We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Dark Horses: The Acoustic Sessions

by Todd Sterling

supported by
abilenejunction
abilenejunction thumbnail
/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $9.99 CAD  or more

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 4 Todd Sterling releases available on Bandcamp and save 50%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Beer Man, Dark Horses: The Acoustic Sessions, Pawnshop Guitar: A Poet's Prayer, and Road Songs. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      $15.49 CAD or more (50% OFF)

     

1.
I Write Songs 02:57
lyrics
buy track
I write songs Early in the morning After a cup of coffee When I'm all alone I write songs Songs about old lovers Songs about friends And the roads we travel on Some folks chase the wind I write songs I write songs On a new used guitar People seem to like 'em Some even sing alone I write songs Songs about redemption Songs about faith And the ones who stand strong Some folks change the world I write songs I can make you laugh; I can make you cry Make you forget your troubles for a little while I'm not a prophet, a poet, just an ordinary guy But when life turns on a dime I can help you say goodbye I write songs In a dog-eared notebook On a napkin in a cafe A computer or a phone I write songs Songs about heroes Songs about ghosts And the ones who don't come home Some folks work the frontlines I write songs I can make you laugh; I can make you cry Make you forget your troubles for a little while I'm not a prophet, a poet, just an ordinary guy But when life turns on a dime (x2) I can help you say goodbye I write songs
2.
El Camino 03:44
lyrics
buy track
I'm gonna drive this El Camino out past the edge of town Drink a few beers, smoke cigarettes and let my sorrows drown Then head back in to town I'll wake up early in the morning, drag my weary ass out of bed Wash my face and pull a comb through what's left of the hair on my head I look like the living dead It would take history's greatest writer To describe the ways in which I'm broken But the lines on my face tell the story better than Hemingway ever could I swear to God someday I'm gonna head out where the highway curves And drive this El Camino right off the end of the world Right off the end of the world A handful of pills and strong coffee will get me through the day After work I'll do whatever it takes to wash the pain of livin' away And keep the ghosts at bay It would take history's greatest writer To describe the ways in which I'm broken But the lines on my face tell the story better than Hemingway ever could I swear to God someday I'm gonna head out where the highway curves And drive this El Camino right off the end of the world Right off the end of the world It would take history's greatest writer To describe the ways in which I'm broken But the lines on my face tell the story better than Hemingway ever could I swear to God someday I'm gonna head out where the highway curves And drive this El Camino right off the end of the world I swear to God someday I'm gonna head out where the highway curves And drive this El Camino right off the end of the world Right off the end of the world
3.
Old Guitar 04:32
lyrics
buy track
If this old guitar could talk, it would have stories to tell Like the time it got stolen from the Royal Hotel I found it in a pawnshop with hardly a scratch Cost five-hundred dollars for me to get it back If this old guitar could talk, it would set the record straight About our years in Nashville, and the music we made I wore a hole in the sidewalk, down on music row They took a pound of my flesh, and nearly took my soul To some it may be nothing but strings and wood All these years it's been my best companion I've never had a woman, a drink or a drug That made me feel the way this old guitar does If this old guitar could talk, it would go on about the day I played it in the circle on the Grand Ole Opry stage I sang my song in the spotlight, I was gonna be a star But me and this old Gibson never made it that far To some it may be nothing but strings and wood All these years it's been my best companion I've never had a woman, a drink or a drug That made me feel the way this old guitar does If this old guitar could talk, I know what it would say About the miles we traveled in our workin' day I can't pick it like I used to, when I was a younger man But I still feel so alive when I hold it in my hand To some it may be nothing but strings and wood All these years it's been my best companion I've never had a woman, a drink or a drug That made me feel the way this old guitar does I've never had a woman, a drink or a drug That made me feel the way this old guitar does Nothing makes me feel the way this old guitar does
4.
The Night Shift 03:57
lyrics
buy track
Work all night and I sleep all day Got mouths to feed and bills to pay Days off I'm turnin' wrench on my old Ford Truck's got more miles than a roadhouse whore Hate the grind, but I'm used to it I work the night shift I work the night shift I work the night shift I work the night shift Married my high-school sweetheart in '05 Swore together forever 'til the day we died Built a two storey house on her daddy's land Still got callouses on my hands Haven't lived there in years, but I pay for it I work the night shift I work the night shift I work the night shift I work the night shift Bust my ass for a family I never see Work overtime six days a week Spill my sweat and blood on the factory floor And owe my soul to the devil and the bank on 4th Wasn't for my kids, I'd probably quit I work the night shift I work the night shift I work the night shift I work the night shift I work the night shift I work the night shift It's all bullshit I work the night shift
5.
The Gunfighter 03:49
lyrics
buy track
Somewhere south of heaven, across the Rio Grande Is where I'll draw my last breath and make my final stand Six riders closing in on me, a bullet in my side I came into this world a curse, and I'm cursed until I die Here I am, I'm a hunted man Here I am, I'm a hunted man My father was an outlaw, I was born an outlaw's son At the right hand of the devil, in the valley of the gun I shot and killed my first man 'fore I'd barely even shaved He drew down on me and I put him in the grave Here I am, I'm a hunted man Here I am, I'm a hunted man Three days past I walked freely, swallowed up in sin At a house of ill-repute, holding an Ace and four Kings The badge across the table said he didn't like my luck He reached for his pistol but it never felt his touch Here I am, I'm a hunted man Here I am, I'm a hunted man There's always another life to take The thirst for blood is never slaked In every town a tombstone with my name The deed to my soul the price I've paid I fire the last of my bullets, while the vultures overhead Wait for me to join the others in the land of the dead In the theatre of the damned the assembled require a show Every one loves a gunfight, but the gunfighter always dies alone
6.
Dark Horses 04:47
lyrics
buy track
I remember like it was yesterday Two hearts on fire outside Licks' Cafe You were standing with your friends Doin' your best to pretend you didn't know me Took all I had to play it cool My buddies laughed and said I was a fool To think a girl like you would ever be Caught dead with a guy like me We were dark horses (x2) Dark horses runnin' into the wind The soundtrack of life turned up to ten Dark horses; dark horses We were wild and we were free It was us against the world Dark horses; dark horses We were dark horses It was a secret we couldn't keep I was in love with you; and you with me Your folks said it was a big mistake A chance you couldn't take; you took anyway We ran off undercover of the night In a beat up Ford with a busted taillight Too young to know but we believed We'd make it on a wing, a prayer & a dream We were dark horses (x2) Dark horses runnin' into the wind The soundtrack of life turned up to ten Dark horses; dark horses We were wild and we were free It was us against the world Dark horses; dark horses We were dark horses They said it wouldn't last long After all these years we're still goin' strong Dark horses; dark horses We were dark horses (x2) Dark horses runnin' into the wind The soundtrack of life turned up to ten Dark horses; dark horses We were wild and we were free It was us against the world Dark horses; dark horses
7.
Demons 04:11
lyrics
buy track
Seems like yesterday I was twenty-five Thundering down River Road, glad to be alive Lived my '20s like a bullet from an outlaw's gun The grave and the devil you can never outrun I've got my demons, I've got my demons I've got my demons, demons chasing me I've got my demons, I've got my demons I've got my demons, they won't let me be Woke to grey in my beard & red in my eyes Ain't it funny how fast the years slip by Too old to die young, too young to feel old A black heart inside a cage of bone I've got my demons, I've got my demons I've got my demons, demons chasing me I've got my demons, I've got my demons I've got my demons, they won't let me be The cross I bear is the cross I bear The cross I bear is the cross I bear The cross I bear is the cross I bear It's heavy but it's lighter than a crown of thorns It's heavy but it's lighter than a crown of thorns I'm closer to the end than a week ago The hands of time will free my soul Never believed in God until I met his Son I'm goin' back to the dirt from where I come I've got my demons, I've got my demons I've got my demons, demons chasing me I've got my demons, I've got my demons I've got my demons, they won't let me be The cross I bear is the cross I bear The cross I bear is the cross I bear The cross I bear is the cross I bear It's heavy but it's lighter than a crown of thorns It's heavy but it's lighter than a crown of thorns Seems like yesterday I was twenty-five Thundering down River Road, glad to be alive Lived my '20s like a bullet from an outlaw's gun The grave and the devil you can never outrun X3
8.
Never Grow Old 03:07
lyrics
buy track
Say a prayer tonight for the sons and the daughters The ones who never came home The lost, the forsaken, the souls that were taken Too soon and will never grow old The lost, the forsaken, the souls that were taken Too soon and will never grow old Son, my son it's your face I see when I close my eyes each night Flesh of my flesh, blood of my blood If I could I'd trade your life for mine x2 Say a prayer tonight for the sons and the daughters The ones who never came home The lost, the forsaken, the souls that were taken Too soon and will never grow old The lost, the forsaken, the souls that were taken Too soon and will never grow old Daughter, my daughter it's your voice I hear Echo inside of my own Flesh of my flesh, blood of my blood losing you turned my heart to stone x2 So, say a prayer tonight for the sons and the daughters The ones who never came home The lost, the forsaken, the souls that were taken Too soon and will never grow old The lost, the forsaken, the souls that were taken Too soon and will never grow old I wait for the day when I'll see you again My sorrow constant and cold Soon I'll return to the house of our father A place where we'll never grow old Soon I'll return to the house of our father A place where we'll never grow old
9.
Love In A Hurricane 03:27
lyrics
buy track
Leon was a sailor who never went to see Lucinda was his bride, and they were happy as can be He swept and moped the floors at the Labour Union Hall Kept pictures of the big boats taped up on the wall And then one day the water came and washed it all away Lucinda bowed her head and she began to pray She said, “The Lord he giveth, and he taketh away” And they made love in a hurricane Now, Leon loved lucinda more than life itself And he made her a promise, one day they'd own a house It wasn't much to look at, but it was there's and there's alone Lucinda turned a rundown shack into a family home And then one day the water came and washed it all away Lucinda bowed her head and she began to pray She said, “The Lord he giveth, and he taketh away” And they made love in a hurricane Some folks blamed the Devil Some blamed the government Some blamed God, and others wondered where the money went But one man and one woman were thankful they'd been saved And they made love in a Hurricane Yeah, they made love in a hurricane Leon was a sailor who never went to see Lucinda was his bride and they were happy as can be
10.
Promised Land 04:58
lyrics
buy track
I've got one hand in my lap, and one on the wheel The sirens are wailing, I know they're coming for me I've been a law-abiding citizen all of my life But something snapped inside of me earlier tonight There's no turning back, I'm headed for the promised land I've got my finger on the trigger, and blood on my hands It wasn't long ago had me a pretty good life A house and a job and a beautiful wife We tried to hold on thru the hard times, but the strain was too much Now I'm all alone on the lamb in a stolen pickup truck There's no turning back, I'm headed for the promised land I've got my finger on the trigger and blood on my hands Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm When they took my job, they cut out a piece of my soul When the darkness took her, it put us both in a hole Had nothing left to lose when I robbed that liquor store Shot the clerk in the chest, and left him dying on the floor There's no turning back, I'm headed for the promised land I've got my finger on the trigger and blood on my hands Now I'm praying to a God I ain't even sure exists Let me make it to the river, and over the bridge I've got to see her one last time, and say goodbye I hope she can understand the reason why I've got my finger on the trigger, and blood on my hands And a one way ticket tonight to the promised land I've got my finger on the trigger, and blood on my hands And a one way ticket tonight to the promised land
11.
Alligator Shoes 03:46
lyrics
buy track
I turned off the mainstream news Liars lie and rarely tell the truth Deceit the poison that they use Gonna buy me a pair of alligator shoes When life hits hard, we all bruise Careful with the friends you choose When sailing on a ship of fools Be sure to bring your alligator shoes Alligator shoes, alligator shoes I'm weary from these tombstone blues Alligator shoes, alligator shoes Dress me up in a pinstripe suit And bury me in my alligator shoes Beware the triple six tattoo, the man Who strikes the match & lights the fuse If you see him in his graveyard boots Ya better put on your alligator shoes Alligator shoes, alligator shoes I'm weary from these tombstone blues Alligator shoes, alligator shoes Dress me up in a pinstripe suit And bury me in my alligator shoes Alligator shoes, alligator shoes I'm weary from these tombstone blues Alligator shoes, alligator shoes Dress me up in a pinstripe suit And bury me in my alligator shoes Alligator shoes, alligator shoes I'm weary from these tombstone blues Alligator shoes, alligator shoes Dress me up in a pinstripe suit And bury me in my alligator shoes Dress me up in a pinstripe suit And bury me in my alligator shoes

about

“I’ve played in bands over the years, but there’s nothing more satisfying than performing solo/acoustic. It doesn’t get much rawer than one guitar and one voice. The songs on this CD are bare bones; presented in work tape/demo form. In a full band session this is the way the players would hear them for the first time. My goal was to capture the sound of me sitting in a room playing and singing. This kind of sparse collection may not resonate with everyone, but for those of you who do get it (and maybe even find yourself in the grooves of some of the songs), this album is for you.” — Todd Sterling

credits

released February 1, 2021

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Todd Sterling image

Todd Sterling Olds, Alberta

With his 2014 debut Road Songs, singer-songwriter Todd Sterling showcased the honky tonk side of his personality.

2017’s Pawnshop Guitar: A Poet’s Prayer found the singer-songwriter straddling the world’s of country and rock.

Fast forward to 2020. Sterling digs even deeper in the creative dirt for Dark Horses: The Acoustic Sessions. A sparse collection – one guitar/one voice. ... more

contact / help

Contact Todd Sterling

Streaming and
Download help

Report this album or account

Todd Sterling recommends:

If you like Todd Sterling, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring Riley Pinkerton (aka The Rat Queen) from the theatrical NYC rockers, Castle Rat.
listen now