Story Behind The Song

I wrote "Your Used to Be" after we were well into the process of recording the album. Without fail, every time I would play it in a live show, at least one person would ask me if it was going to be on the upcoming CD. After this happened a few times, I decided that it needed to be on the album in one way, shape, or form. I quickly came up with the idea of recording an acoustic version of the song for "Down The Road," and tagging the album with it. If you're looking for sunshine and lollipops, they ain't included on this one--it's a bonafide heart-ripper-outer. One of my wife's friends always requests it now, and she refers to it as the "coulda, woulda, shoulda" song! I played this at a recent show, and one of my friends that was there just recently went through a divorce, and his ex-wife is with somebody else. I didn't think about it until about 1/2 way through the song.....and then it hit me like a ton of bricks--to the point where it was difficult to even finish the song. It's a very honest song about a guy that is struggling after he and his wife divorce, and then he sees her after "X" amount of time has passed.....and he sees her new wedding band. His reaction is to turn tail and run, while she feels the need to explain to him that she does still love him, but has, in fact, moved on with her life since the divorce. Wow--I need a hug--how about you?!

Lyrics

Well, it's sure good to see you
Yeah, it's been a while, I know
I'm living in the city now
Just a few blocks down the road

I see something's different
Yeah, that's a beautiful band
But, it's shocking how much it looks
Like the one I placed on your hand

I'm sorry, but I've really got to go
'Cause if I stand here much longer, you're gonna know

Sometimes at night, when I lie awake
I can still feel your touch, and I can still see your face
And I fight with the past, and my memories
And I deal with the fact that I'm your used to be

As for me, I'm still single
There's no new "Mrs. Right"
But I guess it's hard to meet someone
When you stay at home every night

Like I said before, I've really got to run
This is all just so painful, because I haven't moved on

Sometimes at night, when I lie awake
I can still feel your touch, and I can still see your face
And I fight with the past, and my memories
And I deal with the fact that I'm your used to be

Just as I am turning 'round to leave
You grab me by the hand, and you whisper this to me

Sometimes at night, when I lie awake
I can still feel your touch, I can still see your face
And though I'm moving on, you're still part of me...

Sometimes at night, when I lie awake
I can still feel your touch, and I can still see your face
And I fight with the past, and my memories
And I deal with the fact
Oh, we can't take it back
I'm your used to be

Well, I wondered if I'd ever see you again
And now that I have, I'm remembering when
We were so much in love, so true and so strong
But it all slipped away, where did we go wrong?

I've been crying inside, now I'm crying out loud
But nobody hears, I'm alone in this crowd
I loved what we had, and I loved you with me
But, it all was sent back, I'm just your used to be

Your used to be