How to Be Alone

 There’s a stranger stalkin’ my room
Peerin’ in through the mirror
I caught him doin’ the same in my window pane and my cereal spoon
Like her, I wish he'd disappear

Always cursing and bickering, she and I just couldn't be helped
What an odd way to coexist
Finally I’m blessed with time all to myself
I’m just not sure who that is

I forget how to be alone
I forget how to be alone
And it hurts like hell to change
Yeah

I begged her to come back to me when I came to see her
Was never good at playing nonchalant 
She said, “Honestly, is it really me
or just the idea that you truly want?”

I stabbed my wrist with a pen, trying to re-write my regret
Now there’s ink trapped beneath my skin
Could’ve used somethin’ sharp if I were smart
Or better yet, nothin’

I forget how to be alone
I forget how to be alone
And it hurts like hell to change
But it’s killin’ me tryin’ to stay the same
I gotta change
Man, I gotta change
Woo

I forget how to be alone

Musicians
Jesse Strickman - vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica and banjo
McKay Garner - drums, percussion and keyboard/sound design
Lewis Patzner - cello
Michael “MG” Grate - acoustic upright bass
Sam Zaldana - harmony vocals
Van Jackson-Weaver - nylon-string guitar

Recorded by
McKay Garner at McKay Mix (Oakland, CA), Maryam Qudus at Tiny Telephone Recording (San Francisco, CA), Nathan Benedict at Atelier Studios (Pasadena, CA), Nixie Davidsohn at Music Barn (Nipomo, CA), and Jesse Strickman in his parents’ attic (Oakland, CA)

Mixed & Mastered by
McKay Garner

Produced & Arranged by
Jesse Strickman
McKay Garner

Written by
Jesse Strickman

Capo 4th fret

Verse:
C | Am | F/C | Fmaj7/C

Fmaj7/C: x 3 3 2 1 0

Chorus:
G | G | G | G (bar chord)
C | F | Am | G
G | G | G | G (bar chord)
C | F | Am | G (repeats)

Bridge:
C | C | Am | Am
F | F | G | G