Headlights on a Dirt Road

HEADLIGHTS ON A DIRT ROAD
© Jim Molinelli

[Verse 1]
The clock on the dash shows a quarter to eight
The radio’s playin' WRITE THIS DOWN by Strait
Sound of gravel crunchin’ under my tires
Countin’ phone poles between droopin’ wires
Windows open wide to the evening air
I’m thumping the wheel like it’s my snare
George starts the chorus, I lean on the gas
And I'm singin’ out loud to the windshield glass...

[Pre-Chorus]
Yeah, I'm outta’ tune, but right on the money
He keeps singin' away, but here's what's funny
I was already flying, already having a ball
Before this back-road epiphany hit me at all...

[Chorus]
Bouncin’ past seven miles of corn husks
Headlights on a dirt road brighten up the dusk
A dirty rooster-tail billows, and cicadas drone
I'm connected to life, not to a damn phone.
I love singin' along with any George Strait song
I'm such a lucky man to call this place home
Ain't a thing ‘bout it all that I'd rearrange
I love this life… and that won’t ever change!

[Verse 2]
The fences and fields hold their cattle and sheep
Most folks down in the valley already asleep
I pass the old red barn on Joe Miller’s place
With a dust-covered grin plastered right on my face
George winds it down with a steel guitar lick
The static comes through on the station I picked
I pull up the driveway and coast to a stop
And I sing the last line as the final notes drop.

[Chorus]
Bouncin’ past seven miles of corn husks
Headlights on a dirt road brighten up the dusk
A dirty rooster-tail billows, and cicadas drone
I'm connected to life, not to a damn phone.
I love singin' along with any George Strait song
I'm such a lucky man to call this place home
Ain't a thing ‘bout it all that I'd rearrange
I love this life… and that won’t ever change!

[Bridge]
Some people think you gotta travel real far
Or find who you are in a neon-lit bar
But the best kind of treasure ain’t in a vault
If I ain’t smiling, it’s my own damn fault!

[Chorus]
Bouncin’ past seven miles of corn husks
Headlights on a dirt road brighten up the dusk
A dirty rooster-tail billows, and cicadas drone
I'm connected to life, not to a damn phone.
I love singin' along with any George Strait song
I'm such a lucky man to call this place home
Ain't a thing ‘bout it all that I'd rearrange
I love this life… and that won’t ever change!

[Outtro]
Now the dashboard is dark,
but my heart is bright
As I shut the truck door
on this cool country night.
Yeah, I love this ol' place...
I ain't changing my zip code.
Gimme a little George Strait
and headlights on a dirt road...