Kelly writes and performs the kinds of songs that inspire novels and movies. You could call him a bastard disciple of Kurt Cobain and Townes Van Zandt, and he’d be totally cool with that. He’s just as comfortable wearing a cowboy hat as he is in a Slayer t-shirt. His story so far twists and turns through heartbreak and triumph, an overdose and rehab, empty dive bars and packed venues, living everywhere from South Carolina to Brussels, and as he puts it, “finally getting my shit together and proposing to the love of my life.” It’s this unbelievable experience that informs his singular style—a gravelly patchwork of folk lyricism, grunge attitude, country heart, Americana spirit, and rock energy. Not only has he penned songs for Tim McGraw (“Nashville Without You”), Josh Abbott Band (“Front Row Seat”), and more, but his independent solo debut EP Halloween earned acclaim from KCRW, Consequence of Sound, RELIX, Apple Music, and more. “Poison” racked up over 516K Spotify streams, while “Black Magic” soundtracked the Season Finale of the CBS series Scorpion. He logged countless miles on the road sharing the stage with the likes of The Lumineers and Robert Earl Keen in addition to performing at Bonnaroo and Wakarusa. Signing to Washington Square Music / Razor & Tie and he recorded his full-length debut in 2017.
Cover My Tracks
Ruston Kelly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a hard rain showing me the way
Up from here to the fire escape
I was caught stuck standing in the flames again
Who the hell would you be telling?
Everybody knows my secret well
It's a long look stranded in the maze again
And it's a long way back to California
And I ain't got time to cover my tracks
How the hell do I return to normal
If I'm always ending up flat on my back
Well, these are the golden years
Thought I'd never find 'em
I'd just watch 'em disappear
Into the echoes of all the older lovers
That still whisper my name around here
And it's one more town to be sure
The rain ain't coming 'round here no more
Took me eight years to figure out what to do
And it's a stoned throwback to the old
Habits stored in a well worn coat
That's the price needed to pay to face the truth
And it's a long way back to California
And I ain't got time to cover my tracks
How the hell do I return to normal
If I'm always ending up flat on my back
Well, these are the golden years
I thought I'd never find 'em
I'd just watch them disappear
Into the echoes of all the older lovers
That still whisper my name around here
Yeah, yeah, yeah
And it's a long way back to California
And I ain't got time to cover my tracks
The lyrics of Ruston Kelly's song "Cover My Tracks" reflect a sense of entrapment and desperation of the singer. The song starts with the sound of rain, suggesting that the singer is lost and is searching for a way out. He feels stuck and engulfed in flames, which could represent the chaos and turmoil in his life that he can't seem to escape.
The line "It's a long look stranded in the maze again" suggests that the singer is lost, and he's not sure how to get back on track. He also refers to his secret that everyone knows, indicating that his flaws and past mistakes are not hidden from those around him. He reminisces about his golden years, hoping to find them again, but they seem to have disappeared. Old lovers whisper his name around town, representing memories that he can't seem to shake off.
In the chorus, the singer longs to return to California, which could mean a place of comfort and familiarity. However, he feels like he can't take the time to cover his tracks, suggesting that he has to keep moving forward, despite the mistakes he's made. He wonders if he can ever get back to normal if he keeps falling on his back.
Overall, the song captures the feeling of being lost, trapped and searching for a way out while reflecting on past memories and failures.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a hard rain showing me the way
I'm lost and the difficult circumstances are guiding me.
Up from here to the fire escape
I'm trying to escape the difficult circumstances through any means necessary.
I was caught stuck standing in the flames again
I keep getting trapped in the same difficult situations.
Who the hell would you be telling?
I don't know who I could confide in or trust with my struggles.
Everybody knows my secret well
My difficulties are well known and common knowledge.
It's a long look stranded in the maze again
Trying to navigate through my struggles feels like being lost in a confusing maze.
And it's a long way back to California
Returning back to a peaceful and normal state feels far away and difficult.
And I ain't got time to cover my tracks
I don't have time to hide my actions and intentions from others.
How the hell do I return to normal
I'm uncertain of how to get back to a peaceful and stable state.
If I'm always ending up flat on my back
If I keep getting knocked down by my difficulties.
Well, these are the golden years
This is supposed to be the time of my life where everything is perfect and enjoyable.
Thought I'd never find 'em
At one point, I thought these peaceful and stable times were unattainable.
I'd just watch 'em disappear
But now, I'm losing them again and again, almost as soon as I find them.
Into the echoes of all the older lovers
My past love interests are still lingering and affecting me, almost haunting me.
That still whisper my name around here
Their memory and presence still affects my life and my struggles in this town.
And it's one more town to be sure
I'm moving on to another town, hoping for a fresh start and a new perspective.
The rain ain't coming 'round here no more
The difficult times in this town are over and I'm moving on to somewhere new.
Took me eight years to figure out what to do
It took me a long time and a lot of struggle to find a path through my difficulties.
And it's a stoned throwback to the old
Although I'm moving on to somewhere new, I still find myself falling into old habits and ways of life.
Habits stored in a well worn coat
My old habits and ways of life are so ingrained and familiar that they feel like a part of me, like a well worn coat.
That's the price needed to pay to face the truth
In order to move forward and face my struggles, I have to confront and acknowledge the difficult parts of my life.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
This is a repeated refrain that emphasizes my struggles and the challenges I face.
And it's a long way back to California
Returning back to a peaceful and normal state feels far away and difficult.
And I ain't got time to cover my tracks
I don't have time to hide my actions and intentions from others.
Contributed by Emma P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@caffeinatednation8885
Lyrics
One, two...
[Verse 1]
There's a hard rain showing me the way
Up from here to the fire escape
I was caught stuck standing in the flames again
Who the hell would you be telling?
Everybody knows my secret well
It's a long look stranded in the maze again
[Pre-Chorus]
And it's a long way back to California
And I ain't got time to cover my tracks
How the hell do I return to normal
If I'm always ending up flat on my back?
[Chorus]
Well, these are the golden years
Thought I'd never find 'em
I'd just watch 'em disappear
Into the echoes of all the older lovers
That still whisper my name around here
[Verse 2]
And it's one more town to be sure
The rain ain't coming 'round here no more
Took me eight years to figure out what to do
And it's a stoned throwback to the old
Habits stored in a well worn coat
That's the price needed to pay to face the truth
[Pre-Chorus]
And it's a long way back to California
And I ain't got time to cover my tracks
How the hell do I return to normal
If I'm always ending up flat on my back?
[Chorus]
Well, these are the golden years
I thought I'd never find 'em
I'd just watch them disappear
Into the echoes of all the older lovers
That still whisper my name around here
Yeah, yeah, yeah
[Outro]
And it's a long way back to California
And I ain't got time to cover my tracks
@nannygoatj
When you started your concert with this song, you had us all. AMAZING.
@Jimbodawg
Keep coming back for more, yes I do! You're a diamond in the rough Ruston!
@derikmackenney6562
I DIG THE VIBE OF THIS ONE!
@klienzzBerg
❤️❤️
@stevenrowell156
The moment only comes around once...and then its gone.
@BonoLightier
MY FAV OF THE RECORD
@martinbarnes5704
My brother always had good taste in music
@kevingallagher4817
It reminds me of hearing JD Souther's first album years ago. This is like a cut on Asylum Records! Maybe The Eagles will pick up on this one! Too good! Goosebumps!
@saraelizabeth4146
These are the Golden years? Crap I'm effed 🤣🤣🤣🤣
@Jimbodawg
You from the south east US?