If I Was You

from The Light You Can't See in the Day by Alma Drake

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about

If I Was You was actually a writing prompt from the songwriters' group my friend Chris Eck and I started way back in about 2012 or so. We enjoy the occasional songwriting prompt, and this one was particularly robust. I sent it to Christine and Ryan and they basically started nagging me immediately about making a record. They hadn't even met yet and they were already a team. Ryan got Josh and Justin to make some guitary magic, and then we got Uncle Pat to throw down with the lead guitar and wowzers. Christine's sheer enthusiasm for this song made it more than joyful to sing with them.

lyrics

If I was you I’d tell that girl just how I feel
I’d tell her I know she’s the only one for me
If I was you, I’d let her know I mean forever
And make damn sure that I love everything about her

Chorus
But I’m not you and your shoes don’t fit my feet
Empty words come all too easy when it’s not about me
Cuz I’m not you, I’ve got no skin in this game
No harm, no foul, no blame
It don’t matter what I do
Cuz I’m not you

If I was you, I’d take that job out of town
Pull up all of my old roots and put some new ones down
If I was you, I’d leave the bullshit all behind
And toss a match in once I’d made up my mind
Chorus

Bridge
If I was you I’d stop listening to unsolicited advice
If I was you I wouldn’t be stuck in my own damn dead end life

If I was you I’d throw seeds instead of rice
I would take my pick and wouldn’t think twice
If I was you I’d tune everybody out
And make sure that my own heart is turned up loudest
Chorus

credits

from The Light You Can't See in the Day, released October 25, 2022
Alma Drake: guitar, vocals, background vocals
Christine Moad: bass, bg vocals
Ryan Rumery: drums
Pat Smith: lead electric guitar
Josh DeSmidt and Justin Craig: rhythm electric guitars

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about

Alma Drake Iowa

Alma Drake (fka Gayla Drake) has been playing and performing music for over 50 years, and writing songs for over 40. They are currently a full-time sound therapy practitioner, but they continue to create and perform music on their own, with several bands, and with the Family Folk Machine choir. ... more

gayladrake.com

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