Oh, yeah--this one's my Favorite so far.
I'm not alone in having collaborated with Bill White here. I'm seeing a lot of songs that his lyrics inspired in other musicians. He and I collaborated once before on a song that, I believe, is one of our best for each of us.
Bill and I are pretty "contemporary" age-wise (although MUCH younger than the gentleman pictured in the song). Consequently, he and I both have some "Karens" in our past, I'm sure, since that was a popular name for our generation. (As was "Jerry"--don't see that much any more. Sigh...)
And as a consequence, misbehaving women of our generation have been euphemized as "Karens"--being the female equivalent, more or less, of "OK, Boomer..."
I myself have had a couple of pretty much lifelong loves named "Karen". (And where are they now? Sigh...) Consequently, these lyrics really spoke to me--as Bill's lyrics always do.
Nice job per usual, Bill--I hope I've done you proud!
<3
KAREN, MY HEART ACHES FOR YOU
Lyrics by Bill White
Music and Vocal
By
Jerry Pettit
My life is empty
My children grown
And my wife despises me.
Old friends falling
With each gust of wind
Like leaves from a tree.
KAREN, MY HEART ACHES FOR YOU
And for our carefree days.
I never told you how I loved you
Though I loved you in every way.
I dream of returning
To places where
We harmonized,
But you have left
Those places,
And god help me, so have I.
KAREN, MY HEART ACHES FOR YOU
And for our carefree days.
I never told you how I loved you
Though I loved you in every way.
PEDAL STEEL SOLO
Each time a magician
Flicks his wrist
It becomes clear
That I no longer exist
KAREN, MY HEART ACHES FOR YOU
And for our carefree days.
I never told you how I loved you
Though I loved you in every way.
© 2022, Bill White & Jerry Pettit
@timfatchen Mar 2022
A solid and nostalgic rock ballad, Jerry. I hadn't listened to this but heard part of the backstory from Bill. The lyric puts it well and the nostalgic and accepting/despairing vocal rings true. The might-have-beens...the failure to move...in many respects it's a very British thing too, so much reserve and diffidence betraying.
@leka Mar 2022
Wonderful ballad. Good composition & lyrics. Excellent work on the slide guitar.
@greengrassgirl Mar 2022
What a great collab, and so relatable! The music is the perfect fit for Bill's lyrics and the vocal is spot on! (I especially liked, "My wife despises me!")
@audrey Mar 2022
A wonderful love song with a sweet longing lyric. I like the slow steady tempo, and the sliding guitar. They suit the song well. Well sung too. A very enjoyable listen.
@richaaaay Feb 2022
Heartfelt lyrics wonderfully brought to life. Well done Bill & Jerry.
@markg Feb 2022
Beautiful song. Got me thinking about old loves. Then I remembered, they are old now too. Oh, well, still love the memories.
@gwyn1234 Feb 2022
A solid gold Jerry and Bill collab! Such unflinchingly heartrending lyrics from Bill as usual and such a supremely executed musical track as per by Jerry...wonderful stuff!
@katestantonsings Feb 2022
Yep! Those lyrics cut — just what I love from Bill’s lyrics. Jerry, your vocals sound so lovely here. The pedal steel solo is sweet! I agree with @jonmeta get this on the radio!
@coolparadiso Feb 2022
you could be a John here! and for the record i am between your ages! Karen is a special term in Aus with a very different connotation. It is a good lyric and well delivered!
@lyricslinger Feb 2022
This is really good. Great writing and music but also emotionally feels genuine.
@berni1954 Feb 2022
Wow! Real early sixties ballad feel to this. Perfect for this narrator's "Look back in Nostalgia".
@musicsongwriter Feb 2022
Very beautiful song and collaboration. Sad, loving, sweet and thoughtful lyrics and music. Gorgeous vocals and playing. Instant classic! Absolutely love it.
@jibbidy34 Feb 2022
Wonderful collab…And that pedal steel solo… phewee! Yes baby names have changed massively haven’t they? I only know 2 Karen’s …both of an older generation
@jonmeta Feb 2022
This is like an Elvis classic. The lyrics are heartbreaking and the melody is simple perfection, using basic register changes to highlight the emotions and never putting a note wrong. The harmonies are lovely icing on a perfect gem of a cake. This is one of my FAWM favourites so far.
Edit: Hey, @coolparadiso , this is one for your show, for sure!
@davidtaro Feb 2022
Goodness those opening lines hit hard! Just very matter of fact, and very melancholy. Great lyrics. And then Jerry brings the musical mojo - love some of those pretty resolutions on the progressions, classic Jerry! I also v much enjoyed the pedal steel solo :)
@crutherford Feb 2022
what a fabulous voice!
absolutely gorgeous.
i felt every word of this.
my favourite lines:
Each time a magician
Flicks his wrist
It becomes clear
That I no longer exist
damn - this was a great collaboration.
bravo
@sbs2018 Feb 2022
Lovely melody - your vocals match the loveliness of the lyrics. This may be one of my favorites. Speaking of the name Karen, I used to play a little game with my much younger (10 years ) sister where I (Kathy) pretended I had a twin named Karen. Lol! So… not really a fan of this whole Karen thing.
@billwhite51 Feb 2022
thank you jerry for doing such a beau tiful job. i couldnt have wished for any thing better......and so, here is your introduction to my karen...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoClNFGqcWk&ab_channel=KarenEgan
@guatecoop Feb 2022
Wow….timeless. Great lyrics and a melody that lifts them. The pedal steel is an excellent addition. The meandering piano plays so well off of the acoustic. Well, that’s a classic already. Well done to the both of you!
@cindyrella Feb 2022
Yay! A Collab with two of my favorites! This is so wonderful, moving, and just good! I love everything about it!