Back of the store

[Verse 1]
Beat-up ride backed in by the grain
Right where they load up hay and feed
Gravel crunch in the desert breeze
Sun goin’ down through the Joshua  trees
Kill the engine, let it all go still
Two broke kids with a little thrill
That old store on the edge of town
Was where we went when we were down


[Pre-Chorus]
We didn’t think ‘bout wrong or right
Just how to make it through the night

⸻

[Chorus – BIG / HOOKY]
We were runnin’ plays out the back of the store
Where the sun burned hot and we needed more
Just two wild hearts in a desert town
Tryin’ to keep our world from breakin’ down

Yeah, a hundred bucks could change our lives
Turn ramen nights into somethin’ right
We weren’t bad, just tryin’ to survive
Where the dust and the dreams collide

Yeah we were young, yeah we made our moves
Back of the store in worn-out shoes
Back of the store… yeah that’s where we grew

⸻

[Verse 2]
She worked that counter every day
Name tag on, hair pulled back in place
Chris leaned in with that crooked smile
Yeah she’d get lost in him for a while
Talkin’ long like there’s nothin’ to do
While I slip past like I always do
“To the back,” yeah I knew the part
While she’s distracted, I’m movin’ smart

⸻

[Pre-Chorus]
Heartbeat kickin’, don’t get caught
Livin’ life in the lines we walked

⸻

[Chorus – BIG / HOOKY]
We were runnin’ plays out the back of the store
Where the sun burned hot and we needed more
Just two wild hearts in a desert town
Tryin’ to keep our world from breakin’ down

Yeah, a hundred bucks could change our lives
Turn ramen nights into somethin’ right
We weren’t bad, just tryin’ to survive
Where the dust and the dreams collide

Yeah we were young, yeah we made our moves
Back of the store in worn-out shoes
Back of the store… yeah that’s where we grew

⸻

[Bridge – emotional build]
Back room shadows, cold drink crates
Heartbeat poundin’, movin’ weight
Every little win bought one more day
Kept that hunger just a step away

(beat drop)

We didn’t have much, but we had each other
Just two broke kids outrunnin’ trouble

⸻

[Final Chorus – BIGGEST]
We were runnin’ plays out the back of the store
Where the sun burned hot and we needed more
Just two wild hearts in a desert town
Tryin’ to keep our world from breakin’ down

Yeah, a hundred bucks used to change our lives
Now it’s just dust in the rearview lights
We weren’t lost, just tryin’ to survive
In a world where you fight to feel alright

Yeah we were young, yeah we paid our dues
Back of the store in worn-out shoes
Back of the store… yeah that’s where we grew

Modern country with pop crossover, emotional male vocal, strong hook, similar energy to Morgan Wallen / Jelly Roll