top of page

Available now on Spotify!
...and Bandcamp
as a download!

This album is a collection of songs I've written (and a couple with my late partner Rus Stedman) that are influenced, or at least informed by my southern roots. I wouldn't say it's "pure" country or western, because I'm not, but then... who is?

Schweitzer ~ Painted Sky

Produced by Peter R.J. Deyell and Richard Schweitzer for "tindog music & stuff"

Painted Sky Track List & Lyrics

Two Ways - 3:33

Coffee Cups and

    Candy Wrappers - 4:18

The Drive - 3:39

Painted Skies - 4;32

Saline Solution - 4:07

Give Her My Best - 4:24

 

Puttin' Out Fires - 3:27

Roped and Tied - 2:45

The Lie - 3:30

Complacency - 3:04

All Over Broken - 2:58

Dear Love - 3:26

Sudden Stop - 3:28

 

(**Lyrics not included in CD booklet)

Click on the artwork or title for each song to go to its Bandcamp download page!

Two Ways **

by Richard Schweitzer

My knees get to knockin’ when you walk in the room

That shouldn’t happen after all we’ve been through

Just look how that skirt, floats ‘round you’re a…

and listen to that West Texas drawl

You’ve gotta take some bad with the good

And honey you’re good and you’re bad and I want it all

 

You want it your way, I want it mine

But there’s an our way down the middle of that line

It’s a question of balance, walkin’ that fence

And we can help each other not to fall

You know that with the pleasure you get a little pain

And I may be a little pain but the pleasure makes it worth it all

 

He said she said…love ain’t no good that way

You can’t two-step while I’m trying to shuffle

If we dance together, we can swing this place

Cause love only goes two ways

 

Two ways, that’s foreplay, now we say, that’s just fine

The good days, and the bad days, love only goes two ways

Yours and mine

 

Look at it this way, or look at it that

Upside down or sideways as a matter of fact

I’ve seen it with you in it, and I’ve seen it with you out

This ain’t no judgment call

You know you get some wrong with the right

And honey I believe we were right and that ain’t wrong at all

 

He said, she said… love ain’t no good that way

You can’t two step while I’m trying to shuffle

If we dance together, we can swing this place

Cause love only goes two ways

 

Two ways, that’s foreplay, now we say, that’s just fine

The good days, and the bad days, love only goes two ways

Yours and mine

Coffee Cups and

     Candy Wrappers

by Richard Schweitzer

Working at a bar they call the Corner Pocket

Wiping up behind the drunks and the billiard wizards

Tips are earned with smiles and jokes, an extra shot and idle talk

Just settin’ ‘em up for the weekend warriors and the social suicides

 

But you sit at a corner table every other night

And seem to understand the struggle between me and my pride

Then you’re gone and all I’ve got is what you leave behind

Just coffee cups and candy wrappers

 

Standin’ out back, takin’ a break, thinkin’ of you

My finger tips are wrinkled from the beer in the bar rags

Falling starlight streaks the darkness to graze another moonless sky

And I’ve only got so many wishes wished upon a desert night

 

And you sit in a quiet corner and only order twice

First you ask for coffee and a refill when I have the time

And soon you get a candy bar, the check, and tip me with a smile

And coffee cups and candy wrappers

 

Crickets fill the night outside the Corner Pocket

A warm wind rushes by me and my eyes start to water

Keys, they jingle loudly in the quiet as the city sleeps

I sigh into the seat, behind the wheel, and shut the door

And resign myself to a lonely house and the late, late show

 

But you sit at a corner table every other night

And seem to understand the struggle between me and my pride

Then you’re gone and all I’ve got is what you leave behind

coffee cups and candy wrappers

coffee cups and candy wrappers

Just coffee cups and candy wrappers

The Drive

by Rus Stedman

     & Richard Schweitzer

Headed north that fall out of Abilene

Forty hard ridin’ boys and young Billy Green

With a thousand head rustled up from Mexico

Mr. Bridger ridin’ point and Cookie in tow

 

And Billy sang Ki Yi Yippi Ki Yay

Montana’s ‘bout a hundred million miles away

Ki Yi Yippi Ki Yo

Lord I hope we hit the territories

‘fore the snow

Ki Yo Singin’ Yippi Ki Yay Ki Yo

 

Come an early frost set to Lexington

Cookie’s coffee liked to kill us but it kept us warm

The Platte was so swollen, took a day to cross

Most the herd made it, but little Billy was lost

 

Singin’ Ki Yi Yippi Ki yay

Lord we’re sendin’ little Billy home today

Ki Yi Yippi Ki Yo

What a fine fine way

for a cowboy to go

Ki Yo Singin’ Yippi Ki Yay Ki Yo

 

Made it to Billings without a day to spare

Mr. Bridger tellin’ tales of what was waitin’ there

An honest game of poker, a forever blue sky

And all the whiskey and women that short pay can buy

 

Ki Yi Yippi Ki Yay

Tellin’ all the pretty girls we’re comin’ back someday

Ki Yi Yippi Ki Yo

Darlin’, I can only stay

‘til there ain’t no snow

 

Ki Yi Yippi Ki Yay

Yes, Abilene’s a hundred million miles away

Ki Yi Yippi Ki Yo

But a cowboy’s gotta roam

Like a river flows

Ki Yo Singin’ Yippi Ki Yi Yay Ki Yo

Yippi Ki Yo

Yippi Ki Yi Yay Ki Yo

Painted Skies

by Richard Schweitzer

My gun belt’s cut the blood off and my legs are numb and sore

My pony has been limping, but there’s just a few miles more

I’ve got to get a fresh horse or I’ll ride her ‘til she dies

I could never handle this endless desert if it weren’t for painted skies

 

I hear firewood crackling, the beans are finally hot

The coyotes are yapping, and the whiskey hits the spot

I’ve got bruises in my knee joints, and cramps up in my thighs

I could never handle all this riding, cowboys,

if it weren’t for painted skies

 

Hey, Boss, look what you’ve made

Look at all the colors in the clouds

If that’s where you put your feet Boss, I couldn’t look you in the eyes

I’ll just get some sleep and dream about a horse that never tires

And I could never take this hard living, Boss,

if it weren’t for painted skies

 

I used to be a lawman, I used to wear the star

I’ll still take the pay if there’s trouble where we are

But I hung up my guns, at least I had to try

I could never handle all this killing, cowboys,

if it weren’t for painted skies

 

It only takes a look to make a madman draw his gun

And I have put men down, but I feel sorry when it’s done

They always plead for life after the murders and the lies

I could never handle these hangings, cowboys,

if it weren’t for painted skies

 

Hey, Boss, look what you’ve made

Look at all the colors in the clouds

If that’s where you put your feet Boss, I couldn’t look you in the eyes

I’ll just get some sleep and dream about a fire that never dies

And I could never take this hard living, Boss,

if it weren't for painted skies

Saline Solution **

by Richard Schweitzer

The steering wheel was hard to hold just an hour or so ago

My hands start to sweat when I think of you

But now they’re dry as ashes knowing they’ll touch you nevermore

It’s hard to take that halo from above you

 

Now I held certain strong beliefs about the way you felt

And I don’t know what to do with the admission in your eyes

I could kill your lover but he’s only half at fault

I could never hurt you and don’t know what else to do

So I’ll just take the saline solution… and cry

 

It’s a long long way from where I’m at to where I plan to be

And what I do when I get there’s still a mystery to me

But distance doesn’t matter I’ll spend nights pacing the floor

Wondering when you think of me what is the image that you see

 

Now I held certain strong beliefs about the way you felt

And I don’t know what to do with the admission in your eyes

I could kill your lover but he’s only half at fault

I could never hurt you and don’t know what else to do

So I’ll just take the saline solution… and cry

 

But I know what went wrong

Too human to deny desire, not enough to be strong

And what makes this so sad

If we weren’t still in love we wouldn’t be so awfully mad

 

Well I’ve pressed my case so hard by now my knuckles have turned white

The wheel feels like the bones of some old snake

And I’ve been in my head so long the sky is near too bright

The urge to stop and call you’s like an earthquake

 

Now I held certain strong beliefs about the way you felt

And I don’t know what to do with the admission in your eyes

I could kill your lover but he’s only half at fault

I could never hurt you and don’t know what else to do

So I’ll just take the saline solution… and cry

 

Now I held certain strong beliefs about the way you felt

And I don’t know what to do with the admission in your eyes

I could kill your lover but he’s only half at fault

I could never hurt you and don’t know what else to do

So I’ll just take the saline solution… and cry

I’ll cry... Mmm, I’ll cry

Give Her My Best

by Richard Schweitzer

I remember walkin' hand in hand on South Padre Island

We took my truck and a cooler to the beach to spend the day

I can still see her hair in tiny circles drippin' Gulf Coast sunshine

God help my heart if I don't remember her that way

 

So give her my best if you see her and tell her I still feel the same

and I'm comin' to terms, 'stead of comin' all apart

But tell her yes, I'm still alone, and might just stay that way

How can I love another with her living in my heart?

How can I love another with her living in my heart?

 

I dream about the moonlight in her eyes this side of Austin

Stuck on 35 without a spare and no help for miles

I was kickin' and screamin' like I thought

it was the truck's fault we were stranded

She was holding back the laughter but couldn't hide the smile

 

So give her my best if you see her and tell her I still feel the same

I'm not comin' all apart...

But tell her yes, I'm still alone...

How can I love another with her living in my heart?

How can I love another with her living in my heart?

 

She up and bought a home on the Dallas side of Waco

I know she could never afford to do that by herself

And I can still see her hair in tiny circles drippin' Gulf Coast sunshine

God help my heart cause my heart can't help itself

 

So give her my best if you see her and tell her I still feel the same

and I'm comin' to terms, 'stead of comin' all apart

But tell her yes, I'm still alone, and might just stay that way

How can I love another with her living in my heart?

How can I love another with her living in my heart?

Puttin' Out Fires

by Richard Schweitzer

You see Jimmy over there's in a world of hurt

See that pack of smokes in the sleeve of his shirt

Well a month ago, Jimmy told Susie he'd quit

Now he's been comin' here night after night

While Susie's been workin' he's lightin' them lights

And tonight's the night Susie caught him doin' it

 

Just wait a minute till things get settled down

I can give you an explanation that's true and sound

I don't know what you've been told

But I can tell you now it's a crock of ...gold

And I'll tell you why soon as things get settled down

 

I gotta help Bob, he's in a helluva mess

His wife was expectin' a raise, I guess

She went out and bought a fancy dress cut to fit

Well I heard Bob say "You didn't hear me good

I said I got some praise, not a raise, but I should"

And in the fight that followed that fancy dress got ripped

 

Just wait a minute till things get settled down

I can give you an explanation that's true and sound

I don't know what you have heard

But listen good to me, it's beyond absurd

And I'll tell you why soon as things get settled down

 

Now, where'd you hear that, it's a damnable lie

I just come here just to get pie in my eye

And there ain't no girl named Silky, that's the gospel truth

Well Jimmy can tell you and Bob knows it too

I sit at the bar and get quietly stewed

And play Cricket or Pool, and besides her name is Ruth... oh shit

 

Just wait a minute till things get settled down

I can give you an explanation that's true and sound

Now I don't know how that got in your head

But what you hear isn't always what's said

and I'll set you right soon as things get settled down

 

Just wait a minute till things get settled down

I can give you an explanation that's true and sound

I got excuses and reasons to waste

But I'm puttin' out fires all over the place

And I’ll get back to you soon as things get settled down

Roped and Tied **

by Richard Schweitzer

It wasn’t in her looks

It wasn’t in her smile

It wasn’t in the cut of her clothes

It ain’t like she unleashed all her womanly wiles

Like I’d even fall for that, god knows

 

I can’t explain it, It ain’t natural

I can’t even run and hide

 

Cause I’m wrapped around her finger, caught in her trap

Penned up like a show horse, roped and tied

Wrapped around her finger, caught in her trap

Penned up like a show horse, roped and tied

 

I tried to look away

Pretend I didn’t notice

It’s not as simple as that

She caught me lookin’ all sly like in the reflection

Pretendin’ to examine a bottle of Jack

 

I can’t explain it, It ain’t natural

I can’t even run and hide

 

Cause I’m wrapped around her finger, caught in her trap

Penned up like a show horse, roped and tied

Wrapped around her finger, caught in her trap

Penned up like a show horse, roped and tied

 

I checked my watch

Looked at the door

Deciding which option was best

Feeling the panic

Shaken and stirred

And Trey Gray pounding a beat in my chest

I was out of the gate

and kickin’ up track

Leaving nothing but a vacuum behind

I was runnin’ like a racehorse runnin’ for the roses

But that was only in my mind

 

I can’t explain it, It ain’t natural

I can’t even run and hide

 

Cause I’m wrapped around her finger, caught in her trap

Penned up like a show horse, roped and tied

Wrapped around her finger, caught in her trap

Penned up like a show horse, roped and tied

Wrapped around her finger, caught in her trap

Penned up like a show horse, roped and tied

Wrapped around her finger, caught in her trap

Penned up like a show horse, roped and tied

The Lie

by Richard Schweitzer

You look so peaceful sleepin' there

Like the halo of an angel on your pillow lays your hair

I never thought I'd say the things I'm gonna say to you

I hope that somewhere in your heart you don't believe it's true

 

I don't love you, never did

You were just too wonderful for me to commit

We were a mistake I knew you'd fix later on

No, I don't love you so you shouldn't feel bad movin' on

 

There was an accident tonight

And I begged the ghost that came to take me just to say goodbye

You can't hear me now but you'll remember what I say

And you won't understand but I hope it's better this way

 

I don’t love you… never did

I turned around and flew across the stars to my new home

And I saw my Savior sitting on the edge of his throne

He said, "I forgive you, I know why you lied"

So I'll spend the rest of her life just sittin' by his side, singing...

 

Lord, I loved her, always did

She was just too wonderful, I thought she was your gift

Promise she'll remember me, when she comes home

and that I love her, so she shouldn't feel bad movin' on

Complacency **

by Richard Schweitzer

I went off to work an hour early just this morning

And I got home so late I thought that you’d be packed for goin’

I was hopin’ you’d be angry, pacin’ up and down

But you were sleepin’, smiling’, dreamin’, don’t I feel the clown

 

Cause when I got to work, well I just sat there in my car

And after work I’s sittin’ by myself in some old bar

Thinkin’ how I’d feel if you were me and I was you

I’d be mad as hell, but you were busy sawin’ wood

 

You done ceased to care… you don’t give a damn

‘bout what I do, with who or why or where I even am

So darlin’ you just sit there on your laurels, wait and see

If you don’t lose me solely due to your complacency

 

Yesterday I brought some roses home and you said “thanks”

And where’s the milk and eggs and did I put gas in the tank?

Cause you were off to see your mother, if that’s all right…

Yeah, that’s okay, I know you haven’t seen her since last night

 

Damn good thing we never got around to having kids

I know they’d be devastated, seein’ us like this

 

Cause you were once not long ago the center of my life

Now I’m on the outside lookin’ in and think’ twice

I hope I’m still around when you realize I’m the one

Who cared and kept on carin’ when the care in you had gone

 

You done ceased to care… you don’t give a damn

‘bout what I do, with who or why or where I even am

So darlin’ you just sit there on your laurels, wait and see

If you don’t lose me solely due to your complacency

So darlin’ you just sit there on your laurels, wait and see

If you don’t lose me solely due to your complacency

Cause you don’t seem to care, and you don’t give a damn

All Over Broken **

by Rus Stedman

     & Richard Schweitzer

I've been hearing stories, yes the word is on the street

When I'm out on the road, you're ridin' in the rumble seat

with every pair of snakeskin boots through your revolving door

I told you once, I told you twice, I ain't telling you no more

 

Cause I'm, all over broken, worn inside and out

So mad I'm smokin', and too hoarse to shout

This time I ain't jokin', my forgivin' days are through

cause I'm, all over broken, and head to toe fed up with you

 

You always say it don't mean nothin' but it means somethin' to me

when you're takin' home for dinner every fish that's in the sea

I can't even go out with my friends and have a beer

cause every time I leave the house all my friends come here

 

And I'm, all over broken, worn inside and out

So mad I'm smokin', and too hoarse to shout

This time I ain't jokin', my forgivin' days are through

cause I'm, all over broken, and head to toe fed up with you

 

You swear it's all so innocent...I can't believe the things I'm told

I believe you ain't been innocent since you were six years old

And now I believe...

 

That I'm... all over broken, worn inside and out

So mad I'm smokin', and too hoarse to shout

This time I ain't jokin', my forgivin' days are through

cause I'm, all over broken, and head to toe fed up with you

All over broken, all over broken in two...

Dear Love **

by Richard Schweitzer

Dear Love, I had to drop a line to say

Dear Love, I wish it wasn’t this way

I tried holding on but now I know

that was wrong

Dear Love, though part of me still wishes I could stay

I have to take my heart away

 

We’ve been hangin’ on to special moments

our bodies can’t deny

We must be doing something wrong somewhere

I know we’ve tried all there is to try

My heart keeps sayin’ it’s a big, big ocean

You won’t be lonely for too long

P.S. Dear Love, though you may not believe it, I’m gonna miss us

 

Dear Love, though part of me still wishes I could stay

I have to take my heart away

 

It isn’t right or wrong or good or bad

it’s just the way it is

We believed that Cupid’s aim was true

not we’re learning he can miss

It’s not enough for you to say you love me

I need to see it in your life

P.S. Dear Love, though you were never lookin’, I was reachin’ out

 

Dear Love, I had to drop a line to say

Dear Love, I wish it wasn’t this way

I tried holding on but now I know

that was wrong

Dear Love, though part of me still wishes I could stay

I have to take my heart away

Oooo, I have to take my heart away

Sudden Stop **

by Richard Schweitzer

She says yes, and I get excited

I'm like a kid, I can't hide it

then I get all worked up for not bein' alone

 

It goes good, it gets better

All of a sudden I get that letter

And I can't even get her to answer the phone

 

Pardon me for bendin' your ear

Let me make this perfectly clear

 

It's not the "up" that gets me worried

What goes up 'sgotta come down again

It's not the fallin' I'm afraid of

It's that... sudden stop at the end

 

She's got the goods, and you got the needs

She's the supply that demands you to please

She's like a treat and you know that you're gonna give in

She melts in the heat and you gotta lick it

Sticky and sweet like a drug, you can't kick it

And then you find out she was just using you to get him

 

Pardon me for bein' so straight

I admit, I took the bait but...

 

It's not the "up" that gets me worried

What goes up 'sgotta come down again

It's not the fallin' I'm afraid of

It's that... sudden stop at the end

 

I'm not bitter but don't get me started

I'm not to blame for the things that my heart did

Broken and beaten, neglected the way that it was

It's a game of roulette, as soon as you're in it

You can reach out and still reach your limit

And if they don't have an excuse then it's "just because"

 

She melts in the heat and you gotta lick it

Sticky and sweet like a drug, you can't kick it

And then you find out she was just using you to get him

 

Pardon me for bendin' your ear

Let me make this perfectly clear

 

It's not the "up" that gets me worried

What goes up 'sgotta come down again

It's not the fallin' I'm afraid of

It's that... sudden stop at the end

How to Contact  Me

Thanks for submitting!

bottom of page