Part 6: The end

For the seven months leading up to this concert, I told myself one thing.

During the song Record Year, I was not going to look at my phone. I would not take photos, and I wouldn't video it.

At a certain point, you need to put your phone down and appreciate what's happening right in front of your face.

The song came towards the end of the concert. After the first few opening notes were played, my Mom nudged me.

"It's Record Year!"

Oh.

My.

Gawd.

You guys, that song was even better than I imagined it would be. Every single chord and every single lyric were perfect.

And when I say perfect, I mean it.

Perfect.

Listening to that song live is almost worth having your heart crushed into a million little pieces.

Well...almost.

I listened to this album when I first bought my house. I listened to it when I was crying over someone who wasn't worth it. I listened to it over and over again, until I learned every word of every song.

I love this album probably more than I've loved any other album, ever.

Because, you know, I've been having a record year.

Since you turned the tables on me
I've been steady and learnin' lonely
Keepin' this turntable spinnin'
Everything from Jones to Jennings
Slowly plannin' my survival
In a three foot stack of vinyl
Since you had to walk on outta here
I've been havin' a record year

I bet you thought before you left
I'd just sit in silence by myself
Turn this house into a jail
Dyin' slow in a livin' hell
But love's got a funny way of keepin' score
And your leavin' lit up my scoreboard
I usually make it through side a sober
All bets are off when I flip her over
One bourbon, one scotch, one beer
I'm havin' a record year

Quarter notes and Hank's half time
Are poundin' on this heart of mine
Song to song, I pass my time
With these speakers on ten
Your good and gone keeps me up all night
Along with Songs In The Key Of Life
I'm either gonna get over you
Or I'm gonna blow out my ears
Yeah, you're out there now
Doin' God knows how, and I'm stuck here
Havin' a record year

Your leavin' left me goin' crazy
I'm countin' on a needle to save me
I drop it in the groove
And we go 'round and 'round
And down in a spiral
I guess I really oughta call and thank you
I rediscovered Red Headed Stranger
Got down with old James Brown
And found New Grass Revival
If you find your way back, I owe you a beer
For my record year

Quarter notes and Hank's half time
Are poundin' on this heart of mine
Song to song, I pass my time
With these speakers on ten
Your good and gone keeps me up all night
Along with Songs In The Key Of Life
I'm either gonna get over you
Or I'm gonna blow out my ears
Yeah, you're out there now
Doin' God knows how, and I'm stuck here
Havin' a record year

Yeah, I'm havin' a record year