A song from Willy Porter's album Dog Eared Dream that almost broke my heart when I first heard it as a junior in high school. The fact that lines don't rhyme much at all shouldn't deter you, even if--no, especially if--you're the kind of person who prefers good lyrics to a good tune. In their written form below, they can't really do the stuttering, apologetic tone of the song justice.

Even though the song's hook is mostly in the bass guitar, the open strumming guitar, possibly a twelve string guitar, resonates and really brings out the idea that this Willy Porter guy is lonely; something about an acoustic guitar like that. The backing Hammond organ is a fine counterpoint, not overpowering, but definitely noticeable, especially in some of the bridges. If you're the kind of person who prefers a good tune to good lyrics, you can spend five or six listens just picking out the intricacies of the arrangement. And I'm told he recorded the whole album in one take.

And if you've ever had a painful breakup, and lost touch with someone you were supposed to stay friends with, and you feel like a jerk for letting it slip, you will like this song, and hate it for what it makes you feel.


Well, she hobbled up the porch steps
with her crutches and her broken leg.
She missed me with a smile, walked straight across my heart,
and right on over to Tim.
I said, "Rita, I tried to call you..."
Tim looked at me and he said "goodnight."
I couldn't hold my tears as I stared up at the stars
in the August sky.

I said, "Rita,
won't you come on in?
Hey, Rita,
child, now where you been?"

She looked out into the night
through the broken porch screen.
She said she thought that we were closer;
She expected more from me.
I said, "Hey Rita I thought about you,
and all that we'd been thorough,
but the day your Daddy died, now, Rita,
I just didn't know what to do, I didn't know what to do."

"Hey, Rita,
won't you come on in?
Oh, Rita,
child, now where you been?"

Rita I see your trust is gone...
how long do we have to pay for what's been left undone?


Rita takes her sandals off
and walks barefoot in the grass.
She puts one arm around my shoulder,
as if she were using me for balance.
I said, "Hey, Rita, I'd like to see you, even if we're only friends.
I know if you forgive me, Rita,
I'll forget and you'll remember, and you always remember."

I said, "Rita,
won't you come on in?
Hey, Rita,
I could love you all over again."

"Hey, Rita,
won't you come on in?
Hey, Rita,
Let's start all over again."

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