You roll the dice just one too many times
You pour a drink that turns into your night
You’re always down to take the extra jump
That thin white line you cross is just a bump

And you say it doesn’t change who you are
And you say you’d never take it too far

But it’s that good kinda hurt
The whiskey when it burns
The cigarette smoke when it’s tickling your nose
That good kinda hurt
Won’t make you realize
That you’ve only got one life to live
And I can’t watch you give it up
For that good kind of hurt
That good kind of hurt

You push the limits, watch if you will fall
You say you’re in control of it all
You claim that you can stop at any time
It’s just the way you blow off steam, unwind

But I know it’s bound to change who you are
And I know it’s already gone too far

Cause it’s that good kinda hurt
The whiskey when it burns
The cigarette smoke when it’s tickling your nose
That good kinda hurt
Won’t make you realize
That you’ve only got one life to live
And I can’t watch you give it up
For…

They say that pain can make you stronger
A little hurt can help you grow
But all these cuts are only draining the man that I know

Cause it’s that good kinda hurt
That makes you feel alive
when it’s all that you can do to stand
but still you only give a damn

‘bout that good kinda hurt
The whiskey when it burns
The cigarette smoke when it’s tickling your nose
That good kinda hurt
Won’t make you realize
That you’ve only got one life to live
And I can’t watch you give it up
For that good kind of hurt
That good kind of hurt
Oh, that good kind of hurt
That good kind of hurt

This song means perhaps the most to me out of any song on the album. Almost every song I write is autobiographical, but this one is particularly personal. I wrote Good Kind of Hurt after watching my veteran stepdad struggle with alcoholism (going on 9 years sober now!). Addiction is a mental illness that is so misunderstood, and yet it afflicts so many people and their closest loved ones. Watching my stepdad go through what he did, and knowing his history with PTSD, I can’t even explain how proud I am of the life that he has created with my mom since getting sober. It takes a special kind of strength to overcome an addiction, and fight day in and day out to maintain your health not only for yourself, but those that you love. Addiction can be almost as painful for the loved ones, and my mom’s resilience and loyalty through the experience is something that can never be overlooked. Unfortunately, I think that Good Kind of Hurt is a song that a lot of people can relate to, but I hope that it can help at least one person recognize their addiction, or the addiction of a loved one, and get the help that’s needed.