Under the Belly of the Night

from Pickup Takeout by Jonathan Byrd

supported by
J.Pfeil
J.Pfeil thumbnail
/

lyrics

Under the Belly of the Night Jonathan Byrd, Corin Raymond

They didn't want to roll the dice on icy roads that night
or sleep in dirty clothes through a frozen Minnesota night.
They spent a month of rent to get on that B35,
went off the air, and not a soul survived.
Singing, "That'll be the day I die," the night before,
how could he know those words of love would only hurt us more?
The man on the radio predicted snow and said,
"The only stars to fall over Clear Lake, Iowa, they fell
under the belly of the night."

Under the belly of the night,
they're still on the air. You can find them there.

How many folks tonight are keeping trouble on the run,
laying the needle down on that Chicago preacher's son,
having that party while the singer's singing from the grave?
He's out there now, twistin' the night away.
Down the courtyard, you could hear him on the radio,
behind the walls of number seven, singing soft and low,
a couple moaning when the gun popped in the night above.
They heard the shot and kept making love
under the belly of the night.

Under the belly of the night,
the famous singer fell at the Evening Star Motel.

Jackie Wilson's heart is crying on Commercial Drive.
As long as there's an FM dial, I know he's still alive.
If I should die, I pray the radio my soul to keep,
if I don't wake from nine years of sleep
under the belly of the night.

Under the belly of the night,
I'll be on the air. You can find me there.

Under the belly of the night,
a love that's love, a-not fade away.

credits

from Pickup Takeout, released July 3, 2020

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Jonathan Byrd image

Jonathan Byrd Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Preacher's kid, Gulf War veteran, award-winning songwriter, Youtuber, teacher, and creativity coach from North Carolina.

“One of the top 50 songwriters of the last 50 years. ” — Chicago Tribune

“...a folk singer with the heart of a rock 'n' roll band.” — K. Oliver, Free Times. ... more

contact / help

Contact Jonathan Byrd

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

Jonathan Byrd recommends:

If you like Jonathan Byrd, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Seafood Sam joins the show to discuss his newest album, " Standing On Giant Shoulders".
listen now