Love Is A Funny Thing
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!

Love Is A Funny Thing
Texas Renegade Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sun coming up and I'm coming in
It's 6am, she don't give damn for me
It's all bullet wounds and bubble gum
Wasted days and oxygen the wrong words always come but they're never free
I must have smoked a whole half pack of cigarettes
I'm drunk and tired, sick of regret

Cause I got a feeling I can't let go
So appealing to my senses addicting to my soul
She's got me really now and I know it don't show
I need your healing more than I ever have before

The world is ugly, less than fair
You're more than lovely, I'm more than scared
Broken hearted but it's my scene, every time I fall in love
Aint love a funny thing.

I'm stuck here behind the wheel trying to fight these dirty things I feel
I'm talking now to the late night radio
Baby, I turn it up and I try and drown the faded love through country sounds
I love the way I hate to see you go.

This house now is empty, you know my heart is vain
If it's all for not. You're not the one to blame

Cause I got a feeling I can't let go
So appealing to my senses, addicting to my soul
She's got me really now and I know it don't show
I got a feeling I can't let go
So appealing to my senses, addicting to my soul
She's got me really now and I know it don't show
I need your healing more than I ever have before

The world is ugly, less than fair
You're more than lovely, I'm more than scared
Broken hearted it's just my scene




Every time you come around, aint love a funny thing.
Funny thing, aint love a funny thing

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Love Is A Funny Thing" by Texas Renegade paint a picture of a broken hearted man who is struggling to let go of his lover. The song begins with a description of his early morning return home where the woman he loves disregards him. He describes his life as a series of failures and mistakes, and he seeks solace in his addiction to cigarettes and alcohol. Despite his best efforts to forget his lover, he is unable to do so. The chorus suggests that the singer is addicted to his lover and is in desperate need of her healing touch.


The second verse of the song suggests that the singer is trying to cope with his feelings by listening to the late-night radio. He loves country music and tries to drown out his sorrows with it but still cannot shake off his love for his ex-girlfriend. He admits that his heart is empty, but it is not her fault; he is vain and unwilling to change. Nevertheless, he is still addicted to her and needs her healing more than ever.


"Love Is A Funny Thing" by Texas Renegade is a beautiful song that explores the bitter-sweet nature of love. It is a powerful reminder that love is not always easy, and sometimes the things we love most hurt us the most. The song is a tribute to the complexities and nuances of human relationships.


Line by Line Meaning

Sun coming up and I'm coming in
I'm arriving home at sunrise


It's 6am, she don't give damn for me
My lover doesn't care that I'm home


It's all bullet wounds and bubble gum
This relationship is a mix of pleasure and pain


Wasted days and oxygen the wrong words always come but they're never free
Our time together has been unproductive, and our arguments are never resolved


I must have smoked a whole half pack of cigarettes
I've been smoking a lot due to the stress of the relationship


I'm drunk and tired, sick of regret
I'm exhausted and done with feeling remorse


Cause I got a feeling I can't let go
I'm hopelessly attached to my lover


So appealing to my senses addicting to my soul
I'm addicted to the way my lover makes me feel


She's got me really now and I know it don't show
My lover has a strong hold on me, even if it's not obvious to others


I need your healing more than I ever have before
I need my lover to help me heal from the pain they've caused


The world is ugly, less than fair
The world is harsh and unfair


You're more than lovely, I'm more than scared
Despite the world being ugly, my lover is beautiful and I'm afraid to lose them


Broken hearted but it's my scene, every time I fall in love
Being heartbroken is a familiar feeling for me because I fall in love easily


Aint love a funny thing.
Love is unpredictable and strange


I'm stuck here behind the wheel trying to fight these dirty things I feel
I'm struggling with my emotions while driving


I'm talking now to the late night radio
I'm speaking to the radio as if it's a friend


Baby, I turn it up and I try and drown the faded love through country sounds
I'm using loud music to distract myself from our fading relationship


I love the way I hate to see you go.
I have mixed emotions about you leaving


This house now is empty, you know my heart is vain
Without you, my life is empty and my heart is useless


If it's all for not. You're not the one to blame
If our relationship fails, it won't be your fault


Every time you come around, aint love a funny thing.
Whenever you're near, I'm reminded of how strange and unpredictable love can be


Funny thing, aint love a funny thing
Love is a bizarre concept




Contributed by Kaylee M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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