's no way to hide
my life has been a journey
and each day is like a gift
but I wouldn't trade a flaw
for all the life I've lived
I got woman written all over me
and I'm not apologizing
for what you see
got these signs of age I'm not afraid
to wear proudly
I got woman written all over me
well I'm not a perfect princess anymore
I'm not what I used to be at all
I'm so much more
I got woman written all over me
and there's beauty runnin' deeper
than what you see
got these signs of age I'm not afraid
to wear proudly
I got woman written all over me, yeah, oh
I got woman written all over me, yeah
Track 12 Forty
Written by Jenny Casey
BGV Jenny Casey. All instruments Steve Goodie.
I wrote this song to perform at my 40th birthday party. I worked on it while waiting in a building at UT during my son’s freshman orientation. When I was a teacher, I always told my students about losing the spelling bee, so they would remember not to put a ‘u’ in forty. This song is basically my life story. In a business where artists are getting younger and younger, I’m proud of the fact that I’ve had a little life experience!
i was eight years old at a spelling bee
and i was gettin' ready to win
so i stood on the stage confidently
in curls with my high-held chin
my turn came, they called the word out
and i spelled those letters loud and proud
turns out the damn thing had no u
and i learned right there one thing's true
forty is just another f word
well lordy, how can a number be so absurd
but I sure didn't let it wreck my day
it's a stupid spelling anyway
yeah forty is just another f word
all grown up I had a family
and then I started writin' songs
so we moved to Nashville, Tennessee
so I could be a country singin' mom
well I got a few years on Taylor Swift
Scotty McCreery and all those kids
well, I may not be wrinkle free
but a few gray hairs ain't stoppin' me
cause forty is just another f word
well lordy, it's the new thirty so I've heard
and I'm not gonna let it get in my way
I'll keep on climbin' up on a stage
cause forty is just another f word
well at our age the kids may say we're over the hill
but we're the ones who vote, drive, can get in a bar
and pay our own damn bills, yeah yeah yeah yeah
forty is just another f word
well lordy, i'm gonna keep on singin' and get heard
well you'll find my butt up on a stage
and you'll damn sure hear me say
that forty is just another f word
well forty is just another f word (and fifty)
hell forty is just another f word