Garth Brooks: "Standing Outside The Fire" (1993)

"Standing Outside The Fire" is a 1993 song released by American Country Music artist Garth Brooks.

It debuted on his In Pieces album and also appears on The Hits, The Limited Series, Double Live, and The Ultimate Hits.

It reached #3 on the Billboard Country Charts in 1994. The song was written by Brooks and Jenny Yates.


- Lyrics:

We call them cool
Those hearts that have no scars to show
The ones that never do let go
And risk it the tables being turned

We call them fools
Who have to dance within the flame
Who chance the sorrow and the shame
That always come with getting burned

But you got to be tough when consumed by desire
'Cause it's not enough just to stand outside the fire
We call them strong
Those who can face this world alone
Who seem to get by on their own
Those who will never take the fall

We call them weak
Who are unable to resist
The slightest chance love might exist
And for that forsake it all

They're so hell bent on giving, walking a wire
Convinced it's not living if you stand outside the fire

Chorus:
Standing outside the fire
Standing outside the fire
Life is not tried it is merely survived
If you're standing outside the fire

There's this love that is burning
Deep in my soul
Constantly yearning to get out of control
Wanting to fly hiher and higher
I can't abide standing outside the fire

Repeat Chorus(twice)

Kenny Rogers & The First Edition: "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town" (Live - 1972)

"Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town" is a song written by Mel Tillis which was made famous by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition in 1969. "Ruby" was originally recorded in 1967 by Johnny Darrell, who scored a number nine country hit with it that year.

According to wikipedia, the song has been recorded many times by various artists. The The Statler Brothers had perhaps the first cover in 1967 on their album, Big Country Hits. Other artists who have recorded versions cover the modern pop-music gamut, including Bobby Bare, Dale Hawkins, Carl Perkins, Cake, Leonard Nimoy, and The Killers.

Several foreign-language versions have been recorded: Greek singer Nana Mouskouri recorded a French version entitled "Ruby, garde ton cœur ici" for her 1970 album Dans le soleil et dans le vent; Pavel Bobek, Czech country singer, recorded "Oh Ruby, nechtěj mi lásku brát" in 1981; Gary Holton and Casino Steel's version was a number one hit in Norway at the beginning of 1982.

An answer song, "Billy, I've Got To Go To Town," was released in 1969 by Geraldine Stevens who had previously recorded successfully under the name Dodie Stevens. Sung to the same melody with an arrangement quite similar to the First Edition version, "Billy" peaked at #117 pop, #57 country.


- Lyrics:

You've painted up your lips and rolled and curled your tinted hair
Ruby are you contemplating going out somewhere
The shadow on the wall tells me the sun is going down
Oh Ruby,
Don't take your love to town

It wasn't me that started this whole crazy Asian war
But I was proud to go and do my patriotic chore
Yes it's true that I'm not the man I used to be
Oh Ruby,
I still need some company

It's hard to love a man whose legs are bent and paralysed
And the wants and the needs of a woman your age, Ruby I realize
But it won't be long I've heard them say until I'm not around
Oh Ruby,
Don't take your love to town

She's leaving now cause I just heard the slamming of the door
The way I know I've heard it slam 100 times before
And if I could move I'd get my gun and put her in the ground
Oh Ruby,
Don't take your love to town

Oh Ruby,
For God sakes turn around