Track four on Lucinda Williams’ The Ghosts of Highway 20 is more upbeat, lyrically, than the first three. I’ll find out soon whether the music follows suit.
This song was written for Williams’ brother, who has shown up in other songs of hers. He suffers from mental illness, as do Williams’ mother and sister. In a recent interview she describes herself as having survivors guilt for being the one unaffected sibling.
Well, that was lovely. Williams doesn’t do pretty very often, but here she proves she can do it well. Once again, the guitar work by Bill Frisell and Greg Leisz fills the space beautifully. If the Grammys gave out Best Supporting Actor trophies, they’d be shoo-ins.
I got room to spare
There’s a place in my heart
I made room for you there
Even though you make me blue
I’ve got room enough for you
No matter what you do
I want you to know that
You have a place in my heart
You’ll always have somewhere to call home
No matter the circumstances
Wherever you are you’re never alone
So don’t laugh and say, “what are the chances”
Will you be welcome and will I let you in
When the sky is raining and thundering
As sure as winter turns to spring
You’re asking yourself and wondering
Is there a place in my heart?
Do I have room to spare?
Yeah, there’s a place in my heart
I made you room for you there
Even though you make me blue
I’ve got room enough for you
No matter what you do
I, I want you to know that
You have a place in my heart
Even though you take my love for granted
I’m pretty strong when I admit it
You might be surprised at what I can manage
But don’t you ever forget
That there’s a place in my heart
I got room to spare
There’s a place in my heart
I made room for you there
Even though you make me blue
I’ve got room enough for you
No matter what you do
I, I want you to know that
You have a place in my heart
Meet Me In Montauk 
Pretty, pretty…slurry.