Story
After I moved to Nashville, I started a songwriting club where I offered up a song prompt on Sunday, and the group had two weeks to email their finished song using that prompted phrase somewhere within it. If a club member didn’t submit a song, they were out.
This song title was one of those prompted phrases. For me, it conjured a sense of lost innocence. “When these old habits start to do themselves, I don’t enjoy them any more—far as I can tell.” Anne envisioned this one as a jazz trio piece, with Jim Hoke’s incredible flute touches.
Lyrics
Written by Jesse Correll
© Indigo & Silk Songs 222 (ASCAP)
Dusty sweetness, where’d you go?
Hidden places I don’t show?
Moody river, swollen tide
Overflowing on all sides
Wanna be better than I am now
A better man somehow
Wanna be better than I am now
I just can’t right now
Whiskey temptress making eyes
Now she comforts me most nights
Held forgiveness, heavy load
I can’t carry it no more
Wanna be better than I am now
A better man somehow
Wanna be better than I am now
I just can’t right now
When these old habits start to do themselves
I don’t enjoy them
Any more far as I can tell
Where is that good little boy I used to be?
Wanna be better, better, better
A better man somehow
Wanna be better, better, better
I just can’t right now
Have I forgotten how?
Dusty sweetness, where’d you go?