Valerie & Walter Crockett
Lyrics to Unbutton Your Heart

All the words to all the songs on Unbutton Your Heart, our first album:

1. Unbutton Your Heart  2. On the Road to Cleveland  3. Starlight  
4. The Apron of Care  5. My Headache, My Heartache...  
6. As I Fall In Love With You  7. Southbound Trucker  8. Tell Me Now  
9. Don't Make Her Afraid  10. Nobody  11. I Never Thought About It  
12. Computer Song  13. I Said Goodbye

If you have any questions about these songs, or if you're one of those fine people like Dave O'Mara or Michael Hoyle who know the lyrics better than we do, and you want to report typos on the page, click here to send us an email.

If you want to print a particular song, there's a link after each where you can call up a printable copy without all the web debris and promotional razzmatazz. Or you can bail out now for the Valerie & Walter Crockett homepage or our performance schedule. Or you can click here to listen to several songs and buy the album right now.

And now for the songs:

1. UNBUTTON YOUR HEART
   ©1995 Valerie Crockett
   

   CHORUS:
   Unbutton your heart and let her in
   Unzip the secrets hiding within
   Unbuckle the feelings locked inside
   Unbutton your heart
   

   Her lingering voice as they hang up the phone
   Stirring up images of being alone with her
   But he changes the channel, he changes the plot
   The movie's too scary, though he likes it a lot with her
   But he's been burned by love before
   He's afraid of walking through that fiery door
   

   REPEAT CHORUS

   She's full of smiles and ready for love
   He's the kind of man she's been dreaming of in those sweet songs
   And she'll talk and talk and say all sorts of things
   He listens and loves the way she sings those sweet songs
   And even thought she's his biggest fan,
   He still hides the cards he's holding in his hand.

   REPEAT CHORUS

   She's getting to be a real good friend
   Will he board the train coming round the bend with her
   Cause the whistle's blowing on the train of romance
   Will he say good-bye or will he take a chance with her
   Then this thought goes through his mind
   "You better pay your way or she'll leave you far behind"
   

   REPEAT CHORUS

   Click for a printable copy of the song Unbutton Your Heart

   
   
2. ON THE ROAD TO CLEVELAND
   ©1995 Valerie Crockett

   Niagra Falls is where I'm going, but I'll be driving through your town.
   Should I call you, should I see you, should I track you down?
   Will my feelings boil over when I cross the Cleveland line
   Can I keep a steady simmer, it's been worrying my mind

   CHORUS:
   Oh, I'm on the road to Cleveland
   Feeling stung once again by your leaving
   And though I give my heart to you
   Still I'm just passing through
   And I'll be on the road again out of Cleveland

   You left for good reason, But you left just the same.
   I've slowly glued my life back together again
   And I think you'd want to see me if you knew I was around
   Would it unglue all the pieces I picked up off the ground

   REPEAT CHORUS

   The corn fields of Ohio start to thin then disappear
   This busy city traffic means decision time is here.
   Will it hurt to look you up, or will I love to hear your voice
   Maybe you won't be there I'll let chance make this choice

   BRIDGE:
   So I exit, find a phone, I've got a gambler's rush
   I put a coin in the slot my face is flushed
   My heart is racing faster than the horses at the track
   You're secretary says you're out, "Can he call you back?"

   A quiet voice is saying, "Wait a while, then try again"
   But I promised myself I'd move on if you weren't in
   Did I win, did I lose was lady luck on my side
   I don't know if I'm ahead, but I'm leaving you behind

   REPEAT CHORUS
   Though I give my heart to you
   Still I'm just passing through
   And I'll be on the road again out of Cleveland

   Click for a printable copy of On the Road to Cleveland

   
   
3. STARLIGHT
   ©1996 Walter H. Crockett Jr.

   Maybe that's all the happiness
   That we're supposed to have
   And maybe our glory days are far behind
   And in our hour of darkness
   There will be no helping hand
   We'll have to take what shelter we can find

   And maybe this road will lead us
   To some godforsaken land
   Wherever it seems our paths must break apart
   But never will I forsake you
   Not as long as I can stand
   For your love is like the beating of my heart

   CHORUS:
   Starlight on this forgotten shore
   Shine on, shine on
   All night my faithful heart is yours
   Shine on, shine on

   Some recall their high school days
   And some their first true love
   And some remember childhood fields of home
   And oftentimes you'll find them
   Disappointed in their dreams
   Paging through their memories all alone

   But we have grown together
   Though the years have come and gone
   And still I yearn to see you everyday
   It's like our love was written in some
   Never ending song
   That echoes when the memories fade away

   REPEAT CHORUS

   Maybe the world will never beat
   A path unto our door
   And maybe our days of laughter are behind
   But in this time of trial
   Still I love you ever more
   And you hold all the hope I need to find

   REPEAT CHORUS

   Click for a printable copy of the song Starlight

   
   
4. THE APRON OF CARE
   ©1996 Walter Crockett    ... as sung by Valerie
   

   Used to be a tomboy hanging on a tree
   Got a little older and she wouldn't play with me
   Spend a summer morning lying in her bed
   Dreaming to the music in her head

   She dreamed a magic lover who courted her with grace
   He brought her crimson roses and gowns of white lace
   But the twins are always cryin' and the dog is out of bones
   And her mama's always leavin' them alone

   CHORUS:
   So she puts on the apron of care
   And her whole world changes and her lover's not there
   Yes she puts on the apron of care
   Takes the rose from her bosom
   Takes the ribbon from her flowing brown hair

   Now she's got a husband, now they've got a kid
   Now she's got no time to do the dreaming she did
   They talk of going dancing, talk of Santa Fe
   But somehow they never seem to get away

   CHORUS:
   So she puts on the apron of care
   Takes the rose from her bosom, takes the ribbon from her hair
   Yes she puts on the apron of care
   And it's not that she minds it
   But sometimes she'd rather something else to wear

   BRIDGE:
   She dreams a magic lover in her husband's clothes
   And he's trying to remember how the fairy tale goes

   CHORUS:
   He says take off the apron of care
   Put the rose on your bosom, put the ribbon in your hair
   Honey take off the apron of care
   Cause it won't last forever and it's
   Time that you had something else to wear

   CHORUS:
   Honey take off the apron of care
   Look into my eyes and see your lover right there
   Honey take off the apron of care
   Put the rose on your bosom
   Put the ribbon in your flowing brown hair
   
   Put the rose on your bosom
   Put the ribbon in your flowing brown hair

   Click for a printable copy of The Apron of Care

   
   
5. MY HEADACHE, MY HEARTACHE...
   ©1996 Walter H. Crockett Jr.

   We hit the streets about 7 p.m.
   We wait till the sun's hanging low, shining dim
   Then we march to the barroom
   Just as blue as can be
   My headache, my heartache, my backache and me

   Well my headache screams, "Son,
   Turn the dang jukebox down"
   My heartache cries, "Buddy,
   Our baby left town"
   My backache keeps naggin,
   "Let's go home, watch TV"
   But they'll soon simmer down
   Cause the drinks are on me

   CHORUS:
   And there's four of us wondering when you're coming home
   Hobbled with pain since you left us alone
   But we'll stand together through adversity
   My headache, my heartache, my backache and me

   Well my head tells my heart
   "Man, you ain't got no spine"
   My heart tells my backbone
   "You're losing your mind"
   They make such a racket
   I can't hardly think
   But you can hear a pin drop
   When I pour four more drinks

   You left us ten lonesome fingers
   I've worked to the bone
   Nine hot dogs, eight buns,
   Seven movies on loan
   One six pack of Red Dog
   Five locks with no key
   A headache, a heartache, a backache and me

   CHORUS:
   And there's four of us wondering when you're coming home
   Howlin' with pain since you left us alone
   But we shall salute you wherever you be
   My headache, my heartache, my backache and me

   CHORUS:
   Now there's eight of us wondering when you're coming home
   Doubled with pain since you left us alone
   But we'll stand together through eternity
   My headache, my heartache, my hip ache, my neck ache
   My knee ache, my toothache, my backache and me

   Click for a printable copy of My Headache, My Heartache...

   
   
6. AS I FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU
   ©1996 Walter Crockett    ... as sung by Valerie
   

   Look here, lean close, hold me with your eyes
      as the morning light streams through
   Release my hand, let me trace your smile
      as I fall in love with you

   CHORUS:
   Breathe the song of the rolling dawn
      as our hearts beat strong and true
   Slowly day leads the dark away
      as I fall in love with you

   Our hearts are light as the sparrow's song
      as he dances on the dew
   Our hopes shine far as the morning star
      as I fall in love with you

   CHORUS:
   Shield these eyes from the old sunrise
      and recall the night we knew
   Hold me now like your morning flower
      as I fall in love with you

   BRIDGE:
   Been so long since I
      wore this smile that this
         heart of mine needs a
            little while to...

   CHORUS:
   Breathe the song of the rolling dawn
      as our hearts beat strong and true
   Hold me now like your morning flower
      as I fall in love with you
   As I fall in love with you

   Click for a printable copy of As I Fall In Love With You

   
   
7. SOUTHBOUND TRUCKER
   ©1996 Walter H. Crockett Jr.

   Girl I ain't gonna tell you no lies
   Can't get straight my alibis
   When you wake up in the morning I'll be gone
   Kissin's so good and your huggin's so fine
   Guess I'll get some one more time
   But when the party's over I'll be movin on

   CHORUS:
   Then I'll leave town
   At the break of dawn
   Southbound trucker take me down the road
   I'm a ramblin man
   One guitar and a free right thumb
   On the two strike hitchhike turnpike
   That's like home to me

   Been to the river and I've been to jail
   Got the women and the welfare on my tail
   I'm a two-time loser, law and love
   But like a big White diesel humming down the line
   And when I close my eyes I hear the engines whine
   You're the one that I've been dreaming of

   REPEAT CHORUS

   Two little boys in Abilene
   I got a daughter in Dallas I ain't never seen
   I was a long gone daddy at 22
   But I took my freedom and I take my time
   Got just one thing on my mind
   To spend this evening loving you

   REPEAT CHORUS

   Click for a printable copy of Southbound Trucker

   
   
8. TELL ME NOW
   ©1996 Valerie Crockett

   The dew reflects the morning sun,
         the dawn is clear and bright
   The mirror on the wall reflects
         a long and sleepless night
   with a happy face turned haggard now,
         mascara smudged and smeared
   The weary bloodshot eyes I see are
         faucets running tears

   CHORUS:
   You've said it before
         and you'll say it again
   But it's not only what,
         it's a matter of when
   Tell me now, tell me now

   Yesterday I lost someone
         dear and close to me
   I'm terrified by sadness marching in
         so suddenly
   So gently press your lips to mine,
         smoothe my tangled hair
   Sorrow's holding hands with fear,
         convince me you're still there

   REPEAT CHORUS

   BRIDGE:
   The umbrella that I left at work yesterday,
         by the door
   Won't keep the rain from drenching my skin
         in today's downpour

   Place your knowing hands upon my waist,
         kiss me with your eyes
   Firmly pull me close to you,
         my crazy heart denies
   Anything but feelings now,
         reason comes with time
   Wrap me in your loving arms
         until I know you're mine

   REPEAT CHORUS

   Tell me now. Tell me now.

   Click for a printable copy of Tell Me Now

   
   
9. DON'T MAKE HER AFRAID
   ©1996 Valerie Crockett

   Do you remember to tell her that you love her?
   Do you even remember that it's true?
   Do you realize the risk you're taking
   When you're gambling she won't leave you?
      Falling back to your mean old ways
      If you lose that woman you'll be gaining
         some long and lonely days

   CHORUS:
   Don't make her afraid of you
   Or you'll scare your love apart
   Don't make her afraid of you
   Fear can freeze even the warmest heart
   Don't make her afraid

   Do you remember the time before you knew her?
   A lonesome cactus in the sand
   Hurting the ones who try to touch you
   A fault finding man
      She peeled off your thorny skin
      But now you seem to be slipping
         right back in again

   REPEAT CHORUS

   BRIDGE:
   You shrug your shoulders, say that you don't know
      just what she needs from you
         or what you should do
   Pick yourself up, open up and grow
      You always said to keep on learning
         find a way to keep love burning
   Don't make her afraid

   REPEAT CHORUS

   Click for a printable copy of Don't Make Her Afraid

   
   
10. NOBODY
    ©1996 Walter H. Crockett Jr.

    Nobody saw you kiss him
    By the garden wall last night
    And nobody heard you moan his name
    In the early morning light
       You met at an out-of-the-way hotel
       Where nobody happens to go
       If anyone's seen you together
       Nobody's saying so
    So if someone should claim that you've
    Fallen in love with him
    Nobody would believe
    Ain't that just my luck, to be nobody
    Oh ain't that just my luck, to be nobody

    Nobody's seen you crying
    Cause you're feeling so confused
    And nobody knows that you're dying to go
    But you've got so much to lose
       Everyone thinks you still love me
       But nobody knows the truth
       Someone's got to make a decision
       And nobody can help you
    Cause when you get back from your
    Cheating with somebody
    Nobody won't be home
    Ain't that just my luck, to be nobody

    BRIDGE:
    And if anyone ever should ask you
    Who it was taught you to love
    Tell 'em it was nobody special
    That'll be close enough

    He said nobody has to suffer
    Nobody has to know
    But I say somebody's going to break the
    Heart of the carefree girl
    That I love so
       Then when he's gone and you're crying alone
       Nobody will cry for you
    Ain't that just my luck, to be nobody
    Oh ain't that just my luck, to be nobody
    Oh ain't that just my luck, to be nobody

    Click for a printable copy of Nobody

    
    
11. I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT
    ©1996 Walter Crockett    ... as sung by Valerie
    

    It was late January, a year ago
    You were sifting through some papers
    When a note fell to the floor
    And the way you rushed to grab it
    I had to laugh, I made a joke
    Then I never thought about it anymore

    I might have wondered why you didn't laugh
    When I teased you, "What's her name?"
    Why you quickly changed the subject
    And started talking 'bout some game
    I might have wondered what you mumbled
    When I said, "I love you so"
    But I never thought about it anymore
    

    CHORUS: No I never thought about it
    Cause I knew our love was real
    And I'd never learned to doubt
    The magic way you made me feel
    Though I'd never heard you hesitate
    To say, "I love you so"
    Still I never thought about it anymore

    And all through the springtime
    I could feel the weather change
    There were weekend trips and conference calls
    And meetings to arrange
    And though you used to say your
    Love went with me everywhere you'd go
    It seemed you never thought about it anymore

    BRIDGE:
    And every time I would
    Search out your eyes
    There'd be somebody hiding
    Just out of sight

    I came home one April evening
    And the message light was on
    When I heard her voice I knew at once
    And I cried until the dawn
    Then I left the love remaining
    In a note upon the door
    And I never thought about it anymore

    CHORUS:
    No I never thought about it
    Cause I knew it wasn't real
    And I'll never figure out the kind of
    Pain you made me feel
    And it hurt me most to know that I'm
    The fool who loved you so
    So I never thought about it anymore

    Except for late at night and all day long
    And everywhere I go
    No I never thought about it anymore
    No I never thought about it anymore

    Click for a printable copy of I Never Thought About It

    
    
12. THE COMPUTER SONG
    ©1995 Valerie Crockett

    CHORUS:
    Thousands and thousands of hours with her
    Did he throw them all away?
    Thousands and thousands of hours with her
    Disappear in a single day.

    She said something inside of her has broken
    Her memory doesn't make her feel the same.
    Any warmth on display is just a token
    Of her hard driving heart, what a shame.

    REPEAT CHORUS

    He tries to call her up, get information
    Tries to understand her quick escape.
    But his input doesn't reach it's destination
    She can't be prompted to try to save those

    REPEAT CHORUS

    BRIDGE:
    He was hoping for recovery, hoping for the key
    To retrieve her love and their intimacy.
    But when he tries to read her, she's empty and cold
    Five years has gotten just a little bit too old.

    REPEAT CHORUS

    He figured out the password was devotion
    That made his every entry authorized
    But when he tried to access her emotion
    She booted him and headed for the clear blue skies

    REPEAT CHORUS

    Click for a printable copy of The Computer Song

    
    
13. I SAID GOODBYE
    ©1996 Valerie Crockett

    I said goodbye, I've done my grieving
    I said goodbye, but this sorrow ain't leaving
    My weeping has stopped, my tears have dried
    But I can't stop this pain inside

    I miss that man, he was so dear to me
    I miss that man, he treated me tenderly
    He ain't coming back, I know that he's gone
    Still I pray for a miracle to send him along

    Now I wonder just how long it takes
    I'm beginning to wonder how to fix a heartbreak
    I get through the day, do what I have to do
    But every night I dream about you

    I said goodbye, I've done my grieving
    I said goodbye, but this sorrow ain't leaving
    My weeping has stopped, my tears have dried
    But I can't stop this pain inside

    Click for a printable copy of I Said Goodbye

    
    

That's all 13 songs from Unbutton Your Heart. If you'd like to print all of them at once, click here for a printable copy of all the songs on the album, without the excess verbiage and link lint.

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