by Alex Wilson
Album
Creekbed Confessions
Year
2025
Genre
Americana/Country/Folk
Duration
3:42
Description
"Muddy Water Optimist" is a heartfelt Americana ballad that explores the stubborn persistence of hope in the face of repeated disappointment. Alex Wilson's poignant lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man clinging to optimism, symbolized by a perpetually muddy creek and an unreturned phone call. The song's beauty lies in its ability to blend personal struggle with universal themes of faith, resilience, and the inherited nature of hope. Rooted in the imagery of Appalachian life, it resonates with anyone who has dared to believe against the odds.
Lyrics
Verse 1: I keep coming back to this old creek bend Where the water runs brown after every rain Telling myself this time it'll run clear But I'm staring at mud once again That afternoon sun makes it look like gold But I know better, still I can't let go Chorus: I'm a muddy water optimist Keeping faith in what don't exist Every storm just stirs up the dirt But I keep believing it won't always hurt Maybe I'm a fool, maybe I'm blessed I'm a muddy water optimist Verse 2: She said she'd call me when she got to town That was three weeks and a bottle ago But I still check my phone every hour Like a man who just can't let hope go My buddies say I'm wasting my time But what if this time she don't change her mind Chorus: I'm a muddy water optimist Keeping faith in what don't exist Every storm just stirs up the dirt But I keep believing it won't always hurt Maybe I'm a fool, maybe I'm blessed I'm a muddy water optimist Bridge: Daddy used to fish this same old spot Said the water's been muddy since he was small But he kept casting that old cane pole Guess I got his stubborn after all And momma always said I was too kind Blind to the world and the cruel things it hides Chorus: I'm a muddy water optimist Keeping faith in what don't exist Every storm just stirs up the dirt But I keep believing it won't always hurt Maybe I'm a fool, maybe I'm blessed I'm a muddy water optimist Outro: Yeah, I'm a muddy water optimist Still believing in what don't exist Muddy water optimist, yeah Still holding on, still holding on...
Notes
"Muddy Water Optimist" should be performed with a sense of weary hope. The tempo is moderate, allowing the lyrics to take center stage. Instrumentation should include acoustic guitar (fingerpicked or strummed), upright bass, subtle drums (brushes are preferable), and possibly a pedal steel guitar or fiddle for added texture. Alex's vocal delivery should be raw and honest, conveying both the disappointment and the unwavering belief. The bridge provides an opportunity for a slight dynamic shift, perhaps with a touch more intensity in the vocals and instrumentation, before returning to the quieter, more reflective mood of the chorus. Pay attention to the spaces between phrases; let the music breathe. The outro should gradually fade, leaving the listener with a lingering sense of hopeful resignation. Consider a harmonica solo during the instrumental break between the second verse and second chorus, emphasizing the bluesy undertones.