Lipstick
Some would call it fate. Others might chalk it up to coincidence. Either wa… Read Full Bio ↴Some would call it fate. Others might chalk it up to coincidence. Either way, the story of Texas Renegade’s genesis seems more than random—and their new album, “Bad Dreams and Other Things,” proves the union was meant to be. Consider this. Twins Tyson and Eli Carver, who were born in the Texas Hill Country town of Wimberley, moved to Durango, Colo., at age 14. That same year, Andy Bertelsen and Kasey Klepfer moved with their respective families to Wimberley. When the twins graduated high school, the lure of their hometown tugged them back—when a friend introduced them to their future bandmates, their course was set. The Carvers and Bertelsen formed Texas Renegade in 2002; Klepfer joined in 2004, and drummer Luke Ayres came on in 2007. Except for Ayres, it’s the only band any of them have been in (unless you count Bertelsen’s stint playing snare in his elementary-school band). In Texas Renegade—the moniker their first guitarist bestowed on them at a high-school party—Bertelsen handles lead vocals, songwriting and guitar. Mandolinist/guitarist/backing vocalist Tyson and bassist Eli picked up their instruments at 20 and 19, respectively, after ditching fiddle lessons at age 13. Klepfer taught himself to play harmonica seven years ago, and only Ayres (drums) has played his instrument—or any instrument—consistently since childhood. But they’re hardly a batch of late-bloomers. Bertelsen’s voice, which could earn him honorary Braun brother status in Reckless Kelly, carries the nuances of a practiced, yet intuitive singer. With mandolin and harp as frequent lead instruments and Tyson’s harmonies, Texas Renegade creates a soulful, rootsy country-rock blend that places them squarely in the Americana realm; which is only fitting for a band whose formative influences include the Wallflowers, John Hiatt, Counting Crows, Emmylou Harris, the essential Texans and the classic rock their parents played. “Bad Dreams and Other Things,” their third album, cements their status among talents like The Band of Heathens, Jack Ingram, the aforementioned Reckless Kelly and similar artists who share deep Lone Star roots and hybrid sensibilities. And like many of those artists, they honed their skills under the tutelage of Kent Finlay at Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos, where the Carvers and Bertelsen earned degrees at Texas State University. (Klepfer is a University of Texas grad; Ayres’ degree is from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene.) Recorded mainly at Top Hat Recording in South Austin and produced by Austin drummer Stephen Belans (James McMurtry, Alejandro Escovedo), who helmed their last release, “After Everything,” it features 12 Bertelsen-penned cuts and guest spots by keyboardist Michael Ramos (BoDeans, John Mellencamp) Dobro player Cindy Cashdollar (Van Morrison, Ryan Adams) and guitarists Gabe Rhodes, Brad Rice and John Sanchez. Filled with smart lyrics and sweet harmonies, “Bad Dreams” stylistically encompasses everything from the harp- and guitar-driven mid-tempo rock of the first single, “Crazy,” to the soulful country-rock of “Coming Home,” the mournful “Comanche Moon” and the heartfelt “St. Christopher,” an acoustic ballad about death that Bertelsen sings with such an ache in his voice, he leaves no doubt about its authenticity. “Every one of my songs has some sort of story behind it,” he notes. “That is to say, every single song stems from some actual event that has occurred. However, the extent can vary considerably from song to song.” Rarely, he admits, does he write a song that’s entirely based in reality. Which is not to say his lyrics aren’t personal—or meaningful. At least some of his inspiration has to come from being so involved in the lives of his bandmates. Bertelsen and the Carvers are also roommates, and all five swear they’re having the time of their lives in the band. “We like to think we have more fun than any other band on the scene right now,” says Tyson. “People always approach us and say they really enjoy the music, but they also enjoy the fact that we are having fun onstage. We are the true definition of a band. Everyone has equal say and we are a family of guys who really care about one another and love to play music together.” Adds Eli, “We have a lot of fun together on the road and have a very laid-back vibe when we’re together. Pretty much anything goes.” “Anything” includes Camp, a fluffy canine described by Tyson as “half Lhasa-apso, a quarter Chihuahua and a quarter wolf,” who has traveled everywhere with the band for two years. “Some people think he has magical powers, but we just think he is the coolest dog in the world,” says Tyson. Adds Eli, “People try to steal him everywhere we go. There is a very good chance he is more famous than we are.” Well, maybe for now. But once people get a chance to hear “Bad Dreams and Other Things,” Camp’s popularity may have to take a back seat to the band’s. He’ll still get to ride in his primo leather captain’s chair, though—unless they graduate to a bus, in which case, he’ll probably get two seats—and his own bunk. Because, like the rest of these guys, he’s a Texas Renegade!

Lipstick
Texas Renegade Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Careful where you leave your lipstick
'Cause everybody knows your shade
When you put it on my collar
It don't wash off for days

Your colors are on my pillow
Mascara memories where I lay
And curled up by the window
It's a perfume high, I just can't shake
Girl I've tried and I've tried to change my mind

But baby I was never good enough to fall in love
To feel your touch or to give you every thing you'd ever need
Cause you only call me up when you're short on love and down on your luck
You let go of some other puppets strings
But if that's how it's gotta be
I hope it makes you happy

You can take what you want
You can take what you need
You can even have my foolish pride
It's never done too much for me
I will play the fool; you know it's a role I can't deny
There ain't a thing I wouldn't do
Just to have you for one more night
Girl I've tried and I've tried to change your mind

But baby I was never good enough to fall in love
To feel your touch or to give you every thing you'd ever need
Cause you only call me up when you're short on love, you're down on your luck
You let go of some other puppets strings




But if that's how it's gotta be
I hope it makes you happy

Overall Meaning

The Texas Renegade's song Lipstick tells the story of a man who keeps getting stuck in a cycle of heartbreak with a woman who only uses him as a temporary solution when she is "short on love" and "down on [her] luck". The lyrics serve as a warning to men to be careful where they leave their lipstick because it may be a sign of a relationship that will only leave them with mascara memories and an inability to wash off the pain.


The man in the song acknowledges that he has tried multiple times to change the woman's mind and convince her to fall in love with him. However, he recognizes that he is not "good enough" to make her fall in love and give her everything she needs. Despite his efforts, he finds himself in the same cycle of being used and discarded repeatedly.


The chorus is a poignant message of sacrifice as the man is willing to "play the fool" and give up his pride just to have the woman for one more night. He is willing to do anything to feel her touch and experience true love, but knows deep down that it may never happen. The song concludes with the man hoping that the woman finds happiness, even if it means that he will continue to experience heartbreak and pain.


Overall, the lyrics of Lipstick serve as a powerful reminder of the dangers of falling for someone who only uses you as an emotional crutch. The song highlights the emotional toll this can take on a person and shows the importance of self-respect and the need to move on from toxic relationships.


Line by Line Meaning

Careful where you leave your lipstick
Be mindful of where you put your mark, as it will be recognized by many


'Cause everybody knows your shade
Your signature color is widely known and unmistakable


When you put it on my collar
You leave traces of yourself on me after we've been together


It don't wash off for days
The memory of our time together lingers with me for an extended period


Your colors are on my pillow
The remnants of you are left in the place where I rest my head


Mascara memories where I lay
Even now, there are reminders of our past together in the form of makeup stains on my bedding


And curled up by the window
I find myself in a state of introspection and reflection


It's a perfume high, I just can't shake
The scent of you lingers on my clothes and in my senses, and I can't seem to let it go


Girl I've tried and I've tried to change my mind
I've attempted to move on from us, but something keeps drawing me back


But baby I was never good enough to fall in love
I never quite measured up to your standards when it came to matters of the heart


To feel your touch or to give you every thing you'd ever need
I wasn't able to provide you with the emotional support and physical intimacy that you required


Cause you only call me up when you're short on love and down on your luck
Our relationship seems to be based on convenience, rather than a deep love and mutual respect


You let go of some other puppets strings
You've moved on from a previous relationship and are now seeking comfort from me instead


But if that's how it's gotta be
If this is the dynamic that we're going to have, then so be it


I hope it makes you happy
I want you to find contentment and fulfillment, even if it's not with me


You can take what you want
You have the ability to take whatever you desire


You can take what you need
You can have whatever is necessary for your happiness and well-being


You can even have my foolish pride
I'm willing to let go of my ego and sense of self-importance for you


It's never done too much for me
My pride hasn't brought me much happiness or success in the past


I will play the fool; you know it's a role I can't deny
I'm willing to act foolishly and sacrifice my dignity if it means I can be with you again


There ain't a thing I wouldn't do
I'm willing to go to great lengths to win you back


Just to have you for one more night
I would do anything for the chance to be with you again, even if it's just for a brief period


Girl I've tried and I've tried to change your mind
I've made numerous attempts to convince you to give me another chance




Contributed by Alexander T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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