What We Need Up Here in North Texas

Performed by Bale Harrison and the Texas Field Hands

What We Need Up Here in North Texas – DOWNLOAD

Verse 1:
The coyotes are howlin’ and the tumbleweeds roll,
But the sound of a guitar’s like a distant echo,
Every open mic is a ghost town dream,
We can’t even find a bird to carry a tune, it seems.

Verse 2:
Used to have a talent show right here in town,
Now the headliner’s just the wind blowin’ ‘round,
They booked karaoke, and the crowd still thinned,
We’re starvin’ for talent, but Austin’s where they went.
(pause)
Chorus:
North Texas, we got cotton, oil, and cattle,
We even got tech, but what we’re missin’ is somethin’ that matters,
What we need up here in Texas, oh what we need,
Is someone up here that can sing.
Why has everyone gone to Austin?
(pause)
Verse 3:
Austin’s got singers on every corner,
But up here in North Texas, we’re goners,
The church choir’s gone, they’re headin’ south,
Even the preacher’s singin’ with a dry mouth.

Verse 4:
The BBQ man strums ‘Free Bird’ every night,
It’s the same ol’ tune, ain’t changin’ his life,
He’s the last encore in this part of the land,
But even he’s thinkin’ ‘bout an Austin band.

Chorus:
North Texas, we got cotton, oil, and cattle,
We even got tech, but what we’re missin’ is somethin’ that matters,
What we need up here in Texas, oh what we need,
Is someone up here that can sing.
Why has everyone gone to Sixth Street?

Verse 5:
Marching bands are our new headliners,
They playin’ for cows, and maybe some minors,
We used to have talent all over the place,
Now it’s just brass and snare, fillin’ the space.

Verse 6:
The barn painter packed his brushes too,
Said, “I’m headin’ to Austin, that’s what I’ll do,”
Even the rust on the barn feels a bit forlorn,
Can’t paint over the fact we’re musically torn.

Chorus:
North Texas, we got cotton, oil, and cattle,
We even got tech, but what we’re missin’ is somethin’ that matters,
What we need up here in Texas, oh what we need,
Is someone up here that can sing.
This town’s got a Broken Spoke?
…
Verse 7:
Open mic night is now just a joke,
No one here left to sing, just frogs who croak,
We miss the melodies, the rhythm and rhyme,
Austin, why’d you take them every time?

Chorus:
North Texas, we got cotton, oil, and cattle,
We even got tech, but what we’re missin’ is somethin’ that matters,
What we need up here in Texas, oh what we need,
Is someone up here that can sing.
Why? What the Elephant Room?

Outro:
So if you’re listenin’ down there in Austin town,
Come back to North Texas and turn it around,
Bring us some music, bring back the swing,
‘Cause what we need up here is someone that can sing…
Oh, what we need is someone that can sing.

————–
(end)
Spoken: Well, that did it. I can’t sing.

I’m going to Austin.

What We Need Up Here in North Texas – Music and Lyrics by Alan Nafzger

Last Updated on June 20, 2026 by Alan Nafzger