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Hard to Please

by The Black Lillies

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1.
Music by Cruz Contreras and Bowman Townsend Lyrics by Cruz Contreras I've been working my fingers to the bone Everyday one more day done gone Show me a sign so that I can see That the sun's gonna shine one day on me We got a long way to go and a short time to get there Get your foot in the door, don't just sit there I don't need ya but I want ya and I wish that you could see Chorus You’re hard to please, so hard to please Ain't nothin ever good enough for you You got me down on my knees You gonna have your way no matter which way Say whatever you're gonna say ... You’re hard to please Well it's a big old world with lots of folks in it Some take take, some gonna give it At the end of the day it's all about the same Ain't nobody else that you can blame For your own damn troubles and the way ya go Buck up now you got a long ways home It's like I said when you end up dead There's no farther to go Chorus You’re hard to please, so hard to please Ain't nothin ever good enough for you You got me down on my knees You gonna have your way no matter which way Say whatever you're gonna say ... You’re hard to please Tell me once more so I can hear All the things you know all the things you fear Do what you want cause at the end of the day You know just what I'll say... You’re hard to please (4x) Chorus You’re hard to please, so hard to please Ain't nothin ever good enough for you You got me down on my knees You gonna have your way no matter which way Say whatever you're gonna say ... You’re hard to please You’re hard to please...
2.
Music and lyrics by Cruz Contreras Good love gone, I never felt so low So I set out on a trail of woe Anybody got in my way Take it or leave it nothing more to say Mama sure wouldn’t be proud of me I knew better though I could not see All the angels said now he’s hell bent Steady your wings and let’s make a bet Here’s a guy that thinks he’s got it made Drinkin’ rye whiskey in the midnight shade Take one down pass it around Company and misery meet downtown That’s the way it goes down (2x) Staring at the phone but it don’t make a sound There’s a picture of a love left town She’s probably with him getting me back How could I blame her, it’s a two way track Blame it on love blame it on fate Blame it on the one that you’d love to hate But you can’t so you won’t so you just forgive There’s a better way to learn and live That’s the way it goes down (3x) If I had it all to do it over again I wouldn’t change much but the shape I’m in And I’d hold your hand and never let go Stand up proud … And if I had it all to do it over again I wouldn’t change much but the shape I’m in And I’d hold your hand and never let go Stand up proud so everyone would know (2x) That’s the way it goes down (x6)
3.
Mercy 04:15
Music and lyrics by Cruz Contreras Oh darling, oh darling I am calling out your name And I’ve got a feeling, mighty revealing That your tender heart feels the same But it ain’t easy, no it ain’t easy For a grown man to confide That I need your love Mmm … flesh and blood That’s why I’m calling, calling on you …. And your mercy Sweet mercy Send it down the line, Oh right on time You know you do it for me Yes you build me up And you fill my cup With your mercy Oh darling, yes darling I can hear you calling out my name And it sounds so good, every time we meet Like a rollin’ melody you’ve got a hold on me Still it ain’t easy, no it ain’t easy For a grown woman to confide That I need your love Mmm … flesh and blood That’s why I’m calling, calling on you Oh darlin’, only you can rescue me I am calling, calling down on bended knee Wondering, wondering when will we arrive Believing and seeing from that love look in your eye Oh mercy Sweet mercy Send it down the line Oh right on time You know you do it for me Yes you build me up And you fill my cup With your mercy
4.
Music and lyrics by Cruz Contreras And the first time that I saw your smile I knew in a moment that I’d walk any mile And I never, no, no, no, how could I have known That your love would be waiting at the end of a never ending road You give me such a hard, hard time Never felt such cold inside Tell me, where is my pride You know it ain’t right No, no, no it ain’t right And the next time that I touched your skin I knew that good love of ours, oh, it would never end And I never, no, no, no how could I have known That your love like a flower would be wilting, got me feelin oh so low You give me such a hard, hard time Never felt such cold inside Tell me, where is my pride You know it ain’t right No, no, no, no it ain’t right And the last time that I saw your eyes They say there’s nothing to do nothing to say, don’t even try Oh, but I should have known Oh, no, no I should have known Love like yours, slamming doors Gonna leave a woman out in the cold You give me such a hard, hard time Never felt such cold inside Tell me, where is my pride You know it ain’t right No, no, no, no it ain’t right You know it ain’t right No, no, no, no it ain’t right
5.
Music and lyrics by Cruz Contreras Darlin’ Sarah, you know I'm leaving I'm 21 and bound to roam I've got a pistol and a greenback dollar Fare thee well, I'll ride alone Willie my darlin’, don't leave me standing You know I'll gladly be your bride I've got a dagger and a silver dollar Ride away and you're bound to die Love it changes like the seasons Steal your heart like an old freight train Leaves a young heart cold and wanting Comes and goes like a summer rain Darlin’ Willie come down with me To the river...one last time I've got treasures for you only Pleasures for you there to find Oh dear Sarah, you know I love you In your trust I do reside I'll go with you down to the river Take my hand, you'll be my guide Love it changes like the seasons Steal your heart like an old freight train Leaves a young heart cold and wanting Comes and goes like a summer rain Darlin’ Willie, take my hand now Let's go down to the water's edge Wade on in...feel the water Wrap around and take us in Oh dear Sarah I'm so scared now The water's rising and I can't swim Hold my hand and I'll go with you Sink on down to the promised land Love it changes like the seasons Steal your heart like an old freight train Leaves a young heart cold and wanting Comes and goes like a summer rain
6.
Dancin' 04:43
Music and lyrics by Cruz Contreras Well I'm thinking ‘bout my darlin'… it's been a long long while Yeah, I’m thinking ‘bout my darling Sure has been a long long while Let's go dancin', let's go out in style Hey there darlin’, go and find your dancin' shoes Hey there daddy, go and grab your dancin’ shoes We can go downtown and chase away these blues Let's go dancin',… just like we used to do We’ll go dancin’ … dancin’ me and you Get that sunshine feeling, chase away these blues Hey lordy mama, go and find your dancin' dress Oh, lordy mama … have you seen your dancin’ dress? Oh you know the one, the one that I love best I’ll tell you the truth now, it ain't always been a ball Tell you the truth now, life ain’t always been a ball But right down the line, you've been my one and all Let's go dancin' … just like we used to do We'll go dancin'...dancin' me and you Get that sunshine feeling, chase away these blues We've been higher than the mountains Lower than the valleys wide Through the good and the bad times We'll go side by side Sing me a sweet song Let it be what it will Come early morning We'll be dancin' still... Oh we'll be dancin'...just like we used to do Yea we'll be dancin'...dancin' me and you Get that sunshine feeling, chase away these blues Let's go dancin'...just like we used to do We'll go dancin'...dancin' me and you Get that sunshine feeling, chase away these blues Find that sunshine feeling, chase away these blues And we'll be dancin'...dancin' me and you
7.
Desire 04:33
Music and lyrics by Cruz Contreras Standing in the light out on the hill The sun in your hair the whole world stood still Silhouette on a blood red sky I could see the fire burning in your eyes Oh the fire burning in your eyes I could've heard your heart beating from a mile away Take it all in things words can't say Sunset falling on a bright eyed dream I guess everything's not what it seems No everything's not what it seems But desire, oh desire You can look away but it still remains You can't hide that burning flame of Desire And the prettiest thing that I've ever seen crashed in like a storm and gone like a dream We took it all in and we drank our fill Now I hold you in my heart and I always will I hold you in my heart and I always will Like desire, oh desire You can walk away but it still won't change You can't hide that burning flame of Desire And the coldest thing that I've ever known Is life without you in this world alone There's a picture of you burned in my mind And I'll carry it with me till the end of time I'll carry it with me till the end of time And this desire, Oh desire You can look away but it still remains You can't hide that burning flame You can walk away but it still won't change You can't hide that burning flame You can turn away but it still remains You can't hide that burning flame Of desire
8.
40 Days 04:15
Forty days and forty nights Flying down the highway white line sideways leavin it all behind We gonna rock n roll till the break a dawn Set em up knock em down sing our song Forty days and forty nights Mmm beep beep back it up real slow Pull up a chair cause momma Nestor knows Ol Blind Joe gonna sing you a song Kick you in the teeth send you along Forty days and forty nights Flying down the highway white line sideways leavin it all behind We gonna rock n roll till the break a dawn Set em up knock em down sing our song Forty days and forty nights Ol Green River’s got a smell to it Five AM why can’t we just quit? Police man said there’s a change of plans We’re going downtown boys, show me your hands Forty days and forty nights Flying down the highway white line sideways leavin it all behind We gonna rock n roll till the break a dawn Set em up knock em down sing our song Forty days and forty nights Buy me a bouquet up in Boise town Gotta see your baby when you come around Swing her to the left, swing her to the right Drinks on the house…you only get one night Forty days and forty nights Flying down the highway white line sideways leavin it all behind We gonna rock n roll till the break a dawn Set em up knock em down sing our song Forty days and forty nights Lookin for a win, tryin to find a way Scarlett called up said that she can pay High on a mountain up in the sky From here on out…I think we’re gonna fly……… Down to The River of Sorrows where the spirits flow Cold cold water gonna soothe your soul Sing and dance, rock all night, Hangin by a thread…in the spirit’s light I seen the devil and my lord settin side by side Up on the rock over the countrywide Playin cards, shootin dice It’s just like I thought now….I think I’m gonna cry
9.
Broken Shore 05:38
Music and lyrics by Cruz Contreras There's a rock in the middle of the ocean Where the water meets the sky Built from the fire way down below I can hear her mournful cry Waves crashing on a broken shore There's darkness on the sun Please lord don't leave me here In the valley of the gun Sail across the ocean Span the waters wide Seventy thousand gonna take that hill Look death in the eye There's fire on the ground and earth in the air The whole world's come undone The devil's loose on a beach of fire In the land of the rising sun Which way is heaven and which way is hell? It’s so hard to tell Which way is heaven and which way is hell? It’s so hard to tell Which way is heaven and which way is hell? It’s so hard to tell Which way is heaven and which way is hell? It’s so hard to tell Which way is heaven and which way is hell? Which way is heaven and which way is hell? Which way is heaven and which way is hell? Which way is heaven and which way is hell? It's so hard to tell I see colors flying, brothers dying The tides of war have sung Gonna fight to the death till there ain't much left In the land of the rising sun I see colors flying, brothers dying The tides of war have sung Gonna fight to the death till there ain't much left In the land of the rising sun In the land of the rising sun In the land of the rising sun In the land of the rising sun There's a rock in the middle of the ocean Where the water meets the sky Built from the fire way down below I can hear her mournful cry
10.
Fade 04:05
Music and lyrics by Cruz Contreras Is it time? Time for the moving on Give me a sign, tell me you’re holding on You say that you hear me but I don’t believe it’s true I can see it in your eyes but our thoughts are misconstrued I’ve said it a thousand times and I’ll say it a thousand more I’ve loved you from the first time and I love you even more Please don’t fade, fade away Please don’t fade, fade away It’s crazy how we try to hold on to the days When everything was promised and we’d always find a way Hold on to each other and dwell within the light Now all the sky is clouded and day has turned to night Please don’t fade, fade away Please don’t fade, fade away We’ve got a good thing darling…and don’t you forget There’s a brand new sunrise we’ve never seen yet Just a little patience and the living is ours Hold on to tomorrow and we’ll count our lucky stars Please don’t fade, fade away Please don’t fade, fade away

about

Marketed and Distributed by Thirty Tigers/RED
℗ 2015 Black Lilly Music / Attack Monkey Productions (BMI)

theblacklillies.com

Gearing up to write this record, one reoccurring theme kept smacking me in the face. It came from every direction and in many ways, but always the same: write from your heart. Create from a personal space. Heart. Heart. Heart. It was the only way to do it.

So when I got home from tour and it was time to get to work, it was fitting that I found my focus in the simplest and most direct of ways. I was going to be home for two weeks (an eternity for me), but completely absorbed in the writing process – unable to spend time with my son Cash. I told him, “While I’m home, I won't see you as much as I’d like to. I’ve got to buckle down and write this record, and you know…there’s a real chance I could fail.” He turned to me, took a pause and breath, and with a pointed finger said, “Daddy! Go write a record, and then let’s go buy a farm!”

It’s all I needed to hear, just knowing that someone completely believed in me. If I ever started to lose my focus, his words would return. And he was with me the day I wrote the song Hard to Please. After giving me some brutal advice that only a ten-year-old could … he informed me that he himself was not so hard to please!

I’m not sure that’s true, nor should it be. If there is something that embodies the spirit of the Black Lillies team, it’s never settling for less than your best. Every stage, every song, and every mile. Expect it of yourself and all those around you, and never, ever apologize for being Hard to Please.

Hard To Please is the most driven, focused, and refined project I’ve ever been part of. Beginning with the songs and the energy and life that inspired them; the arrangement process in a basement in our hometown of Knoxville … to two snowy weeks on lockdown with Bowman and Trisha and saving grace Sam Quinn, (who joined us for pre-production rehearsals), digging into the nature of each song … to our manager Chyna’s tireless efforts and relentless encouragement, and our amazing fans’ continued belief and support. Everybody stepped up and delivered, personally and collectively.

The recording process was nothing less than mind blowing, or “righteous!” as was exclaimed in the studio often. It’s safe to say that the “A team” brought their “A game” to this project. Producer Ryan Hewitt pushed us all to be and express our best creative selves, and captured The Black Lillies in our most fully realized recording to date. Sincere gratitude to assistant engineer Chad Cuttilll for his superhuman endurance and good vibes, and huge props and appreciation to Bill Reynolds, Matt Smith, and Daniel Donato for tracking these songs out live and playing your arses off!

As always in making a record there is really no real beginning or ending to all the thank you’s and credits due. So many people contributed their time, efforts, and talents to this project. So I’ll keep it short and sweet. First and foremost, I must thank our incredible fans. And secondly, thank you to the core team that truly made this project possible. Job well done to Chyna Brackeen, Ryan Hewitt, Chad Cuttill, Trisha Gene Brady, Bowman Townsend, and Sam Quinn. This would not be what it is without each one of you!

Peace and gratitude.
Cruz Contreras




Produced, Recorded and Mixed by Ryan Hewitt
Assisted by Chad Cuttill and Owen Lewis
Additional Engineering and cocktails by Chad Cuttill
Recorded and Mixed at House of Blues Studios, Nashville, TN
Studio Intern: Tyler Spratt

Executive Producer: Chyna Brackeen

Mastered by Dave Collins
Dave Collins Mastering, Los Angeles, TN

Illustration by Scott Guion
Additional tattoo images by Chelsea Linnaberry
Album layout and design by Courtney Hendricks, Best Behavior Creative Club

Music and lyrics by Cruz Contreras
“Hard to Please” music by Cruz Contreras and Bowman Townsend; lyrics by Cruz Contreras



Sending love and thanks to each and every one of our incredible friends, family members and fans, with special recognition for Bill “The Appalachian Hippie Poet” Alexander; Eric Bowen; Becky and Steve Hancock; Stuart Martin; Candace and Lynn Fowler; Ken at Sportsmen’s Tavern; Tony Novello; Mae Stroda, Bruce and Sharon Court of the Canadian Court House; Dennis and Tammy Double; Markus, Dora, Sarah, & Kate Garza; Ron and Karin Rouse; Chris Canfield, Marcia Asquith and Mike Hammer; Krista & Winston Thompson; Jen and Randy Reeves; Rob, Ashleigh, and Rowan Bergstrom; Laura A Longoria; Frank U. Soto; Elizabeth Hussey; Orla Kinsella; Rusty Gordon; Iggy and Jasmine Hutchison; Jen and Steffen Heins; Lee and JoJo Brown; our Atlanta family the Martinezes; Brett Dougherty and family; Nancy Ward; Art & Mary Shearon; the Monroe family; Kathleen DiRosato; Mike and Susan Clark; the fabulous Reenie “Pop-A-Wheelie” Mooney; Mauro Mengaziol; Richard Fauteux; Bill Kappa; Zoe Marie Moreira; Christopher Cook; Len Pavelka; Adam Goodwin; Cynthia Chace; Cameron and Hannah Cosgrove; Pam and Steve Hall; Cherie Piercy; Kyle Wright; Joni Harrison; Steven Horton; Bob and Lori Liberatore; Trina Nicholson; Reid Simpson; Kimberly Brown; and Karen Dillon.

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released September 8, 2016

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