Mouse and the Traps - Sometimes You Just Can't Win (1968)

Their first single, heard in a previous post, was featured under the simple band name “Mouse.” After its release, the group changed their name to the one seen above and continued to put out singles. They briefly used the name “Positively 13 O’Clock” to release a cover of the Count Five’s “Psychotic Reaction” and also once used the name Chris St. John to release a single anonymously. Today, many members of the band are still musically active in their home state of Texas, often joining one another for reunion shows at local events and concerts.

Besides their well-known “A Public Execution” (heard here), this is the only other song released by the group to become a large regional hit. It spent a week at number one-hundred twenty-five and was a success in Nashville, Tennessee, Louisville, Kentucky, and the group’s home town of Tyler, Texas. It was the A-Side of a single which featured the B-Side “Cryin’ Inside” and was released on Fraternity Records.

If you enjoy this song as well as “A Public Execution,” I highly recommend purchasing their music library. They have many more wonderful songs.



Mouse and the Traps - Sometimes You Just Can't Win (1968)

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Lyrics:

I’ve never known
Many sun-shiny days
And things seldom work out
They just don’t come my way

But I can be happy
Just to say I’ve known you
And to see you each morning
Makes my day seem less blue

For a false-hearted lover
And a fair-weather friend
Took all I owned from me
And sometimes-
Sometimes you just can’t win

If I can give my life over
If I could do it again
I’d never chase women
I’d try so hard not to sin

But one thing’s for certain
I’d stay away from her door
And you’d never find me
Begging for more

And now that it’s finished
My time is fast runnin’ out
I know I could never
Change my life about

What was started is ending
My sight is fast growing dim
But I cannot forget her
And I still think of him

And how a false-hearted lover
And a fair weather friend
Took all I owned from me
And sometimes-
Sometimes you just can’t win

I try so hard
But sometimes-
Sometimes you just can’t win