“I Know I Make It Hard” is the emotional turning point of Pre-Owned Heart. Up to this point, the album focuses on the scars left by past relationships and how those wounds shaped the narrator. Here, the perspective shifts inward. Instead of blaming the past, he acknowledges how unresolved trauma has followed him into a healthy relationship. The song explores the guilt of knowing someone who genuinely loves you is forced to navigate fears they didn’t create. Every delayed text becomes a reason to panic, every moment of silence feels like abandonment, and every expression of love is met with skepticism, not because of anything they’ve done, but because of everything that came before. Rather than asking for sympathy, “I Know I Make It Hard” is an apology. It’s an admission that healing isn’t just about surviving what happened to you, it’s about recognizing when your pain begins affecting the people who choose to stay. At its core, the song is a thank-you to the person patient enough to love a heart still learning that not everyone leaves. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Lyrics) [Intro] You tell me you love me… And for some reason My first instinct is still to look for the exit I know that’s not fair [Verse 1] You say forever and I search for a catch Waiting for the moment all your words don’t match You take a little longer, now my mind runs wild Turn a couple minutes into miles and miles You ain’t given me a reason to doubt what we got But my heart still acts like it’s under attack You kiss my scars like they ain’t ugly to see While I’m still learning why you’d stay with me I know you get tired of fighting battles in my head Trying to convince me of things you’ve already said [Hook] I know I make it hard Harder than it needs to be You give me all your love I still wait for you to leave You’re paying for the damage Done by somebody else And I hate that you carry Wounds that ain’t yours to help I know I make it hard Yeah, I know I make it hard But thank God every morning You don’t walk away in the dark [Verse 2] I built these walls so high they block the sunlight out Then wonder why I’m standing here surrounded by doubt You keep showing up when I give you every reason not to Every closed door somehow leads you right through Some nights I push away the thing I need the most Acting like distance hurts less than getting close You deserve a man who don’t question every good thing Instead of treating love like it’s temporary And I know that ain’t easy Loving someone scared of peace When chaos feels familiar And trust don’t come naturally [Hook] I know I make it hard Harder than it needs to be You give me all your love I still wait for you to leave You’re paying for the damage Done by somebody else And I hate that you carry Wounds that ain’t yours to help I know I make it hard Yeah, I know I make it hard But thank God every morning You don’t walk away in the dark [Bridge] You inherited scars You never had a hand in making Still you bandage every wound Like they’re worth saving Some nights I swear I’m harder to love than I am to leave But somehow you’re still here Still believing in me [Final Hook / Outro] I know I make it hard And I got a lot to learn But every time you hold my hand Another bridge inside me burns To the past I keep running to The fear I can’t let go You’re teaching me that real love stays Even when I don’t know I know I make it hard But you’re the reason I believe That maybe broken hearts like mine Can finally find some peace [Outro] So if I don’t say it enough… Thank you for loving me Through things you never brokemore

A spontaneous, free-flowing jazz jam captured live in trio format—piano, bass, and drums weaving together in pure improvisation. This piece paints the gentle hues of sunrise, evoking the calm and serenity that comes with the first light of day. It’s an intimate moment where sound meets color, and rhythm mirrors the quiet promise of a new beginning.more

Lake Days Like These Is a snapshot from my own memory, this story is told through the eyes of my father — hot afternoons, sunburned shoulders, and the sound of laughter carrying across the water. It’s about slowing down, holding onto simple moments, and wishing time would stay right where it is. No plans, no rush — just days you don’t realize you’ll miss until they’re gone. Verse 1) That summer breeze was rollin’ off the shoreline, Sun hittin’ water like a silver dime. Bass boat hummin’, rooster tail flyin’, Radio low, Lord, the day felt right. Rod in my hand, hat pulled down low, Chasin’ largemouth where the lily pads grow. Every cast felt like a promise to keep— Another memory driftin’ out on that deep. (Chorus) Yeah, it’s lake days like these I hold onto tight, Wind in my face and the sun sinkin’ right. Laughin’ so hard we can’t stand straight, Lord, I didn’t know then how fast time’d race. From tangled lines to fallin’ in free, These are the moments that made a man outta me. Yeah, the fish were fine, but what mattered most to me— Was them lake days like these. (Verse 2) Pop stood up sayin’, “Boy, this one’s big,” Next thing I knew he was swimmin’ instead. Hat floatin’ off, boots full of pride, We laughed ‘til our sides hurt watchin’ him climb. Then my boy hollered, “Dad, I think I got one!” Set the hook hard—Lord, it wasn’t no fun. Barb in my arm, him lookin’ near tears, I said, “Son, don’t worry, that’s how we learn out here.” (Pre-Chorus) Spent half the day untanglin’ line, Didn’t catch much—but we caught our time. (Chorus) Yeah, it’s lake days like these I hold onto tight, Wind in my face and the sun sinkin’ right. Laughin’ so hard we can’t stand straight, Lord, I didn’t know then how fast time’d race. From tangled reels to scraped-up knees, These are the moments that set me free. Yeah, the fish were fine, but what mattered most to me— Was them lake days like these. (Bridge) Now I watch ‘em grow, see the men they’ve become, Strong and kind with their mama’s love. Chasin’ their dreams, standin’ tall on their feet, And I see them summers every time they speak. If I did one thing halfway right, It was showin’ up on them long lake nights. (Final Chorus) Yeah, it’s lake days like these I still carry ‘round, Speedin’ across water, that engine sound. Every laugh, every hook, every tangled mess, God gave me more than I ever guessed. If they remember anything of me, I hope it’s love, and time, and bein’ free. ‘Cause the best catch I ever did see— Was my kids growin’ proud… On them lake days like these. (Outro) Yeah, the bass were big, but the blessings were bigger… Lord, I’d do it all again in a heartbeat quicker. more