Scared to Laugh

[Verse 1]
She hides her smile in a long-neck bottle
Stares that label clean through
He’s leaning back like he owns this bar
Boots up, watching every move
He throws out lines he knows ain’t funny
Just to see if she’ll break
She bites her lip, swallows that chuckle
Like it’s more than she can take
[Chorus]
She’s scared to laugh, ‘cause then he’ll know he’s got her
Scared to shine, ‘cause then he’ll see his light
Holding back that little shake of her shoulders
Like it’s the last fence standing in her life
Girl, I see you choking down that thunder
I wish you knew you’re stronger than his pride
You’re scared to laugh, ‘cause then he’ll know he’s got you
So you’re breaking on the inside
[Verse 2]
He tells the story ‘bout his old truck
Third time I’ve heard it tonight
You stare a hole in those cracked old knuckles
Like they’re the punchline you fight
Your eyes get wet at the wrong damn places
Where he thinks he sounds so tough
I catch a spark when your guard slips open
Then you slam that window shut
[Chorus]
You’re scared to laugh, ‘cause then he’ll know he’s got you
Scared to show the soft side in your eyes
Holding back that easy, ringing thunder
Like it’s the only thing you still control tonight
Girl, I see you hiding in that corner
I wish you knew you’re burning bright as day
You’re scared to laugh, ‘cause then he’ll know he’s got you
So your heart just slips away
[Bridge]
One day you’ll hear a joke from a stranger
And it’ll hit you deep and wrong
How simple it is to let go, let it roll
How long he’s held your song
And you’ll laugh so hard the room goes quiet
You’ll scare yourself, then smile
‘Cause he don’t own that sound that’s leaving
It’s been yours all the while
[Chorus]
You were scared to laugh, ‘cause then he’d know he had you
Scared to show the joy he never earned
But there’s a world that’s waiting on your thunder
Every cracked-up, wide-open turn
Girl, when you finally let it roll out
Shaking every shadow from your past
He’ll know he never really got you
The night you’re unafraid to laugh

country, Laid-back live country band feel in a small-room venue; male vocals with a raspy, vulnerable edge. Brushy drums, warm upright bass, and lightly overdriven telecaster picking verses; choruses open with ringing open chords and harmony on key phrases. Occasional fiddle fills answering vocal lines, subtle crowd bleed and room reverb to keep it raw and intimate., tone