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Before It's Too Late

by Karen Tobin

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1.
It’s hard to believe, lookin’ at me That I’d be the lonely one Rumors in town say I’ve been around Yeah I guess I’ve had my fun Money can bring material things But it’s no good at holding you tight There’s a chill in the air It’s gonna be a cold one tonight I’ve got a homeless heart I’m hungry for romance I’d be willin to work for love All I need is a chance All I want are some tender arms And a new place to start Could it be you? Are you looking too? For a homeless heart When I first saw you, somehow I knew You were qualified The smile on your face hides just a trace Of an empty place inside Between the lines you show all the signs Of a heart that’s about given up Well you’re not alone We’re both searchin for someone to love Electric, acoustic, and gut string guitars: Howard Yearwood ; drums: Gary Ferguson; bass: Taras Prodaniuk; mandolin: Cary Park; piano: Jack Lee; harmony vocals: Karen Tobin and Lisa Bialac-Jehle E. Berghoff, M. Fosson, K. Tobin © Eds Up Music, ASCAP; Big Otis Music, BMI; Snap Happy Music, BMI
2.
I’ve been cautious and careful All around my feelings like walking on high-wire rope Searchin’ and seekin’, wanting to believe in Hope my confusion doesn’t show Because love is such a powerful thing It can last three days or for eternity It can make you weak, it can make you strong Feel so right even when it’s wrong Taken for granted or tossed away Bring tears of joy, it can devastate Oh love, oh oh love When hurting words are spoken I’ve felt a range of emotion, have a hard time letting go Those old memories haunted but love is so undaunted It sure can keep you from the cold Love is such a mystery It can bring you hope and teach your heart to sing Turn you on and turn you down Think it’s gone for good, then it comes back around Up and down like some roller coaster, baby Ooh ooh love, such a mystery It can happen in an instant Then no more walking through this world alone Love is such a delicate thing It’s got kisses sweet and touches tenderly First it’s holdin’ you close then lettin’ you go Taking it fast then it’s movin too slow Lying in the sunshine, feeling the rays Then alone in the darkness feelin’ the pain of Love, oh ooh love It’ll make you weep when a baby’s born Break you down and leave you torn When you lose someone who is dear to you You wanna tell the rest who are near to you How much you love them Before it’s too late Electric guitars: Edward Tree; electric solo: Marc Mann; bass: Taras Prodaniuk; drums: Shawn Nourse; harmony vocals: Essra Mohawk and Karen Tobin © K. Tobin; Snap Happy Music, BMI
3.
My weakness Is in those blue eyes Just one look and I’m on fire Oh you got me goin’ crazy Feels like I’m walking On a tightrope wire Can't you see what you're doin’ to me? Don't you know there’s no place My heart can hide? How can I keep you from seeing Right through me When I can't turn away From those blue eyes? Should I go now Or should i gamble That I can trust in those eyes of blue? Is that heartache in those blue eyes Or do I see a love so true? What's behind those eyes of blue? Is it love enough to Last a whole life through? Can't you see what you're doin’ to me? Don't you know there’s no place My heart can hide? How can I keep you from seeing Right through me When I can't turn away From those blue eyes? When I can't turn away From those blue eyes? Electric guitar: Edward Tree; bass: Taras Prodaniuk; drums: Shawn Nourse; B-3 organ and piano: Jack Lee; electric solo: Craig Stull; lead vocal: Karen Tobin; harmony vocals: Craig Stull and Karen Tobin © K. Tobin, R. Sharp, M. Fosson Snap Happy Music, BMI; Longitude, EMI, ASCAP; Big Otis Music, BMI
4.
You left your shadow on the wall And like a ghostly apparition It haunts me in the dark Calls to my broken heart And keeps me up remembering And like a wound that never heals The pain I feel’s relentless No matter what i do Your memory cuts right through Against it I’m defenseless I try to run but I can’t hide I can’t escape these tears I’ve cried Each one that falls breaks me in two With loving memories of you And I’ve got nowhere I can go That the ghost of the love won’t follow You took my heart, you took it all And left your shadow on the wall Days go by and there’s no change Time offers no solution I still fear the fall of night Get lost in broad daylight There is no restitution I try to run but I can’t hide I can’t escape these tears I’ve cried Each one that falls breaks me in two With loving memories of you And I’ve got nowhere I can go That the ghost of the love won’t follow You took my heart, you took it all And left your shadow on the wall You took my heart, you took it all And left your shadow on the wall You took my heart, you took it all And left your shadow on the wall Electric guitars and bass: Edward Tree; drums: Shawn Nourse; synth strings: Jack Lee; lead vocal: Karen Tobin © K. Tobin, B. Collins Snap Happy Music, BMI; Collins Music, BMI
5.
I know it’s just a small thing But there’s such a sweet ring When you whisper my name I always want to hold you I guess I never told you I sure hope that you feel the same Let’s make some sparks fly, honey And maybe we’ll ignite the flame I know what’s been missin’ Your huggin and a-kissin’ You tickle me down to my core I know just what I’m needing And you got me believing You and me could be so much more Let’s make some sparks fly, honey Maybe we can light a fire The flame of love It burns hotter every day To live without love Would be such a crying shame So when the sparks fly, honey Maybe we can light a flame I kow that it’s a strange thing And I don’t prearrange things I guess it sorta happens that way One touch and then I tingle I’m tired of being single I think I’m really ready for a change Let’s make some sparks fly honey And maybe we’ll ignite the flame The flame of love It burns hotter every day To live without love Would be such a crying shame So when the sparks fly, honey Maybe we can light a flame Electric guitar: Edward Tree; slide guitar solo: John McDuffie; bass: Taras Prodaniuk; drums: Shawn Nourse; piano: Jack Lee; harmony vocals: Karen Tobin and Craig Stull © K.Tobin; Snap Happy Music, BMI
6.
Oh the sun’s shining bright Yes indeed it’s a beautiful day Not a cloud in the sky Yes indeed it’s a beautiful day And you’re holdin’ me close And I’m looking in your eyes Darlin’ you’re like a rose And your love takes me off to paradise Where a gentle breeze is blowin’ Chasing all our cares away And I’ll walk through this world knowin’ When I’m with you It’s a beautiful day Oh the sun’s shining bright Yes indeed it’s a beautiful day Not a cloud in the sky Yes indeed it’s a beautiful day Where a gentle breeze is blowin’ Chasing all our cares away And I’ll walk through this world knowin’ When I’m with you It’s a beautiful day When I’m with you It’s a beautiful day Acoustic guitars: Howard Yearwood; mandolin: John David; bass: Paul Marshall; drums: Shawn Nourse; lead vocal: Karen Tobin; harmony vocals: Craig Stull and Karen Tobin © K. Tobin; Snap Happy Music, BMI
7.
You came on soft and easy Like a warm summer’s rain Your kisses washed away this heart of stone You swore you’d never leave me But you left me just the same I was better of without you I was better off alone You laid me down in a bed of promises Swore I saw true love in your eyes You had me dreamin’ of forever But I woke up in a bed of lies Before the day I met you I was running wild and free Breaking hearts and breaking every rule But now I can’t forget you Look at what you done to me I’m a brokenhearted, crying, lonesome, lovesick fool You laid me down in a bed of promises Swore I saw true love in your eyes You had me dreamin’ of forever But I woke up in a bed of lies Electric guitar and slide guitar: Edward Tree; bass: Taras Prodaniuk; drums: Shawn Nourse; lead vocal: Karen Tobin; harmony vocals: Karen Tobin and Lisa Bialac-Jehle © K. Tobin, M. Fosson, A. Nathanson Snap Happy Music, BMI; Big Otis Music, BMI; Home of the Hits, BMI
8.
Flying into Amarillo, Thursday morning 9:05 And I rent a car cause I’ve still got a hundred-mile drive Watch the buildings turn to barbed wire And an old ranch windmill turns Heading home to where I don’t live anymore My daddy comes out when he sees me I can tell he’s slowing down But he gets my mom and takes us all To the only café in town And Bonnie brings us coffee The neighbors they all gather round And they ask me when will I be moving home We talk about how much has changed And yet somehow remains the same We reminisce, old friends and me And talk about what used to be Do the boys still meet at Alsop’s To find the girls on Friday night? And race their cars down 83 Out to the county line? The water tower, Wilson’s pond The church where my folks still go When they’re gone, there’ll be no reason To come home We talk about how much has changed And yet somehow remains the same We reminisce, old friends and me And talk about what used to be Acoustic and electric guitars: Craig Stull; bass: Paul Marshall; drums: Shawn Nourse; piano: Jack Lee; lead vocal: Karen Tobin; harmony vocals: Craig Stull and Karen Tobin © K. Tobin, P. Marshall, S. Roberson Snap Happy Music, BMI; Paul Marshall Music, ASCAP; Steve Roberson Music, BMI
9.
Take back your ring Take back your picture They don't mean a thing Without you around Take back the promise You made in the dark All that I ask is Give back my heart Take back the nights We loved until dawn How could it feel so right And end up so wrong? Moments of magic Till we had to part All that I ask is Give back my heart How can I go on living When I can't seem to forget Your memory Unfortunately I'm not quite over you yet Remember the time When we danced in the rain We laughed till we cried As you twirled me around I knew it was risky Right from the start All that I ask is Give back my heart Take back your shirt Take back your letters Meaningless words And an old souvenir Oh, I tried to resist you But I let down my guard All that I ask is Give back my heart All that I ask is Give back my heart © Karen Tobin; Snap Happy Music BMI
10.
She’s just a honky tonk heartache Waiting to happen She’ll never love you ’cause Love doesn’t matter She’s a honky tonk heartache She’ll make you cry Take my advice Kiss that heartache goodbye Out every night Playing around Spending your money, honey Painting the town People are talkin’ You know it’s true Why do you put up with what She puts you through It’s not my problem I guess that’s right None of my business how You run your life I just hate seein’ her walk over you Don’t you think it’s time You stopped playin’ her fool? Electric guitar: Edward Tree; bass: Taras Prodaniuk; drums: Shawn Nourse; piano: Jack Lee; lead and harmony vocals: Karen Tobin © K. Tobin, M. Fosson Snap Happy Music, BMI; Big Otis Music, BMI
11.
He drove all night to find her again Through the blinding snow and the freezing wind He had tried so hard to let love die But his heart wouldn’t let him say goodbye Her memory was burning in his heart Ever since the day they had to part Time had left its mark on him But nothing else had changed He’d walk through fire for her And Laura was her name He’d walk through fire for her He’d do anything He’d live and die for her Just to hold her in his arms again It was late one night back in 1965 He had to face a man who held a knife It had happened accidentally But the judge and jury showed no sympathy He spent his best years payin’ for the crime He’d memorized her letters line for line He kept her tattered photo Danglin’ from a golden chain He’d walk though fire for her And Laura was her name He’d walk through fire for her He’d do anything He’d live and die for her Just to hold her in his arms again He held his breath and knocked upon the door She stood there looking lovely as before Though the years had turned her hair to gray Her smile was still the same He’d walk through fire for her And Laura was her name © K. Tobin, M. Fosson Snap Happy Music, BMI; Big Otis Music, BMI
12.
Burnin' 02:55
Like the steam from a blacktop road I feel the heat rising in my soul And I’m burnin’, burnin’, burnin’ Sun beatin’ on the desert floor I feel a thirst I never felt before And I’m burnin’, burnin,’ burnin’ Like a lion through a hoop of fire Rockets aimin’ at your sweet desire Rubber burnin’ from a spinnin’ tire I’m a live wire when I’m near you Like a fever that I just can’t shake Like the smoke a locomotive makes I’m burnin’, burnin’, burnin’ I’m burnin’, burnin’, burnin’ I’m a siren screaming through the night Heading straight to where you are Love’s a fire that I just can’t fight When I fall into your arms © K. Tobin, M. Fosson Snap Happy Music, BMI; Big Otis Music, BMI
13.
There’s a ring around the moon tonight A chilly wind is blowing through the trees There’s an aching in this heart of mine Ever since the night he set me free And though I know He said he would be easy to forget Still every day I think about that Night we first met There was a ring around the moon that night A chilly wind was blowing through the trees He said the stars were shining in my eyes And he would give to me all that I’d need And I believed those tender lies That said we’d never part He broke that vow he made to me The night he broke my heart There was a ring around the moon that night A chilly wind was blowing through the trees Now there’s an aching in this heart of mine Ever since the night he set me free And I believed those tender lies That said we’d never part He broke that vow he made to me The night he broke my heart Now, There’s a ring around the moon tonight A chilly wind is blowing through the trees There’s an aching in this heart of mine Ever since the night he set me free There’s a ring around the moon tonight There’s a ring around the moon tonight There's a ring around the moon tonight There's a ring around the moon tonight ©K. Tobin, M. Fosson Snap Happy Music, BMI; Big Otis Music, BMI
14.
We were flying high on the wings of love Getting by with just enough Looking down the road to what lay up ahead Never even entered our mind We were taking life day by day Baby you and I had what it takes But a broken promise can bring regret But it never even entered our mind It never even entered our mind Love can fade, people change Nothin’ ever stays the same With the ebb and flow Love comes and goes But it never even entered our mind Never even entered our mind We were just two hearts with a passion’s fire Breaking rules with our love’s desire Didn’t think about the consequence No, it never even entered our mind Love can fade, people change Nothin’ ever stays the same With the ebb and flow Love comes and goes But it never even entered our mind Never even entered our mind I guess we took good love for granted I guess we let it slip away I know it’s not the way we planned it We thought we had all that it takes Love can fade, people change Nothin’ ever stays the same With the ebb and flow Love comes and goes But it never even entered our mind Never even entered our mind Never even entered our mind © K. Tobin; Snap Happy Music, BMI
15.
You’re gone, I’m blue What am I gonna do without you? Now so sad and I miss my best friend Your love will shine On and on throughout the years I know in time I’ll stop crying all these tears Until we meet again Until we meet again I’ll miss your touch And the funny way your nose curled When you laughed so much At the silly things we talked about Oh how I know The moments that we shared Are precious memories Tattooed to my heart forever Until we meet again Until we meet again This whole keeps turning The fires of love keep burning And I can’t stop the yearning In this heart of mine I know I’m gonna love you Until we meet again Until we meet again You’re gone, I’m blue What am I gonna do Without you now? So sad, and I miss The best friend that I had © K. Tobin; Snap Happy Music, BMI
16.
I was going through life Mindin’ my business When I ran into the likes of you Thinkin’ my time had just run out To ever find a love that’s true I was overly cautious, trying be careful A little bit cynical But with the way you love me, baby I think I’ve found myself a miracle In those loving arms that hold me tight Your kisses sweet, it all feels right Anytime that I feel blue I know there’s no place else on earth But your loving arms that’ll do I was outta luck, had given up Didn’t think I stood a chance Of fallin’ in love, livin’ the dream Findin’ a true romance But you touch me tender And you hold me close And chase my fears away Think I’m fallin’ in love Must be fallin’ in love And I know that I want to stay Everybody always thinks I’m crazy But nobody ever felt The way I do In those loving arms that hold me tight Your kisses sweet, it all feels right Anytime that I feel blue I know there’s no place else on earth But your loving arms that’ll do I know there’s no place else on earth But your loving arms that’ll do © K. Tobin; Snap Happy Music, BMI

about

Karen Tobin’s solid Americana/country music roots are bursting at the seams in her long-awaited new release, Before It’s Too Late. Think honky-tonk angel with long golden hair and a crystal clear voice singing no-nonsense lyrics – straight from her heart. Her melodies are memorable and instant toe-tappers that are dance floor worthy. Think: Linda Ronstadt + Emmylou Harris. With the release of Before It’s Too Late, her writing takes you back to the time when songs were stories that meant something. “Give back my heart,” Karen Tobin, now that you’ve squeezed every drop of emotion into it. She’s got decades of credits in the music business but what counts now is what you’ll feel when you listen to her CD or catch her live in concert. Karentobinmusic@gmail.com

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released April 8, 2018

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Karen Tobin Los Angeles, California

Karen Tobin, is a veteran of the Los Angeles Music scene and former recording artist with Arista Records - New York, and Atlantic Records - Nashville. Often compared with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, Karen is a powerful vocalist and a prolific songwriter with a sensitive lyrical style. ... more

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