Lyrics from Lightning Stills - Debut S/T LP
Gas Me Up
Lyrics by Craig Fort
The night is young and so are we. I’m gonna go until I can’t see. My motor revs, my tank is full, but in the morning I’ll pay the toll.
Gas me up full of lead. Kickstart the fires inside my head. Grab that key and turn me on. Riding the rails until I’m gone.Gas me up one more time. Fill my tank until it’s primed.
The party’s here in the car, parked right outside the bar. Crank those tunes until we’re done. Then close on up that bag of fun.
We go back in — our heads are clear. Got us grinnin’ ear to ear. Find our seat and belly up. Have that bartender fill our cups.
Song Story
Gas Me Up is a song about excess. My drug of choice was more. It didn’t matter what it was. If I was drinking, I wanted to drink more. So I would find something else to help me do that. Then I would want to do more of the help.
I basically lived at the bar I worked at for ten years. Most nights, we went pretty hard. When you’re at a bar for that length of time, there are lots of trips out to the car in between rounds with your buddies. Sometimes it was for a pick-me-up, sometimes it was to get positive, and sometimes it was to put ears on a new song that someone was working on. Then you’d go back in, and everyone would get another round of beer and shots.
Despite the reason for the walk, there were a lot of great times and good talks just sitting in a car in a bar parking lot between drinks.
The “who-ahh” hoot at the end of the song was a tip of the hat to my grandpa, who had recently passed before we recorded it. He gave me my first guitar and a Fender amp that no teenager had any business owning. He was also the frontman of a small-town country band named “The Junkyard Dogs.” After he played a real barn burner, he would let out a very satisfied-sounding “who-ahh!”
He’s Not Heavy, He’s My Dealer
Lyrics by Craig Fort
Here I am at the bar and my drinking’s gone too far. All my cash I give to him in a fair trade for some sin. That line is long, it leads right to my face. And when the cash is gone, I’ll still find a way.
He ain’t heavy — he’s my dealer. The one who fuels my sleepless nights. To him I gave it all, and then I had a ball. We take a round of shots, 2 oz to clear my thoughts. This weight causes pain… but he’ll keep me sane.
Here he comes right on time. Laying down another line. He’s my hero, he’ll save the day, but in the end I’ll have to pay.
Then, I had a ball. Then, we had a ball.
Song Story
I would always tell myself, “I’m not gonna do any tonight.” Once I got to the bar, it was like my mind just said, “Bullshit,” and started ordering drinks one after another. That would get me to the point where I would need a little nose booze to mix with my booze booze in order to keep going. Luckily, my dealer was basically my roommate at the bar, so access and temptation were always there.
With me handing my whole paycheck over to him, along with a bunch of other regulars doing the same, we helped secure his financial independence. He knew what he was doing, though. He would buy us all tons of shots to get us hammered, so we needed to buy something to keep us going. It was a vicious cycle that the whole gang of us were caught up in.
Drunker Than Me
Lyrics by Craig Fort
I bought a bottle just yesterday. I took a swig and put it away. I went to my job and worked all day, so I could deposit my hard-earned pay. I came home ready to drink. Opened the cabinet above the sink. To my surprise, the bottle was gone, and you’re out back, face down in the lawn.
You’re drunker than me. What a life to lead. I thought I had problems, but you’ve got me beat. My feet are sore and you’re on the floor. Fueling your tank won’t happen anymore. It’s time for me to leave, ’cause you’re drunker than me.
I’m working hard to pay the bills. You’ve got no money, but you filled your pills. With crimson eyes, it’s hard to see that you’ve had your fill, and you’re drunker than me. You were my rock, but it’s time to start skippin’. ’Cause of those evil spirits that you’ve been sippin’. When we fight, I have to plead for you to slow down, ’cause you’re drunker than me.
Song Story
“Drunker Than Me” isn’t necessarily a finger-pointing song. It’s about a severe alcoholic/addict being in a relationship with another severe alcoholic/addict and the struggles that come along with that. In the beginning, it seems like a match made in heaven because you’re both partying and having a great time. Eventually, the two people have the same polarity and begin pushing each other away like magnets. There’s also a dilemma there because not only are you frustrated that you have to deal with this, but somewhere in the back of your head, you’re also somewhat jealous that it’s not you who is piss-drunk. Addiction is wild.
Rambled Out
Lyrics by Craig Fort
I’ve been up and down these old highways. Where I land is where I stay. I don’t wanna choose a different route — I wanna rest; I’m all rambled out.
I’m all rambled out, like a worn-out song — one that’s been playin’ for far too long. I’ve seen it all, I have no doubt, so I gotta sit down; I’m all rambled out.
You asked me once to be your guide. You asked me twice to give you a ride. If you ask me again, I’m gonna shout, “Leave me alone — I’m all rambled out.”
I’ve seen all the states, been to each city; some were real nice and some a little gritty. But I’m staying here and planting these feet — good luck getting me out of this seat.
Are you lookin’ to find your way, my friend? I’ll have you know I’ve reached my end. Not gonna hold your hand like some Boy Scout — I’m folding my flag; I’m all rambled out.
Song Story
“Rambled Out” is a song about fighting an uphill battle against a blind money train for years, and feeling like it’s never going to end. When you can’t make sense of what’s going on because it just doesn’t make sense, you can’t give up. You just have to put your head down, keep going, and fight the good fight, hoping justice comes at some point. You’re just so tired, though.
My Mama Wants a Love Song
Lyrics by Craig Fort
My mom — she called me the other day. Said she’s sick of hearing about cocaine. Heartache and whisky are all I say, and it’s time to write a love song without the pain.
My momma wants a love song, but where do I start? I’ve had me a life full of broken hearts. Hurt and booze is all I know — where do I start and where would it go?
I’d pick up that pen and let it flow, something different than booze and blow. A catchy tune that shines a light. Something to keep on fighting the fight. But I’d be afraid of what might come, ’cause they’re too cheesy and I’m too numb.
Song Story
My mom actually called me once and pleaded with me to knock it off already with the drinking and drugging lyrics. She said I should write a nice love song. As I was sitting there feeling uncomfortable about making myself that vulnerable at the time, I realized this is what I should be writing about. It wasn’t intentionally written to be a love song. It was written about how tough, awkward, and uneasy it felt for me to write a love song in that moment.
When I made the music video, though, it ended up turning into more of a love song for my mom after all.
Spirits
Lyrics by Craig Fort
I gotta run away and make it fast. These ghouls keep on digging up my past. I’ve never been a God-fearing man, but there’s a dark soul inside this can. Someone call a priest ’cause I need help. There’s spirits right here sitting on the shelf, watching and haunting my every move, laughing at me with something to prove. Father, help me, I must be possessed. Lyin’ in bed all day, and I can’t get dressed. Taking sips, forgetting to pray… won’t ya help me chase these spirits away?
I used to live life high as the clouds, but now I’ve got this bottle weighing me down. I’m so low, I oughtta get up, I oughtta, but first I’ll fill this cup. Time to pull off their sheets, get back on my feet. Instead of three sheets to the wind, follow the clues, get rid of my blues, without causing any sins.
There’s a devil over there giving me hell, twistin’ his moustache and wagging his tail. Lord, I’m sure his eyes are on me. I’m praying for him to set me free.
C’mon and help me chase these spirits away.
Song Story
“Spirits” is a song about the times when I would become a recluse. I wouldn’t answer phone calls, texts, or the door. I would just hide in my house or basement with this awful feeling of dread that I couldn’t shake. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. All I wanted to do was drink and make myself numb.
The drinking, unfortunately, was what was making me depressed and not want to talk to anyone. I think it was because I was ashamed of how much I was drinking, which in turn made me drink more and hide more. Sometimes I would even look at the situation and realize that I was not in a good spot. I didn’t like where I was at, and I didn’t want to be there, but I also didn’t want to change my consumption. So I kept stepping on the rake.
Willie and the Ghost
Lyrics by Craig Fort
In a dusty old town where legends are born, lived a man named Willie whose heart was torn. He walked a thin line between heaven and hell; whisky was his poison, one he knew too well.
Willie and the ghost, they danced through the night, battling their demons, putting up a fight. He left that bottle — a promise he would keep — but the ghost of his past still haunted his sleep.
Those wild whisky nights became tales of the past. With each new step, his strength grew fast. But echoes of regret, they whisper in his ear, as memories and shadows brought him to tears. The man in the mirror, one he barely knew. Haunted by choices and the pain he went through. But a glimmer of hope burned deep in his soul: a chance for redemption, to finally make him whole.
Guitar in his hands and heart on his sleeve, Willie found comfort in songs that breathe. He poured out his troubles like the bottle that night — an outlaw’s redemption through songs of his life.
Song Story
I’ve been at my current job for twelve years. There were two security guards there that we nicknamed “Willie” and “The Ghost” because of their appearances and behavior. I always wanted to use those names as a song title, so I put them in my pocket.
One day, I was dealing with some anxiety about who knows what, and I started thinking about the ghosts of my past. Sometimes things from that time will haunt you well after you’ve made amends. This song is about that struggle — to keep fighting the good fight and keep your head up. To keep looking forward and not back, no matter how difficult it gets, while also knowing you can’t fall back on alcohol like you used to.
Closed Down the Bar
Lyrics by Craig Fort
Well, I closed down the bar when I quit drinking. Their profits fell ’cause their sales were sinking. They lost that club while they were blinking, ’cause I closed down the bar when I quit drinking.
The liquor store, I heard it burned. And the moonshine still has overturned. That dark alley’s been dead for days, and the grocery store only sells NAs. The beer garden has overgrown, and my drinking buddies have all gone home. The VFW, it has no power, and the clock on the wall lost its happy hour.
It’s better now than it was back then, even though I’m in bed by ten. My head is clear and my eyes are wide, but the bar is sad ’cause the well has dried.
Well, I closed down the bar when I quit drinking. Their ship went down ’cause their sales were sinking. They lost the club while they were blinking, ’cause I closed down the bar when I quit drinking.
Song Story
October 17, 2023. I was at a movie theater with my wife seeing Still Playin’ Possum: Music and Memories of George Jones. In between songs, they would tell tales, and they mentioned Mr. Jones closing down a bar. In my head, I instantly joked, “Yeah, I closed down the bar… when I quit drinking.” It was like a Dewey Cox moment. All these ideas for lyrics started pouring into my head like the tap was flowin’. The film was great, and we stayed till the end, but I couldn’t wait to get home. I was trying to be discreet and put notes in my phone as they came. Once I got home, it was done in five minutes.