The Tropics Of Tennessee

  

(Written by Steve Hopper) 

 I live in the tropics, the tropics of Tennessee  
 I got my own little island down here  
 off the coast of Kentucky  
 Well I bet you think I've lost my   mind  
but from my hammock here I'm doing fine 
it's the perfect place for me  
The tropics of Tennessee  

Palm trees swaying in the breeze 
All around my house 
A two bedroom bungalow 
And it's a strange site no doubt 
Cause people when their passing by 
Take a double take they can't believe their eyes  
It's an  awesome site to see 
The tropics of Tennessee 

Around back there's a swimming pool 
Right beside a tiki bar 
And I'm the leader of a island band 
And people come from near and far 
Cause there's a party going on every Saturday night 
The  neighbors are here so they don't mind  
It's the only place to be 

Well you may think I've lost my mind 
Cause my life runs on island time 
It's the  perfect place for me 
In the tropics of Tennessee


credits

from The Tropics Of Tennessee, 
Cut in Sheffield Alabama at the Nutt House Recording Studio 
Engineered by Jimmy Nutt 
Bass : David Hood 
Acoustic Guitar and Electric Guitar : Will McFarlane  
Pedal Steel Guitar : Wayne Bridge 
Electric Piano : N. C Thurman 
Drums : Darrell Holder 
Congas : Rob Irons 
Steel Pan: Steve Hopper


The Wind And You And Me


(Written by Steve Hopper) 

Last night you came to me 
In an  early morning dream 
We were sailing on the ocean 
Just the wind and you and me 

We were heading for an  island 
To find a place to hideaway 
Spend the day like two lost lovers 
Romantic  castaways 

When we reached our destination 
As i took you in my arms 
Suddenly the spell was broken 
By the sound of my alarm 

Then I woke the room was empty 
it had only been a dream 
And how I long to feel your warm 
And soft body next to me 

So the reason I'm calling 
Is To let you know I'm come home 
I think I'm tired of all this running 
And I need to feel like I belong 

We can slip away tomorrow  
Let the sails set us free 
Somewhere out on the water 
Just the wind and you and me 

Just the wind and you and me 

Just the wind and you and me


credits

from The Tropics Of Tennessee, 
Cut in Sheffield Alabama at the Nutt House Recording Studio 
Engineered by Jimmy Nutt 
Bass : Bob Wray 
Electric Guitar : Berry Bellins 
Pedal Steel Guitar : Wayne Bridge 
Drums : Justin Holder  
Percussion Instruments : Richard  Provenico 
Acoustic Guitar and Steel Pan : Steve Hopper

Misfit town


(Written by Steve Hopper) 

This damned old town is like a big black hole 
It draws you in and it swallows you whole 
It's void of light and it void of hope 
And it's never felt like home 
And there's a cold wind blowing down the avenue  
And when your alone in the city it cuts you into 
But there's a warm breeze blowing down thru the keys 
And that's where I'm going to be 

'Cause   I'm  
Getting out of this misfit town 
I'm leaving tonight and I won't slow down 
Till I'm out of site and I'm out of sound 
Of this misfit town 

I've got everything I own in my old truck 
It's parked outside with tank filled up 
With a little bit of hope and a little bit of luck 
I'll be gone when the sun comes up 
Now the only thing that's going to ease my mind  
Is seeing that city limit sign  
In my rear view mirror beside that white line 
And leaving it far behind 

'Cause   I'm  
Getting out of this misfit town 
I'm leaving tonight and I won't slow down 
Till I'm out of site and I'm out  of sound 
Of this misfit town 

Some place warmer is bound to be 
The cure for what's ailing me 

'Cause   I'm  
Getting out of this misfit town 
I'm leaving tonight and I won't slow down 
Till I'm out of site and I'm out  of sound 
Of this misfit town.  
 'I'm  Getting out of this misfit town 
I'm leaving tonight and I won't slow down 
'Til I'm out of site and I'm out of sound 

Of this misfit town 

Of this misfit town


credits

from The Tropics Of Tennessee, 
Cut in Sheffield Alabama at the Nutt House Recording Studio 
Engineered by Jimmy Nutt 
Bass : Bob Wray 
Electric Guitar : Berry Bellins 
Pedal Steel Guitar : Wayne Bridge 
Drums : Justin Holder  
Percussion Instruments : Richard  Provenico 
Acoustic Guitar and Steel Pan : Steve Hopper

The Trail Of Broken Hearts


(Written by Steve Hopper) 

I walked into the bar I said excuse me if you please  
but I'm looking for a woman who just walked out on me 
And he was seating at the end with his head down in his drink  
but he raised his eyes when I mentioned her name 

He said follow the trail of broken hearts 
Just follow the others she's left falling apart 
She's left a long line you see of guys that look just like you and me 
So follow the trail of broken hearts 

So I took the stool beside him and u ordered us a round 
And we talked about that woman who had let us down 
Then he lifted up his glass and said lets drink to you and me 
And to that burning memory that just won't let us be 

Here's to the trail of broken hearts 
Here's to the others she's left falling apart 
She's left a long line you see of guys that look just like you and me 
So Here's to the trail of broken hearts 

And I was just about to leave when a cowboy came up from behind  
He was looking for the same one  
That I'd come there to find 

I said follow the trail of broken hearts 
Just follow the others she's left falling apart 
She's left a long line you see of guys that look just like you and me 
So just follow the trail of broken hearts 

just follow the trail of broken hearts


credits

from The Tropics Of Tennessee,
Cut in Sheffield Alabama at the Nutt House Recording Studio 
Engineered by Jimmy Nutt 
Bass : Bob Wray 
Electric Guitar : Berry Bellins 
Pedal Steel Guitar : Wayne Bridge 
Drums : Justin Holder  
Percussion Instruments : Richard  Provenico 
Acoustic Guitar : Steve Hopper

Letting Go Of The Stern Line


(Written by Steve Hopper) 

I was eight years old in the middle of the cove 
Tagging along with some older boys 
Out to the deep part of the 
Harbor  

tired of swimming in the shallow end 
So my older brother and all his friends 
Had all jumped in  
to the water 

I was the last to go 
But still hanging on 
To a line 
On the back of the boat 
Half scared to death 
Then I remember how it felt 

Letting go of the Stern line 
Swimming away from the boat for the first time 
Turning loose of the fears inside my mind  
Now after all of these years 
I've never felt as free  
as letting go of the stern line   

I turned eighteen young, and green 
And I let out for parts unseen 
So many things I had to know 
  
My first night away from home 
In a hotel room all alone 
With the world outside of my window 

The traffic was blairing, Sirens screaming 
The sounds of the city Closing in on me 
And I closed my eyes 
And I remembered that first time 

Letting go of the Stern line 
Swimming away from the boat for the first time 
Turning loose of the fears inside my mind  
Now after all of these years 
I've never felt as free  
as letting go of the stern line  

Now every now and then life turns on a dime 
And when it does I remind myself how it felt that time 

Letting go of the Stern line 
Swimming away from the boat for the first time 
Turning loose of the fears inside my mind  
Now after all of these years 
I've never felt as free  
as letting go of the stern line  

Swimming away from the boat for the first time 
Turning loose of the fears inside my mind  
Now after all of these years 
I've never felt as free  
as letting go of the stern line 


credits

from The Tropics Of Tennessee,
Cut in Sheffield Alabama at the Nutt House Recording Studio 
Engineered by Jimmy Nutt 
Bass : Bob Wray 
Electric Guitar, and Acoustic Guitar : Berry Bellins 
Pedal Steel Guitar : Wayne Bridge 
Drums : Justin Holder  
Percussion Instruments : Richard  Provencio  
Steel Pan : Steve Hopper

Bottle This Up


(Written By Steve Hopper) 

I've been here all week now the week is all gone 
And tomorrow morning I'll be driving back home 

As I threw another bottle down I got to looking around, I saw all this sand 
That's when I got this plan 

I'm gonna bottle this up, and take it back home 
I'll pour it all out and I'll have a beach of my own. 

Now how about another round 
these Landsharks I can't get enough 
I'm slammin' 'em down so I can bottle this up. 

If I could figure out how to get this lounger in the van, with a few dozen landsharks filled 
up with sand, A big bag of assorted shells, some sand dollars and some hermit crabs, 
And this big 'ole beach umbrella 

Yes, now I think I'm gonna bottle this up and take it back home, 
I'll pour it all out and I'll have a beach of my own. 

Now how about another round 
these Landsharks I can't get enough 
I'm slammin' 'em down so I can bottle this up. 


I'm gonna bottle this up and take it back home 
pour it all out and I'll have a beach of my own 
Now how about another round 
these Landsharks I can't get enough 
I'm slammin' 'em down so I can bottle this up 
Now how about another round, 
These Landsharks I can't get enough 
I'm slammin' 'em down so I can bottle this up.


credits

from The Tropics Of Tennessee, 
Cut in Sheffield Alabama at the Nutt House Recording Studio 
Engineered by Jimmy Nutt 
Bass : Jamie McFarlane 
Acoustic Guitar ,Electric Guitar : Will McFarlane 
Pedal Steel Guitar : Wayne Bridge 
Drums : Justin Holder 
Percussion:Richard Provencio 
Ukulele: Steve Hopper


The Island Down Below


(Richard Provencio / Steve Hopper 

Hey my friend wake up, come and go with me, 
There's a island not too far away that you just got to see. 

Come on Hey Joe, Now Hey Joe, Hey Joe, come on let's go to the island down below. 
Now Hey Joe, Now Hey Joe, Hey Joe, come on let's go to the island down below. 

In the market square there's a pretty little girl yeah, pretty as she can be
With the wink of a eye she flashes a smile, but she only smiles for me.

Now Hey Joe, Now Hey Joe, Hey Joe, come on let's go to the island down below. 

Middle of the town, when the sun goes down, the band begins to play 
Everybody comes when they hear the drums and the girls begin to sway. 

I gotta go, if I've gotta swim, if I gotta catch a boat, I don't care how I gotta get there 
Yeah I just got ta go. 

Now Hey Joe, Now Hey Joe, Hey Joe, come on let's go to the island down below. 
Now Hey Joe, Now Hey Joe, Now Hey Joe, come on let's go to the island down below. 

Hey my friend, wake up, come and go with me 
There's a island not too far away that you've just got to see.


credits

from The Tropics Of Tennessee, 
Cut in Sheffield Alabama at the Nutt House Recording Studio 
Engineered by Jimmy Nutt 
Bass : Jamie McFarlane 
Acoustic Guitar ,Electric Guitar : Will McFarlane 
Pedal Steel Guitar : Wayne Bridge 
Drums : Justin Holder 
Congas, Percussion: Richard Provencio 
Steel Pan: Steve Hopper

The Lady Waltzing Alone



(Written By Steve Hopper) 

In an old dance hall, on a Saturday night, we were playing the old songs they knew 
When handed to me on a faded loose leaf a nearly forgotten old tune 
Verse and rhyme in three quarter time a melody sweetened by age, 
as we started to play , the crowd pulled away and across the floor she came 

A lady waltzing alone a prisoner of time and a song, 
Whirling and twirling in a world of her own 
A lady waltzing alone 

When first I had chance I had to ask and the story I'll never forget 
about a young bride to be and a sailor on leave and a night a lot like this 
Spell bound by their charms in each other’s arms intheir own little world they were lost 
and together they swayed till the last song was played that beautiful ,timeless old waltz 

Now she's the lady waltzing alone a prisoner of time and a song, 
Whirling and twirling in a word of her own 
A lady waltzing alone 

She's been coming back here some forty odd years trying to relive that night long ago 
In her heart she still yearns for her sailors return but in a way he does for one song 
With the lady waltzing alone a prisoner of time and a song 
Whirling and twirling in a world of her own 
A lady waltzing alone


credits

from The Tropics Of Tennessee,
Cut in Sheffield Alabama at the Nutt House Recording Studio 
Engineered by Jimmy Nutt 
Bass : Jamie McFarlane 
Acoustic Guitar ,Electric Guitar : Will McFarlane 
Pedal Steel Guitar : Wayne Bridge 
Fiddle: Donny Carpenter 
Drums : Justin Holder

loving Up A Storm


(Written by Steve Hopper) 

I don't believe I've ever heard a more lovely sound  
Like the sound of the rain on the roof on its way to the ground 
I love to see the electricity light up the sky 
And the feel of the thunder shaking me deep inside 

Outside the wind is blowing thru the trees 
But I ain't worried and I ain't afraid 
I'm lying here in paradise  
Loving to the sound of the storm outside 

Loving up a storm tonight 
I'm Holding you so close and tight  
i'm Loving up a storm tonight 
When I've got you everything's alright 
So the wind may blow  
The rain may fall 
But that won't bother us at all 
Inside we're safe and warm 
Loving up a storm  

I love just laying here with you in my arms 
Because I know as long as we're together we can weather the storms 
So when life's low black clouds start hanging around 
I rush to your arms and nothing's going to bring me down 

Outside the wind is blowing thru the trees 
But I ain't worried and I ain't afraid 
I'm lying here in paradise  
Loving to the sound of the storm outside 

Loving up a storm tonight 
I'm Holding you so close and tight  
Loving up a storm tonight 
When I've got you everything's all right 
So the wind may blow  
The rain may fall 
But that won't bother us at all 
Inside we're safe and warm 
Loving up a storm  

Outside the wind is blowing thru the trees 
But I ain't worried and I ain't afraid 
I'm lying here in paradise  
Loving to the sound of the storm outside 

Loving up a storm tonight 
I'm Holding you so close and tight  
Loving up a storm tonight 
When I've got you everything's all right 
So the wind may blow  
The rain may fall 
But that won't bother us at all 
Inside we're safe and warm 
Loving up a storm  

Loving up a storm


credits

from The Tropics Of Tennessee, 
Cut in Sheffield Alabama at the Nutt House Recording Studio 
Engineered by Jimmy Nutt 
Bass : Bob Wray 
Electric Guitar : Berry Bellins 
Pedal Steel Guitar : Wayne Bridge 
Drums : Justin Holder  
Percussion Instruments : Richard  Provenico 
Acoustic Guitar and Steel Pan : Steve Hopper

 Leaving Tupelo



(Written by C. Fulmer and S. Hopper) 

A picture on mantel I can't get off my mind 
In a house filled with memories is all that's left behind 
I'm leaving town this morning shy left yesterday 
one last look around as I drive away 

And now I'm leaving Tupelo the sun is slowly rising 
Driving thru the dawn I don't know what's on the horizon 
And there's a chill in the air I've never felt so cold 
I don't know where I'm going I'm just leaving Tupelo 

A sign in the distance is coming in to view 
I hear a lonesome freight train somewhere passing thru 
The road lies before now nothing left behind 
And everything I'm felling is written on that sign 

It says I'm leaving Tupelo the sun is slowly rising 
Driving thru the dawn I don't know what's on the horizon 
And there's a chill in the air I've never felt so cold 
I don't know where I'm going I'm just leaving Tupelo 

And there's a chill in the air I've never felt so cold 
I don't know where I'm going I'm just leaving Tupelo 

No I can't say where I'm going I'm just leaving Tupelo


credits

From the Tropics Of Tennessee, 
Cut in Sheffield Alabama at the Nutt House Recording Studio 
Engineered by Jimmy Nutt 
Bass : Bob Wray 
Electric Guitar : Will McFarlane 
Acoustic Guitar: Jim Seales 
Pedal Steel Guitar : Wayne Bridge 
Electric Piano and Hammond Organ: Larry Byrom 
Drums : Justin Holder