Learning to shine

Intro – 0:00–0:18]

Yeah…

Palm trees where the pines used to be

Bright lights starin’ back at me

I ain’t runnin’, I ain’t hidin’ now

Just learnin’ how to breathe when they lookin’

⸻

I swapped a back porch for a balcony view

Sunset Blvd where the rent’s damn cruel

Used to know every face in my town

Now I’m a headline when I walk around

They clap real loud when you hot right now

Then disappear when the buzz burns out

I miss dirt roads, cheap whiskey nights

Now it’s flashbulbs blinding my eyes

⸻

I still cuss when shit don’t feel right

Still talk to God most every night

Tryna keep my boots on solid ground

While the whole damn world watchin’ now

⸻

I’m livin’ in L.A., yeah the lights stay on

Spotlight heavy but I carry on

They love you loud, then they judge like hell

If you slip one time, they’ll ring that bell

I ain’t perfect, I ain’t clean

Just a country heart in a city scene

Gettin’ used to the noise, the fame, the pain

Learnin’ how to shine without goin’ insane

⸻

Late-night drives past the Hollywood sign

Thinkin’ ‘bout home, wonderin’ if I’m fine

Friends back there think I changed my ways

Truth is life just hit me in waves

Some nights I’d trade this million-dollar view

For a front-yard fire and a beer or two

But dreams don’t grow where you stay afraid

So I face this city head-on, unashamed

⸻

I ain’t sell my soul, I just learned the game

How to walk through fire without losin’ my name

It’s loud out here, but I hear my voice

Still makin’ my own damn choice

⸻

I’m livin’ in L.A., yeah the lights stay on

Spotlight heavy but I carry on

They love you loud, then they judge like hell

If you slip one time, they’ll ring that bell

I ain’t perfect, I ain’t clean

Just a country heart in a city scene

Gettin’ used to the noise, the fame, the pain

Learnin’ how to shine without goin’ insane

⸻

So if you see me smilin’ under neon rain

Know it took some scars to wear this name

I’m still me, just standin’ tall

Country soul in a spotlight crawl