what to leave – A song about growing up and forgiveness 

For release Spetember 19th, 2025 

Denver Colorado – How did you know you were grown up? Do we ever know? For me growing up has meant looking at how and where I was raised, what was good about it, and what wasn’t and then choosing what to take with me and what to leave behind. That’s what this song is about. If that process is hard, then two people coming together as a couple and reconciling all of it is kind of a miracle. This song is about that too. I hope you enjoy it. This song is definitely a little different and is the most alt Americana tune on this project. 

Making “What To Leave”

I love how a baritone guitar can crank up the alt country Americana feel of any song and that main riff is the backbone of this tune. It doesn’t sound like it but I am playing 3 different guitars at the same time for most of this song.  Katie Wise joins me again on vocals and while we rehearsed them in her basement, her cat kept climbing into my guitar case.  To this day my acoustic is still furry. Shane Zweygardt on the drums and John Paul Grigsby on bass hold down the groove. Produced and Engineered by Grammy Nominee Andrew Berlin and Mastered by Grammy Winner Jason Livermore. 

The video for What To Leave sets out on a simple journey overlaid with lyrics.

What To Leave is a great song for anyone making their own path.

“What To Leave” Lyrics

Him:

I don’t know if I meant it when I said it or like a tear I shed it to be free.

We grew up in the Cloud not thinking about mistakes our parents made and how we’ve paid

Both:

and I thought back when I left home that’s when I was grown.

But I now I see that it’s on me to choose what to take and what to leave behind.

Her:

I was taught to put others’ needs above my own, find out what I did wrong and make good.

But when do I get to be good and what do you stand for if you don’t stand up for yourself

Both:

and I thought back when I left home that’s when I was grown.

But I now I see that it’s on me to choose what to take and what to leave behind.

Her:

I wasn’t shown how to live

Him:

and I don’t know how to forgive

‘cause all I’ve seen is shame and blame

Both:

I still love you but I gotta love me

Forgiveness

it’s the only thing we need right now

Her:

thinking about mistakes our parents made

Him:

we’ve  gotta choose what to take and what to leave

Her:

what to leave

Both:

we’ve gotta choose what to take and what to leave behind.

Written and performed by Chris Rusin copyright 2025.