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This is kind of an extension on the theme of songs about where I live that was the theme in Lucky Man. When I sit on my back deck, and some people here have done that with me so they know, I am glad I don't live anywhere else, especially a city. So, I wrote this and decided to play or program everything myself. The only track that I didn't play is the real track 1945 mandolin. I could have played it too but wanted something from BB in the song. And the drums are programmed with jamstix. Everything else is played by me. Bass, several guitar tracks and the slide. Give me the country Lyrics Give Me The Country Please Sunshine lights the morning Birds are singing loud The sky is Carolina blue, not one single cloud Tall pines swaying easy Wind singing through the leaves And this old heart beats steady where the sky and forest meet. Where I live, the creek runs deep Sun shining down in the air I breathe What I got is heaven and a backwoods breeze I don't need no city lights, give me the country please Concrete and steel, they'll try to claim your soul Sirens blare , engines run, everything is gray and cold I'll trade the crowded corners for a field with endless sky 'Cause you can't plant your spirit where the asphalt never dies Where I live, the creek runs deep Sun shining down in the air I breathe What I got is heaven and a backwoods breeze I don't need those city lights, give me the country please [Guitar Solo] I got somewhere, where I belong Living my life like a country song Wouldn't trade this kind of freedom for anything. Oh don't you know? Where I live, the creek runs deep Sun shining down in the air I breathe What I got is heaven and a backwoods breeze I don't need those city lights, give me the country please Oh, Give me the country please Oh, Give me the country please Copyright lyrics and music 2026 By Herb Hartley Another 100% organic product from Kill Branch Studio Comments appreciated
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Herb,
Great song and a great blend of instruments. You are in fine vocal form here - really nice.
Bob
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I've always been a fan of your vocals, Herb, and you do a great job on this one, excellent! Nice job on all the instruments, good solo. Good arrangement, great dynamics, really adds to the song.
I can totally relate to the lyrics BTW, we are also out in the country, can't be beat.
Good one, listened a few times.
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Good song and musicianship! Even city folk like myself hanker to get out in the country on a regular basis, so the sentiment is well received. Nice job.
Last edited by TuneMonger; 03/30/26 02:36 PM.
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Hi Herb,
You start this song with a voice that says "who cares what anyone thinks." It sounds a bit cheeky, but actually also very funny. I love that.
And then comes that chorus with that long sustained note. Amazing. That immediately becomes very characteristic of the rest of the song. So, it's a great song that you can sing along to at the top of your lungs (well, not me, but in a pub, for example). I can picture that just fine.
And good use of the instruments makes the song really appealing. So... off to the pub! And you in the lead!!!
Great song,
Hans
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Nice one, Herb. Super write and really nice backing arrangement to guide the listener. Super playing on all instruments, too. A very breezy, jangly vibe for sure. Really like the solo a lot; quite dynamic but melodic and nuanced as well. SUPERB vocals. You're busting some spine tingling high notes in the middle section. That's quite an impressive range you have on display here, and it sells the song.
The scenic pic on my SoundCloud page is the view from my mother's back porch in the mountains of North Georgia, which she had to leave a few years ago. When asked what she missed about her home in the mountains, her answer is concise: That porch.
I get it.
DC Ron
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Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Hi Herb
Oh yeah, really enjoyed the wailing guitar in the intro. A really powerful number, not just musically and vocally, but lyrically. Sounds like you’ve found the perfect place for you to be in this world, and I'm sure it’s beautiful.
Great song Herb, enjoyed my couple of listens. Kind regards.
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Herb, great production from Kill Branch Studios. Great country song, I can hear that one in my head after listening to it!!
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The intro is very good. The song is composed and sung from the heart. Because you're right, there's nothing more beautiful and wonderful than life in the countryside and nature. So thank you for your song.
Laurent
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Hi Herb!
Great song and well sung and played. That mandolin that you kept from BIAB just kept going and provided a good foundation for the music - I liked the rhythm of it. There are many lyric lines to like, but one that stood out to me is ‘And this old heart beats steady where the sky and forest meet.’
Where I live in the ‘burbs of Adelaide, we have a couple of areas of native scrub within 1km from our home that have not been touched since time immemorial, apart from the odd walking track or fire track, and it’s very peaceful for the soul to walk through it from time to time.
Enjoyed my listen.
Andrew
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So, THAT's what they call "Country music". Now I get it  I’m a happy camper, because, even though I technically live in a city, my garden opens right onto a forest. So, your song is right up my alley. Cool song, great vocals, great vibe. A bit mono, though. Enjoyed my listen ![[Linked Image - Only viewable when logged in]](https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/images/icons/default/thumbs_up.gif)
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Herb,
Great song and a great blend of instruments. You are in fine vocal form here - really nice.
Bob Thank you kindly Bob
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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I've always been a fan of your vocals, Herb, and you do a great job on this one, excellent! Nice job on all the instruments, good solo. Good arrangement, great dynamics, really adds to the song.
I can totally relate to the lyrics BTW, we are also out in the country, can't be beat.
Good one, listened a few times. I really appreciate that. That was a fun solo to work out. I like to do more melodic stuff rather than just run pentatonic scales. There's so much that can be done. Thanks for noticing that.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Good song and musicianship! Even city folk like myself hanker to get out in the country on a regular basis, so the sentiment is well received. Nice job. I have visited large cities, lived in major suburban areas, and small towns...... Nothing, in my opinion, compares to living in the country.... The woods to be specific. Glad you liked the song
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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My feelings too, Herb and what a great song to explain it all.
That first line of the chorus lifts the song way beyond the city walls.
Brilliant!
Vic
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You got it, Herb. Black bear, deer, fox, et al play right off our back porch. You're invited anytime. Happy for ya, man.
What a fine mix, and amazing you did it all --but the mando. You are singing the anthem, Herb. A song to be sung on the back porch AND when you're on your way home to it. Love it!
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Herb, this ex-country boy loves this song; I live in a housing track now and this is a city to me. But I miss my country living days. No bright lights, no neighbors, and the ability to shoot a 22 with no problems. I digress but your song brought back some very happy memories.
I loved this song.
OK, a random thought;
Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it?
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Hi Herb,
You start this song with a voice that says "who cares what anyone thinks." It sounds a bit cheeky, but actually also very funny. I love that.
And then comes that chorus with that long sustained note. Amazing. That immediately becomes very characteristic of the rest of the song. So, it's a great song that you can sing along to at the top of your lungs (well, not me, but in a pub, for example). I can picture that just fine.
And good use of the instruments makes the song really appealing. So... off to the pub! And you in the lead!!!
Great song,
Hans Thanks. Sounds like you like it
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Nice one, Herb. Super write and really nice backing arrangement to guide the listener. Super playing on all instruments, too. A very breezy, jangly vibe for sure. Really like the solo a lot; quite dynamic but melodic and nuanced as well. SUPERB vocals. You're busting some spine tingling high notes in the middle section. That's quite an impressive range you have on display here, and it sells the song.
The scenic pic on my SoundCloud page is the view from my mother's back porch in the mountains of North Georgia, which she had to leave a few years ago. When asked what she missed about her home in the mountains, her answer is concise: That porch.
I get it. Jangly is good sometimes. You're the second person to focus on the solo. It was fun coming up with that. If you think that vocal performance was spine tingling, you should have heard the first few takes that were graciously deleted. (😂)
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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That's a great tune! And excellent performance! The lyrics and your vocals just suit each other. I love songs that make me feel something and this one took me right back to the dirt road and creek in the town I grew up in. Very nicely done!
Don't ever try and be like anybody else and don't be afraid to take risks. -Waylon Jennings
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