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Josh Ritter — You Don't Make It Easy Babe
Album: Hello Starling
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 743









Released: 2003
Length: 2:28
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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Here I am standing at your window again
Waiting for you to say, "Go away or come in"
I'm your locked door's worst knocker
I'm your curtain's best friend
I'm trying hard to love you — you don't make it easy, babe
I'm trying hard to love you — I'm looking for an easy way

Your friends ask about me you say I can be found
With cheap romance novels with their spines battered down
"Oh the heart has no bones," you say, "so it won't break"
But the purpose of loving is the pounding it takes
I'm trying hard to love you — you don't make it easy, babe
I'm trying hard to love you — I'm looking for an easy way

The ropes that have bound me leave no marks by their knots
And though they're your hair that don't mean I'm not caught
I know the song of the handcuffs as they scrape across the floor
But that new thing you've got, I've got no clue what it's for
I'm trying hard to love you — you don't make it easy, babe
I'm trying hard to love you — I'm looking for an easy way

With fortune's rocks millstones you hang round my throat
And a brick for my window weighted down with a note
I hope you find someone just as hard as you come
In this hard world sadly that's so easily done
I'm trying hard to love you — you don't make it easy, babe
I'm trying hard to love you — I'm looking for an easy way

I'm trying hard to love you — you don't make it easy, babe
I'm trying hard to love you — there's gotta be an easy way
Comments (51)add comment
We should get Ritter's To the Dogs or Whoever or The Right Moves in these here parts.  Two of the funnest, wittiest, wryest story-telling positive and upbeat songs I've heard in these recent decades. 
Posted 2 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Too clumsy in dialogue, rifts, and devoid of depth. Sure man, you got talent, but life experience will bring in your depth ... there ain’t no easy way mate
Posted 4 years ago by Matt_Maurer    [ Reply ]
My troublesome cat pooped on the rug this morning when I didn't feed him early enough. I'm trying hard to love ya but you don't make it easy, babe
Posted 5 years ago by AmandaMaria    [ Reply ]
Wow.  Powerful lyrics.  Powerful.
Posted 5 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Minor correction, to my ear

I know the song of the handcuffs as they scrape across the floor

Should be

I know the sound of the handcuffs as they scrape across the floor
Posted 5 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Rather Gordon Lightfoot-ish.
Posted 6 years ago by linden    [ Reply ]
What was he trying to do again?
Posted 7 years ago by Hoosfoos    [ Reply ]
More Josh Ritter, please!
Posted 8 years ago by plaid    [ Reply ]
quite nice, neat voice!  : )
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Such a GREAT song, but I really don't need to hear this right now.
Posted 8 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 Larry_Rosenow wrote:
Late in the evening drinking a cold IPA from California in front of the crackling fireplace while sitting on a couch next to my cat remembering it is Valentine's day and that my wife is across the country visiting the grandchildren.   This was a good song for this kind of moment.

 
Next time, send the cat, keep the wife.
Posted 9 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Late in the evening drinking a cold IPA from California in front of the crackling fireplace while sitting on a couch next to my cat remembering it is Valentine's day and that my wife is across the country visiting the grandchildren.   This was a good song for this kind of moment.
Posted 10 years ago by Larry_Rosenow    [ Reply ]
Cynaera - My thoughts exactly. As it happens, I'm snowed under right now, so I am not in the mood for the song. In another mood, I might very well be.
Posted 12 years ago by chebucto    [ Reply ]
C'est joli ca !
Posted 12 years ago by eauliv    [ Reply ]
I love Josh Ritter's music, but sometimes I have to be in the mood for it. Tonight, I'm in the mood for it because I accomplished a lot, I'm tired, and the bills are paid. Mellow is fine now.  But - were I to hear this song on a day when I was shattered (buh-doo-be-doo) or scrambling to get a truckload of things done within a very narrow time-frame, I'd probably rate it lower, if I rated it at all. Still, he's a really nice man, and he answers his e-mail. I'm not going to complain. {#Roflol}
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
 romeotuma wrote:
This song is good for the ears...
 
It's good for insomnia {#Sleep}. The epitome of Ho-Hum.

"Here I am standing at your window again, waiting for you to say 'go away' or 'come in'" - ok, "go away" then.


Posted 15 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of all the classic songwriters of the 70s (in a good way). Cat Stevens, James Taylor, etc.
Posted 15 years ago by derekd    [ Reply ]
He's good.  He listens to Woodie Guthrie a lot, I think.
Posted 15 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
The sentiment he expersses in this song is exactly what I'm going through right now...how succinct!

Posted 15 years ago by coolpeople_rule    [ Reply ]
I thought this was early James Taylor. Came to this page and what a surprise. Me likey.


Posted 16 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by Manbird    [ Reply ]
Josh Ritter so rocks my world.
Posted 16 years ago by plaid    [ Reply ]
I agree with earlier comments: he's really great live. See him in small venues now while you still can.
Posted 16 years ago by mwstennis    [ Reply ]
MojoJojo wrote:
I listen to him for his hair.
yes, he has nice hair. i like his song too.
Posted 17 years ago by Drunkenlilacwine    [ Reply ]
I listen to him for his hair.
Posted 17 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
Someone needs to upload Mind's Eye from his new cd. That song is mind-blowing.
Posted 17 years ago by mikedill    [ Reply ]
Jacksonstat wrote:
I picked up all his CDs after seeing him recently in a small venue, he's great :)
I agree! Seeing him live sold me. I have never seen an artist smile thru an entire show. He has a great presence on stage.
Posted 17 years ago by EncinitasMapGirl    [ Reply ]
Lazy8 wrote:
I can see the Dylan resemblance, but he reminds me more of Peter Case, both in his songwriting and delivery. I'm beginning to get really fond of this guy.
I picked up all his CDs after seeing him recently in a small venue, he's great :)
Posted 17 years ago by Jacksonstat    [ Reply ]
I can see the Dylan resemblance, but he reminds me more of Peter Case, both in his songwriting and delivery. I'm beginning to get really fond of this guy.
Posted 17 years ago by Lazy8    [ Reply ]
kazuma wrote:
Just doing my part to help move that super long comment off the dang page.
this help?
Posted 17 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
Just doing my part to help move that super long comment off the dang page.
Posted 18 years ago by kazuma    [ Reply ]
jagdriver wrote:
Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z Don't do that again dude... you messed the page up
Posted 19 years ago by stubbsz    [ Reply ]
I just really like his song. I just love the simplicity of the guitar and the catchy tune.
Posted 19 years ago by Logical    [ Reply ]
kmh wrote:
IS THIS JOHN RITTER'S SON?
Nope!! https://www.joshritter.com/v2/history.html
Posted 19 years ago by solman    [ Reply ]
-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z.....
Posted 19 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
this guy is acceptable, can you replace bright eyes with him please? i'd much rather hear him then that miserable hack!
Posted 19 years ago by fortyonejb    [ Reply ]
Excellent Woody Guthrie/Bob Dylan vocal clone but with a little tiny tiny bit of tune here and there. The song could have more tune in it, but it is better than the last 10 or so in that regard. Now if you would just give us, please, some tuneful singing and instrumentation and clever lyrics, all at the same time!!?!!!?!!!!!
Posted 19 years ago by rKokon    [ Reply ]
IS THIS JOHN RITTER'S SON?
Posted 19 years ago by KMH    [ Reply ]
Mugro wrote:
Is he related to Jack Ritter? Jack Tripper?
You really oughtta catch him live. Great singer/songwriter/performer! And very personable guy after the show. Wise beyond his years.
Posted 19 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]
Is he related to Jack Ritter? Jack Tripper?
Posted 19 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
I saw Josh open for Sarah Harmer about a month ago and I was very impressed. I love his voice and he's a great song writer. Great song.
Posted 19 years ago by sherp    [ Reply ]
About the third generation of singer-songwriters who gets compared to Bob Dylan. Maybe a bit too easy. Just like Dylan himself, Josh Ritter stands in a long tradition of, say, troubadours. Convincing enough to stand on his own.
Posted 20 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
red5_bc wrote:
"I'm trying to sound like Bob Dylan, but my voice don't make it easy, Babe"
...which is why I sound like Donovan instead.
Posted 20 years ago by rexi    [ Reply ]
Whit wrote:
I love the simplicity of his voice. Just cuts through the bs and lets the words ring out.
I agree.
Posted 20 years ago by artmarcia    [ Reply ]
... which is not necessarily a bad thing.
Posted 20 years ago by etileadnap    [ Reply ]
"I'm trying to sound like Bob Dylan, but my voice don't make it easy, Babe"
Posted 20 years ago by red5_bc    [ Reply ]
I love the simplicity of his voice. Just cuts through the bs and lets the words ring out.
Posted 20 years ago by Whit    [ Reply ]
I say add this guy's entire catalog to the RP library. I have loved everything that I've heard from him so far. my favorite by far though is "Harrisbug" thanks for introducing me to yet another great artist RP.
Posted 20 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
Agree. I really like the lyrics. The voice is just ok.
Posted 21 years ago by cupajoe    [ Reply ]
its the lyrics, though the voice is not bad.
Posted 21 years ago by gilmorecairns    [ Reply ]