Good Ole Days and Empty Highways

[Verse 1]
Old dirt road
Fresh black tar
We sprayed our names
On your daddy’s old barn
Short cut creek
Bare feet, red clay
You were riding shotgun
I was racing my age
[Chorus]
Those were the good ole days
Fast cars, slow summers
You laughing in my face
Like we’d never lose each other
Now I’m burning down this interstate
Taillights fading in the rain
Got a heavy foot and an empty seat
And a love that’s too far away
[Verse 2]
Two-lane town
Four-gear dream
Rust on the chrome
But it still ran clean
You swore you’d stay
I swore I’d go
Now your picture’s flapping
On my cracked sun visor, cold
[Chorus]
Those were the good ole days
Fast cars, slow summers
You laughing in my face
Like we’d never lose each other
Now I’m burning down this interstate
Taillights fading in the rain
Got a heavy foot and an empty seat
And a love that’s too far away
[Bridge]
Radio’s playing
Songs we used to sing (oh, those nights)
I keep checking every driveway
For a glimpse of your porch light
If miles were just miles
I could make it back by dawn
But distance feels deeper
Now that you’re gone
[Chorus]
Those were the good ole days
Fast cars, slow summers
You laughing in my face
Like we’d never lose each other
Now I’m burning down this interstate
Praying for a sign to change
Got a heavy foot and an empty seat
And a love that’s too far away
Yeah, a love that’s too far away

country, Warm acoustic country-bluegrass blend with male vocals; brushed snare, upright bass, mandolin chops, and twangy dobro fills. Verses stay intimate and storytelling, with tight harmonies on key phrases. Chorus opens wider with stacked vocals and a subtle fiddle answering the melody; tempo mid-up for a driving, windows-down feel even as the lyrics lean bittersweet. Light room reverb, vocal right up front, classic radio-ready sheen., traditional country, bluegrass