Open mic night. Normally those three words sent the sane running home with their hands over their ears, yet it brought others out of the wood work to screech and cackle their favorite song into the mic. But tonight wasn't quite your usual open mic night. Early in the evening, a pair of performers had been cleared to take the stage. Two stools, two mics, and two acoustic guitars... that was all that graced the small stage tonight. Though later the normal DJ's stand would take over the space as was the usual.
Finally, when most of the crowd thought no one would come, a pair made their way up to the stage, ascending the stairs and took up places on the stools. The young woman picked up her guitar, checking the tuning before falling still. The young man checked his own tune, then cleared his throat. The pair locked gazes for a long moment. The pair began to strum their guitars, her playing a slower, lower tune white he picked a steady tune. It wasn't a long intro to the song, but it was skillfully played.
"Living my life in a slow hell. Different girl every night at the hotel. I aint seen the sun shine in 3 damn days.... Been fuelin up on cocaine and whiskey. Wish I had a good girl to miss me. But I wonder if I'll ever change my ways.... I put your picture away. Sat down and cried today. I cant look at you while I'm lying next to her.... I put your picture away. sat down and cried today. I cant look at you while I'm lying next to her"
His voice was deep and rich, tinged with a slight southern twang that didn't hinder his words or his singing. He never looked into the crowd in the club, keeping his eyes closed when he was singing and on his guitar when he wasn't.
"I called u last night in the hotel. Everyone knows but they wont tell. But there half hearted smiles tell me somethin just aint right. I've been waiting on you for a long time. Fuelin up on heartaches and cheap whine. I aint heard from you in 3 damn nights. I put your picture away. I wonder where you've been. I cant look at you while I'm lyin next to him. I put your picture away. I wonder where you've been. I cant look at you while I'm lyin next to him."
Her voice was both rich and husky, somehow both beautiful and sensual. She sang with the confidence of someone who knows their skill, and doesn't give a fuck what those listening thought of her.
They played without voice for a short while, maybe thirty second, maybe a minute... Some people got lost in the soft song, others took the moment to head to the bar for a refill... But when they began singing again, all eyes turned to the stage
I saw you yesterday with an old friend it wuz the same old same how have you been
Then, for the first time, the pair sang in unison, stealing the air right out of the room as people listened in awe
since you've been gone my worlds been dark and gray
you reminded me of brighter days
I hope to be coming home to stay. I was head of the church
I wuz off to drink you away
The pair finished the last verse together, drawing the crowd in as their voices rose higher, louder at the songs climax
I thought about you for a long time. Can't seem to get you off my mind. I cant stand why we're living like this way. I found your picture today. I swear I'll change my ways. I just called to say I want you to come back home. I found your picture today. I swear I'll change my ways. I just called to say I want you to come back home. I just called to say I love you. Come back home
i move on like a sinners prayer
i let 'em go like a levee breaks
walk away as if i don't care
learn to shoulder my mistakes
getting reckless when there's no need
break my heart but it won't bleed
i'm better as a memory than as your man
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