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

Mouse - A Public Execution (1966)

Formed in Tyler, Texas in 1965 by Ronnie “Mouse” Weiss, the group altered their name after the release of their first single, heard below, to their more widely-remembered name, Mouse & The Traps. Although they never released a full-length album, they had moderate success in the southern US with a handful of singles.

Having enormous respect for Bob Dylan, the group’s first released single was molded after Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone”. The melody and singing style was so close to Dylan’s hit, listeners couldn’t figure out if it was a parody of or homage to him. What is sure is that the song was their largest hit, reaching #121 on the Billboard charts.



Mouse - A Public Execution (1966)

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Lyrics:

Some words are best not spoken
Some things are best not said
But since this is your public execution
I think I'm gonna go right on ahead

The mailman brought your letter, babe
Where you told me how you feel
And about the things he said and told you
That is, I'm such a heel
But I could never be honest; that to you I'd always lied
When he saw me take some other hide for a two-wheel pony ride

You at least might have asked me
If the scene was really what it seemed
But like a queen ruled by her jester
Your conclusions was “a scheme”

You said I disappointed you wherever all the things I've done
And that you had convinced yourself I was the only one
To really make you happy- satisfy your soul
Now you say I've failed you since we've spent up all my gold

Have you ever seen the truth, therefore
Have you ever made a try
Such a thing for you, so impossible
With them beams all in your eyes

Whoa, I read where you said you want one good chance to really put me down
And how you'd love to smear my name all over my home town
Said some Mouse made a fool of you and said, “Don't waste a dime”
Your phone is out of order now, babe, for me you've got no time

If this is really what you're thinkin'
That it's really, really all my fault
You’d better find yourself a welder, baby
'Cause you got locked up in your vault

Yeah, you got your point put over now
It seems you’ve found a match
Burn the bridge behind you, babe
Slam your door; throw the latch
I know just how you're hurtin'
From your feelings as they burn
I'd like to say I'm sorry
But it's no longer my concern

So goodbye
Go on and have a real good cry
I've found me a brand-new high
She just loves a two-wheel pony ride
You better get yourself a welder, babe
Go on, get on out of here