Trying To Catch A Balloon With A Fist Full Of Nails

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Click on the ‘Play’ button above to hear the song and read the lyrics below. If the player doesn’t start straight away, wait and then press the ‘Play’ button again.
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This high-octane Rockabilly track is a frantic metaphor for the loss of control and the futility of fighting against an inevitable disaster.
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Trying To Catch A Balloon With A Fist Full Of Nails is an original Rockabilly song written, produced and with lyrics by Paul Robert Thomas with music exclusively commercially licensed to Paul.
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Available to download on Bandcamp HERE
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You can watch the video promo on YouTube HERE
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Trying To Catch A Balloon With A Fist Full Of Nails lyrics
Been on this journey far too long
My eyes like lead, I can’t think straight
If I have to say it again
Then it’s gonna be far too late

Looking outta my window
Watching the world pass by
Scenes rolling by too fast
They’re gone as soon as you sigh

The tracks are mis-shaped and covered in rain
Ticket-Masters coat is covered in stains
But I’m riding this train like it’s my fate
I’m just hoping that this old train goes straight

Tryna keep it coming off the rails
Is like tryna catch a balloon with a fistful of nails
No matter how hard we try it’s doomed to fail
Like tryna catch a balloon with a fistful of nails

The train driver’s drunk
Train’s outta control
It’s starting to shake
Beginning to roll

The crew is asleep
And just he’s up front
Wanna break down the door
But my axe is blunt

They tell me ‘sit down and brace for the crash
Compensation will block the pain with cash’
But no money can take the place of light
It’s why I ride this train all through the day and night

I ask a traveler how far you going
He says all the way till the end
It’s getting faster and isn’t slowing
The end of the line’s just around the bend

But tryna keep it coming off the rails
Is like tryna catch a balloon with a fistful of nails
No matter how hard we try it’s doomed to fail
Tryna catch a balloon with a fistful of nails
Tryna catch a balloon with a fistful of nails
Tryna catch a balloon with a fistful of nails

Paul Robert Thomas PRS No. 497904008 (London)
PRS Tunecode: 994117DQ ISWC: T-339.921.886-7
Audiosparx Catalog ID 1405766 ISRC: US5UL2633198

released April 16, 2026
Written, produced and with lyrics by Paul Robert Thomas with music exclusively commercially licensed to Paul.

all rights reserved