the Hill Country Devil, “Rats Get Fat” // GemsOnVHS™
I introduced Ben and Hayden some time ago, and they’ve been fast friends ever since. Kindred spirits even, both prone to trouble and writing great songs about it. Both were in town for the recording of Hayden’s album we put together, and we decided to sit down and talk shop. Ben actually helped Hayden with getting physicals to be made. Part two will be one of Ben’s songs.
That’s what I love about our project here; we’re bringing great people together, fostering community, including y’all! All of our favorite musicians came from a scene. Dylan in Greenwich village, Townes hanging with Guy and Steve Earle and Blaze Foley. When you’re around other talented, like minded folks it raises your ability and makes you stronger.
This is actually a song off of that new record, which you can find on our website here, www.gemsonvhs.com/store
or here for a physical copy, https://thehillcountrydevil.com/shop
Want to learn how to play this song? Check out these tabs: https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/the_hill_country_devil/rats_get_fat_chords_2666337
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GemsOnVHS is a long running series of intimate, off-stage performances by songwriters we love.
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@PostDimIV
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
Even if it's your table, your gonna want PRID salve for that corner ⚕️👌
@Rob_Griego
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
My 2 favorite musicians right now
@MichaelCyrus88
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
This song deserves all the views, likes, and what not. This is criminally under rated.😢
@trieditdied8681
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
Hearing another grown man question people's "authenticity" brings me to laughter. Like he's something REALLY special. Get over yourself, dude. We're all authentically US. Just because you're stuck in high school thought processes doesn't make you more real than anyone else.
@giantlobsterboy644
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
This is so embarrassing. Grandpas guitars…
Who is the weird guy staring at the guy playing grandpas guitars?
@theprovoked321
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
Damn can he play smooth or what!? Like its hard to explain, looks weird but he hits every note. Like i hear notes when his hand is nowhere near the frets….
@missourifats
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
I don't know that I've ever heard a song convey the feeling of true perceived hopelessness as well as this one.
6.5 years since my last drink, and this song makes me tense. A beautiful and moving reminder of darker days past.
@psykovillainstyle
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
Shite country sound! 😂
@cdawg_692
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
I don't care how many times I listen to his music, I get chills everytime. He's one of a kind for sure.
@darrenburchfield7936
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
I been watching this four about 3 yrs now I love Ben but this was more of a show case of a new song to another songwriter but any fucking way Why is no body not one person said anything about how he is playing that fucking guitar are there any musicians in these comments one guy said he was gonna learn this ..lol Good luck I bet you do a Ben Todd version with three picked or plucked chords..So I have never seen someone play those chords while doing the 1 3 2 string picking pattern kinda like in september doves that old school pick pattern but sped way up ok he plucks whith his thumb on one hit then first finger and so on each hit while keeping a steady
beat and I think he is playing in 4 4 time or a bit faster I dont no shit about chords scales or theory but I almost fucked around and done a version of this hammer on picking he is doing and u got to just feel it when it happens to no what I mean….Please does any one else see and hear how fucking wild this is I have just never seen anyone but him do this can anyone tell me something or just say I fucking no bro right….Not to mention all the metaphors in the song only a true addict will even pick up on the verse Id heard a million times then just got it one day,,,The part where he says If they hand u tainted points… "A Dirty Rig'' bleach the ends and add a crack onto your belt …WTF???
@2hacksbuilding82
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
What a fucking relatable song. Reminds me of the desperation of the gutter. Jesus Christ, I'm lucky to be alive
@TYPHON1327
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
This kinda music made me think. 8 years clean now.
What a song..
@Nykstudio
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
I really like buddy's song "glory"
@erniegutierrez1942
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
Love this music…unlike mainstream bullshit.
At least this tells a story of addiction and freedom…
@GrasslandsG81
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
Is anyone gonna comment on the similarities between Hayden and Nicholas Ridout? The music may sound different, but damn… everything else is so similar…
And I see that same acknowledgement in Ben's eyes back there…
@jaimebethriley
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
This is such an incredible take of this song. I have it on the same playlist like 7 times.
@theoctagonjones
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
I’m sorry what was that line about San Antone WOW
@chrismiller643
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
Personally, I think this is one of the best songs ever written, lyrically. Every single line in this song is GOLD! Freaking GOLD! And the emotion in his voice is raw and honest and vulnerable. I've watched this video so many times and get chills every time. As a songwriter he's in the 1%…….when he wants to be. I'd put his best songs up there with Townes Van Zandt, Hank Williams, Bob Dylan. He's really freaking talented!!!!! I beat heroin 7 years ago. I hope he stays sober this time. Sure he has something to offer the world but its selfish to say "get sober so WE can hear great music" I hope he chooses his art because it is a way to heal. And its a way to learn even more about yourself. You can grow! That other shit offers none of those things. Useing is like that stupid Adam Sandler movie…..Click…..is that it? The one with the remote control? Everytime you use its like hitting pause on your life and if you do it enough you eventually realize that a large, very large, portion of your life was wasted. Those moments resulted in no kind of growth. Im gonna stop. Theres only one person in this world we really owe anything to and thats YOURSELF. So be kind to yourself. This man has a real gift and he owes it to himself to take it as far as it can go!
STAY CLEAN!!!!!!!!!!!
@freddiemercerful
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
Such an ace song mate.
@jacobmassi7283
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
I fucking love this video
@chuckwilson9099
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
Hayden. Love what you do bro. Gems guy. Go find him again. The heck you doin
@gavinjohnston8156
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
I am thoroughly convinced that Benjamin and Lost Dog Street Band are the greatest “unrecognized” artists of the 21st century. Unbelievable talent and emotion
@brookeblackburn777
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
💜
@zachkeegan4832
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
Common dub
@DonnyKash80
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
I don't think Ben could've said it better. Ben has helped me to not to commit suicide with his songs. For quite a while now. Ex: I'm sorry for the things' I will Rise' Etc etc
@becharac
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
i heard this song in a little bookshop in Croatia, i fell in love immediately!
@chuckwilson9099
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
Better men have died for less, rats get fat no matter where you've been
And San Antone's a catacomb where sirens speak the tongue of broken men
They say your body is a credit card, sell your ass, they're sure to get you well
And if they offer tainted points, just bleach the ends, add a crack upon your belt
And it wasn't all too long ago, crying out in a hospital gown
With a bandage torn off from the chest and an out to stick the landing coming down
The boarding house was an easy out, but it don't help when the noise begins to tower
And every second is a minute and every minute is another endless hour
So swing low, sweet northern wind to guide my weary bones
Don't let them bury me in San Antone
Don't you bury me in San Antone
Now pacing an apartment, gifted clothes hang tattered, torn, and loose
How deeply green the grass must be as it calls beyond the window of a noose
And now cowardice is baring teeth, a fit of shakes in wait before the sight
So I only kill a part of me, the cost that buys some shelter for the night
And now morning comes with vengeance, taunted by the light now growing wild
Bathing in the warmth she brings, a kick to shut down weeping like a child
So begin the false-bought clarity, the summoned strength to labor through the fight
Just to thumb a stolen wallet and to stumble towards another endless night
So swing low, Mother Misery, let the shackles go
The gift of ease before I die alone,
And I know I'll die alone
Better men have died for less, but the rats get fat no matter where you've been
@thomaswalker4325
March 31, 2026 at 3:43 am
I understand.
Comments are closed.