someone somewhere tonight . . . .

This is a song written by a songwriter I met while I lived in Nashville several years ago. I loved it there in nashville . . . . you would go out any night of the week and hear real music . . . . stripped down to its soul in the form of a song and a guitar or a piano. Of course, some of the songs were not good but it was the fact that people were trying that was so contagious – disturbing – and necessary.

The first time I met Walt Wilkins was at 3rd and Lindsley probably around 2003 . . . . I’m fond of this club for many important memories in my life. I heard him play this song in a songwriter round and it was like time completely stopped – we were all there in the crystal clear presence of a moment of truth. It’s hard to explain really, but every time I’ve heard him play it live I get chills.

I used to think this would be a really ‘successful’ song and maybe it will be someday but it doesn’t really matter. It’s just beautiful and universal and of course I guess it was also the way he sang it . . . . as if it were sacred. To be honest, the one form of music I honestly hate most is Christian music. Shit, I’m sorry, I guess that’s mean but I just can’t do it . . . . it’s kind of a joke among good friends. But if I did still go to church on Sunday (instead of every day of the week) this is what I would want to hear.

Funny, I just looked it up on itunes and it looks like pam tillis and Kenny Rodgers have since recorded it. Good for you Walt – that’s fucking great! I knew it years ago and I still like your version the best.

Someone somewhere tonight
Is taking their first steps
Letting go of the hands that held them
And trusting themselves
And somewhere somewhere tonight
Is hearing their last rites
And praying with all their might
That there's something else.

So, babe, lie down here beside me
Let's lie real still
And tell me you love me
And you always will.

Someone somewhere tonight
Is tasting their first kiss
Whispering softly this wish
For this night to go on
While someone somewhere tonight
Is holding on to a bottle
Pouring one more and hoping that God will
Get them through till the dawn.

So, babe, lie down here beside me
And let's lie real still
And tell me you love me
And you always will.

Someone somewhere tonight
Is stuck in a prison
Breathing but just barely living
Behind walls of their own
While someone somewhere tonight
Just found their own wings
found some beauty, some truth, found some meaning
in spite of it all.

So, babe, lie down here beside me
And let's lie real still
And tell me you love me
And you always will.

And you always will...