A tree, standing by the road
Scarred and weathered, many stories untold
Just a tree, I pass by everyday
But now it haunts me and I pray
Did you ever get the chance to kiss a girl?
Did you wish that you could fly?
Or travel the whole world?
Did you dream a lot of dreams?
Did you reach up for the sky?
Did you get the chance to say goodbye?
A cross, placed against the tree
A faded photo, for the world to see
Many flowers, gathered all around
As skid marks trace along the ground, and
Did you ever get the chance to kiss a girl?
Did you wish that you could fly?
Or travel the whole world?
Did you dream a lot of dreams?
Did you reach up for the sky?
Did you get the chance to say goodbye?
Did you think you couldn't bleed?
Did you think you'd never die?
Were you being reckless?
Or was it someone else's crime?
Did you have something to drink?
Was it some other kind of high?
Did you think about your family?
Did you get to say goodbye?
A tree, standing by the road
Scarred and weathered, many stories untold
Just a face, a face I never knew
But still I shed a tear, I'll cry for you, but
Did you ever get the chance to kiss a girl?
Did you wish that you could fly?
Or travel the whole world?
Did you dream a lot of dreams?
Did you reach up for the sky?
Did you get the chance to say goodbye?
Did you get the chance to say goodbye?
Now its just too late to say goodbye!
http://www.box.net/shared/opevy4bzui
Every day I drive to and from work on the same road. One day there were flowers, a laminated photo and a cross on a tree that I had never paid attention to before. The photo was of a teenage boy and I started thinking about this young guy who had had this whole world ahead of him. I starting wondering what had happened? How it happened? And what he'd seen or done in his life before it was cut short. This song was what resulted from that questioning.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Written in the Stars
He said for better, she said for worse
He'll take her with an empty purse
They'll weather what the god's may send
They'll love and cherish till the end
And every rose that ever blooms
Will be for them, this bride and groom
For this love will make their dreams come true
And their love will never die
You can see it in their eyes
As two hearts become
Joined as one
They can't be torn apart
It's been a long journey, strong and true
To finally say 'I Do'
Now their hearts will sing in harmony
It was written in the stars
A boy with hope, a girl with dreams
Their love is everything it seems
The sun will rise, the sun will set
It has each day since they first met
The ocean blue won't touch the sky
Cause there's no need for fish to fly
But this love will make their dreams come true
And their love will never die
You can see it in their eyes
As two hearts become
Joined as one
They can't be torn apart
It's been a long journey, strong and true
To finally say 'I Do'
Now their hearts will sing in harmony
It was written in the stars
You could search a lifetime
And never find a love like this
A love that's kind, a love devine
A love that's heaven's kiss
Two become a lock
And only two will have the key
These two will build a lifetime
And their love will never die
You can see it in their eyes
As two hearts become
Joined as one
They can't be torn apart
It's been a long journey, strong and true
To finally say 'I Do'
Now their hearts will sing in harmony
It was written in the stars
Of happy memories
http://www.box.net/shared/tf56df0y9j
My cousin was getting married and they asked me to write a song to sing during the ceremony.
I have lots of close friends and family getting engaged at the moment, so it seemed an appropriate time to write a wedding song. I tried to think about a song that would work in a Disney movie as I wrote this.
He'll take her with an empty purse
They'll weather what the god's may send
They'll love and cherish till the end
And every rose that ever blooms
Will be for them, this bride and groom
For this love will make their dreams come true
And their love will never die
You can see it in their eyes
As two hearts become
Joined as one
They can't be torn apart
It's been a long journey, strong and true
To finally say 'I Do'
Now their hearts will sing in harmony
It was written in the stars
A boy with hope, a girl with dreams
Their love is everything it seems
The sun will rise, the sun will set
It has each day since they first met
The ocean blue won't touch the sky
Cause there's no need for fish to fly
But this love will make their dreams come true
And their love will never die
You can see it in their eyes
As two hearts become
Joined as one
They can't be torn apart
It's been a long journey, strong and true
To finally say 'I Do'
Now their hearts will sing in harmony
It was written in the stars
You could search a lifetime
And never find a love like this
A love that's kind, a love devine
A love that's heaven's kiss
Two become a lock
And only two will have the key
These two will build a lifetime
And their love will never die
You can see it in their eyes
As two hearts become
Joined as one
They can't be torn apart
It's been a long journey, strong and true
To finally say 'I Do'
Now their hearts will sing in harmony
It was written in the stars
Of happy memories
http://www.box.net/shared/tf56df0y9j
My cousin was getting married and they asked me to write a song to sing during the ceremony.
I have lots of close friends and family getting engaged at the moment, so it seemed an appropriate time to write a wedding song. I tried to think about a song that would work in a Disney movie as I wrote this.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
A Grain of Salt
Caught up with you the other day
Hadn't seen you for a while
You asked me what's been going on
I said 'it's just the same old grind,
Got nothing to complain about
Nothing special to report;
So over to you, spill the beans
Any progress on your multitude of dreams?'
But first I'll need a grain of salt
And a bottle of tequila
Leave aside the squeeze of lime
Don't dilute my margarita
The lies you call news
I can only excuse
With a trusty grain of salt
And a bottle of tequila
So works been going very well
You're employee of the year
But you still make time for other things
Outside of your career
Swam the channel, learnt to fly
Got a Grammy on your shelf
Stopped climate change, cured disease
And of course, your still working on world peace
I'll take that with a grain of salt
And a bottle of tequila
Leave aside the squeeze of lime
Don't dilute my margarita
The lies you call news
I can only excuse
With a trusty grain of salt
And a bottle of tequila
You don't let truth get in the way
Of a good story, you prefer those shades of grey
I don't trust a word you say
But we're still mates, at the end of the day...
I'll take you with a grain of salt and a bottle of tequila
Leave aside the squeeze of lime, don't dilute my margarita...
Acoustic Version:
http://www.box.net/shared/da4tfv09en
Band Version:
http://www.box.net/shared/z2vx3s1l47
(c) Renee Jonas/Elizabeth Usher
I went over to Elizabeth's place for a co-writing session and we were chatting about random things and got talking about the type of people that you may like, but you have to take everything they say with a grain of salt (and a bottle of tequila) this song grew out of that.
We recently recorded a 'scratch demo' with Steve Manovski at Origami Studios in Kirrawee; at one of the regular songwriting sessions they have there.
Check out the links above to listen to the 2 rough demos we put down in the studio
www.origamistudios.com.au
Hadn't seen you for a while
You asked me what's been going on
I said 'it's just the same old grind,
Got nothing to complain about
Nothing special to report;
So over to you, spill the beans
Any progress on your multitude of dreams?'
But first I'll need a grain of salt
And a bottle of tequila
Leave aside the squeeze of lime
Don't dilute my margarita
The lies you call news
I can only excuse
With a trusty grain of salt
And a bottle of tequila
So works been going very well
You're employee of the year
But you still make time for other things
Outside of your career
Swam the channel, learnt to fly
Got a Grammy on your shelf
Stopped climate change, cured disease
And of course, your still working on world peace
I'll take that with a grain of salt
And a bottle of tequila
Leave aside the squeeze of lime
Don't dilute my margarita
The lies you call news
I can only excuse
With a trusty grain of salt
And a bottle of tequila
You don't let truth get in the way
Of a good story, you prefer those shades of grey
I don't trust a word you say
But we're still mates, at the end of the day...
I'll take you with a grain of salt and a bottle of tequila
Leave aside the squeeze of lime, don't dilute my margarita...
Acoustic Version:
http://www.box.net/shared/da4tfv09en
Band Version:
http://www.box.net/shared/z2vx3s1l47
(c) Renee Jonas/Elizabeth Usher
I went over to Elizabeth's place for a co-writing session and we were chatting about random things and got talking about the type of people that you may like, but you have to take everything they say with a grain of salt (and a bottle of tequila) this song grew out of that.
We recently recorded a 'scratch demo' with Steve Manovski at Origami Studios in Kirrawee; at one of the regular songwriting sessions they have there.
Check out the links above to listen to the 2 rough demos we put down in the studio
www.origamistudios.com.au
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
I Believe
Ooh Ooh Ooh
Sun in the sky, silver clouds floating on by
Bring tender rain, trying to heal the pain yeah
Soaked to the skin as i'm washed clean, oh yeah
Erasing the past what i've see, where i've been
And I believe in a future, where we all can be free
Where we're living and loving, and we learn to agree
Well maybe its hard to try to understand,
Make our plans, and find the peace and justice within
But one day we'll win
Ahh Ahh Ooh
Fire in your eyes, as you see, a world of hypocrisy
Fighting for truth, is fighting age old youth
Chilled to the bone, on a grave diggers throne, oh yeah
Fighting the fear, i'd outgrown, that i'm all alone
And I believe in a future, where we all can be free
Where we're living and loving, and we learn to agree
Well maybe its hard to try to understand,
Make our plans, and find the peace and justice within
But one day we'll win
Ahh Ooh
The horizon is dark, but hope ripples
Like a tiny white lightening spark
A new dawn everyday
Showing us another way
And I believe in a future, where we all can be free
Where we're living and loving, and we learn to agree
Well maybe its hard to try to understand,
Make our plans, fight for the peace and justice within
I believe in a future, I believe, I believe, I believe, Oh Yeah
That one day we'll win
http://www.box.net/shared/7pjggcfyb7
(c) Renee Jonas/Connor Cleary
This song was co-written with a good friend, who is a guitarist. I was at his place and we were jamming and chatting and he started playing the first few chords of the song and we were laughing about how they sounded like 'happy clouds' this song had the working title of 'Happy Cloud Song' for a long time, and started the lyrics off.
He basically put down the entire backing track in a couple of hours and I took the song home and wrote a melody and lyrics over the top of it - some things melodically and lyrically were influenced by the backing track - for example the final chorus - there wasn't enough space to sing a double chorus, but it needed something, which is why I looped it as I did - The 3rd verse is shorter for similar reasons, and where there were sections that I was unsure of what to do with (in between chorus and verse) I sang Ahh's and Ooh's - It's just got a chilled, laid back summer vibe to it.
Sun in the sky, silver clouds floating on by
Bring tender rain, trying to heal the pain yeah
Soaked to the skin as i'm washed clean, oh yeah
Erasing the past what i've see, where i've been
And I believe in a future, where we all can be free
Where we're living and loving, and we learn to agree
Well maybe its hard to try to understand,
Make our plans, and find the peace and justice within
But one day we'll win
Ahh Ahh Ooh
Fire in your eyes, as you see, a world of hypocrisy
Fighting for truth, is fighting age old youth
Chilled to the bone, on a grave diggers throne, oh yeah
Fighting the fear, i'd outgrown, that i'm all alone
And I believe in a future, where we all can be free
Where we're living and loving, and we learn to agree
Well maybe its hard to try to understand,
Make our plans, and find the peace and justice within
But one day we'll win
Ahh Ooh
The horizon is dark, but hope ripples
Like a tiny white lightening spark
A new dawn everyday
Showing us another way
And I believe in a future, where we all can be free
Where we're living and loving, and we learn to agree
Well maybe its hard to try to understand,
Make our plans, fight for the peace and justice within
I believe in a future, I believe, I believe, I believe, Oh Yeah
That one day we'll win
http://www.box.net/shared/7pjggcfyb7
(c) Renee Jonas/Connor Cleary
This song was co-written with a good friend, who is a guitarist. I was at his place and we were jamming and chatting and he started playing the first few chords of the song and we were laughing about how they sounded like 'happy clouds' this song had the working title of 'Happy Cloud Song' for a long time, and started the lyrics off.
He basically put down the entire backing track in a couple of hours and I took the song home and wrote a melody and lyrics over the top of it - some things melodically and lyrically were influenced by the backing track - for example the final chorus - there wasn't enough space to sing a double chorus, but it needed something, which is why I looped it as I did - The 3rd verse is shorter for similar reasons, and where there were sections that I was unsure of what to do with (in between chorus and verse) I sang Ahh's and Ooh's - It's just got a chilled, laid back summer vibe to it.
Please tell me what we're doing here
You used to make me laugh,
Now you just make me cry
Yeah i'm still holding on
But now i'm wondering why
Give me a reason
So my mind can stop questioning my heart
You say you love me too, but I know
That we are probably better off apart
But for now you're mine, most the time - and that's ok
I used to feel your joy,
Now I can see your pain
And most our dreams have gone
Now we aren't dreaming the same
Please let me in there
So I can try to awaken up the spark
I promise to tread carefully
Cause I am now afraid of the dark
Don't wanna be alone, not on my own
Please tell me what we're doing here
I don't understand
How'd it go so wrong, get out of hand
Thought a love like ours would never die
But now I know - that that's a lie
We used to fuel the fire,
And never get burnt
Now we're both a bit singed
Though the fire's gone out
Why wont you let me
Walk away and try to make a new start
Is it cause you fear that i'll take,
With me a piece of your heart
Mine is broken too - a piece with you
Please tell me what we're doing here
I don't understand
How'd it go so wrong, get out of hand
Thought a love like ours would never die
But now I know - that that's a lie
Please tell me what we're doing here
I don't understand
How'd it go so wrong, get out of hand
Thought a love like ours would never die
But now I know - that that's a lie
http://www.box.net/shared/94cb27uoib
This song I wrote in the last 6 months of my relationship with my first boyfriend and although I don't usually write about personal situations and feelings, this one sort of just came out, as a form of self counseling, as I struggled with the decision of whether to end the relationship or not - and how to end it.
(on a personal note - I realized boyfriend #2's time was up when I started relating to and feeling like I was living in this song again)
This song was a cathartic release for me and at the end of writing it, I knew that whether I liked it or not - the decision had been made and it was just a matter of when and how.
Now you just make me cry
Yeah i'm still holding on
But now i'm wondering why
Give me a reason
So my mind can stop questioning my heart
You say you love me too, but I know
That we are probably better off apart
But for now you're mine, most the time - and that's ok
I used to feel your joy,
Now I can see your pain
And most our dreams have gone
Now we aren't dreaming the same
Please let me in there
So I can try to awaken up the spark
I promise to tread carefully
Cause I am now afraid of the dark
Don't wanna be alone, not on my own
Please tell me what we're doing here
I don't understand
How'd it go so wrong, get out of hand
Thought a love like ours would never die
But now I know - that that's a lie
We used to fuel the fire,
And never get burnt
Now we're both a bit singed
Though the fire's gone out
Why wont you let me
Walk away and try to make a new start
Is it cause you fear that i'll take,
With me a piece of your heart
Mine is broken too - a piece with you
Please tell me what we're doing here
I don't understand
How'd it go so wrong, get out of hand
Thought a love like ours would never die
But now I know - that that's a lie
Please tell me what we're doing here
I don't understand
How'd it go so wrong, get out of hand
Thought a love like ours would never die
But now I know - that that's a lie
http://www.box.net/shared/94cb27uoib
This song I wrote in the last 6 months of my relationship with my first boyfriend and although I don't usually write about personal situations and feelings, this one sort of just came out, as a form of self counseling, as I struggled with the decision of whether to end the relationship or not - and how to end it.
(on a personal note - I realized boyfriend #2's time was up when I started relating to and feeling like I was living in this song again)
This song was a cathartic release for me and at the end of writing it, I knew that whether I liked it or not - the decision had been made and it was just a matter of when and how.
Stormy Weather Blues
I got the blues this morning, had the blues all day
When I woke up and discovered that the sky was grey
My mama tried to tell me it would be ok
But my stormy weather blues have settled into stay
I need blue skies above me, need the sun in the sky
To put a smile on my face and keep my spirits high
The weather man he told me, that the rain would clear today
But my blues they aint leaving they're here to stay
I had the blues this morning, had them yesterday
And tomorrows looking like its heading the same way
The doctor tried to tell me it is so cliche
But my stormy weather blues have settled into stay
I need blue skies above me, need the sun in the sky
To put a smile on my face and keep my spirits high
The weather man he told me, that the rain would clear today
But my blues they aint leaving they're here to stay
I got the blues, the stormy weather blues
Morning, night or noon, I got the real bad blues
One moment i'm fine, while the sun's in the sky
Then a cloud comes over and I start to cry
I need blue skies above me, need the sun in the sky
To put a smile on my face and keep my spirits high
The weather man he told me, that the rain would clear today
But my blues they aint leaving they're here to stay
I feel the blues this morning and to my dismay
I gotta feeling they won't leave me till i'm old and grey
My friends they tried to tell me, they will leave some day
But I know my stormy weather blues have settled into stay
I need blue skies above me, need the sun in the sky
To put a smile on my face and keep my spirits high
The weather man he told me, that the rain would clear today
But my blues they aint leaving they're here to stay
Yeah my blues they aint leaving they're here to stay
No my blues they aint leaving they're here to stay
http://www.box.net/shared/x9muxcmyn5
I wrote this song, very quickly one day - after I had already written one song and just thought I'd write a quick blues song - so this is my token 'blues song'
When I woke up and discovered that the sky was grey
My mama tried to tell me it would be ok
But my stormy weather blues have settled into stay
I need blue skies above me, need the sun in the sky
To put a smile on my face and keep my spirits high
The weather man he told me, that the rain would clear today
But my blues they aint leaving they're here to stay
I had the blues this morning, had them yesterday
And tomorrows looking like its heading the same way
The doctor tried to tell me it is so cliche
But my stormy weather blues have settled into stay
I need blue skies above me, need the sun in the sky
To put a smile on my face and keep my spirits high
The weather man he told me, that the rain would clear today
But my blues they aint leaving they're here to stay
I got the blues, the stormy weather blues
Morning, night or noon, I got the real bad blues
One moment i'm fine, while the sun's in the sky
Then a cloud comes over and I start to cry
I need blue skies above me, need the sun in the sky
To put a smile on my face and keep my spirits high
The weather man he told me, that the rain would clear today
But my blues they aint leaving they're here to stay
I feel the blues this morning and to my dismay
I gotta feeling they won't leave me till i'm old and grey
My friends they tried to tell me, they will leave some day
But I know my stormy weather blues have settled into stay
I need blue skies above me, need the sun in the sky
To put a smile on my face and keep my spirits high
The weather man he told me, that the rain would clear today
But my blues they aint leaving they're here to stay
Yeah my blues they aint leaving they're here to stay
No my blues they aint leaving they're here to stay
http://www.box.net/shared/x9muxcmyn5
I wrote this song, very quickly one day - after I had already written one song and just thought I'd write a quick blues song - so this is my token 'blues song'
Saying Goodbye
We both know that its long been over
We're moving on now, day by day, but
I'm still looking back over my shoulder
Can't shake the feeling that, I lost something great
Time keeps drifting by
I stop and wonder why
Why its easier to keep on holding to the past
No mistakes yeah, that can't be left there
Just gotta let it go, gotta make this moment really last
And I forgive you and all the lies too
It's time to say goodbye, gonna walk right out of your life
That's the last time i'll kiss you,
That's the last time i'm gonna miss you
Cause this time we're saying goodbye,
Yeah this time we're saying goodbye
Oh my love goodbye
Sometimes when I am all alone in bed
I remember those heated words we said
Well you're in my dreams and you promise me things
But now I know the truth I'm better off without you
And I forgive you and all the lies too
It's time to say goodbye, gonna walk right out of your life
That's the last time i'll kiss you,
That's the last time i'm gonna miss you
Cause this time we're saying goodbye,
Yeah this time we're saying goodbye
Oh my love goodbye
We both know that its long been over
We're moving on now, day by day, but
I'm still looking back over my shoulder
Can't shake the feeling that, I lost something great
And I forgive you and all the lies too
It's time to say goodbye, gonna walk right out of your life
That's the last time i'll kiss you,
That's the last time i'm gonna miss you
Cause this time we're saying goodbye
And I forgive you and all the lies too
It's time to say goodbye, gonna walk right out of your life
That's the last time i'll kiss you,
That's the last time i'm gonna miss you
Cause this time we're saying goodbye
And I forgive you and all the lies too
It's time to say goodbye, gonna walk right out of your life
That's the last time i'll kiss you,
That's the last time i'm gonna miss you
Cause this time we're saying goodbye,
Yeah this time we're saying goodbye
Oh my love goodbye
http://www.box.net/shared/z92gmp595q
This song was written about 6 months after I broke up with my first boyfriend; we'd been together for a long time and I was surprised that I hadn't had any regrets or moments where I wondered if breaking up with him was the right thing to do. As at the time I broke up with him I assumed it would be difficult for me to do and would haunt me for some time to come - which led me to thinking about people that do end a relationship knowing the relationship is bad and that ending it is the right thing to do, but have regrets or question their decision later on, when they get lonely, its also about relationships that are on again off again for the same uncertainty. This song was written from the perspective of someone who is still clinging to a relationship that has ended and is yet to really say goodbye in their heart and move on. Through the story of the song, they are finally realizing its over and this song is the final goodbye (tinged with a slight sorrow) - their moment of emancipation!
We're moving on now, day by day, but
I'm still looking back over my shoulder
Can't shake the feeling that, I lost something great
Time keeps drifting by
I stop and wonder why
Why its easier to keep on holding to the past
No mistakes yeah, that can't be left there
Just gotta let it go, gotta make this moment really last
And I forgive you and all the lies too
It's time to say goodbye, gonna walk right out of your life
That's the last time i'll kiss you,
That's the last time i'm gonna miss you
Cause this time we're saying goodbye,
Yeah this time we're saying goodbye
Oh my love goodbye
Sometimes when I am all alone in bed
I remember those heated words we said
Well you're in my dreams and you promise me things
But now I know the truth I'm better off without you
And I forgive you and all the lies too
It's time to say goodbye, gonna walk right out of your life
That's the last time i'll kiss you,
That's the last time i'm gonna miss you
Cause this time we're saying goodbye,
Yeah this time we're saying goodbye
Oh my love goodbye
We both know that its long been over
We're moving on now, day by day, but
I'm still looking back over my shoulder
Can't shake the feeling that, I lost something great
And I forgive you and all the lies too
It's time to say goodbye, gonna walk right out of your life
That's the last time i'll kiss you,
That's the last time i'm gonna miss you
Cause this time we're saying goodbye
And I forgive you and all the lies too
It's time to say goodbye, gonna walk right out of your life
That's the last time i'll kiss you,
That's the last time i'm gonna miss you
Cause this time we're saying goodbye
And I forgive you and all the lies too
It's time to say goodbye, gonna walk right out of your life
That's the last time i'll kiss you,
That's the last time i'm gonna miss you
Cause this time we're saying goodbye,
Yeah this time we're saying goodbye
Oh my love goodbye
http://www.box.net/shared/z92gmp595q
This song was written about 6 months after I broke up with my first boyfriend; we'd been together for a long time and I was surprised that I hadn't had any regrets or moments where I wondered if breaking up with him was the right thing to do. As at the time I broke up with him I assumed it would be difficult for me to do and would haunt me for some time to come - which led me to thinking about people that do end a relationship knowing the relationship is bad and that ending it is the right thing to do, but have regrets or question their decision later on, when they get lonely, its also about relationships that are on again off again for the same uncertainty. This song was written from the perspective of someone who is still clinging to a relationship that has ended and is yet to really say goodbye in their heart and move on. Through the story of the song, they are finally realizing its over and this song is the final goodbye (tinged with a slight sorrow) - their moment of emancipation!
French Vanilla Day
Sitting feeling down,
Trying to go on without you
But the sun don't shine today
No stars will light up my night
I can't forget you
Without you I can't sleep
You promised me your love
Whispered moonbeams danced with delight
Sheltered from the storm
Your sweet caress helped me go on
I don't regret you
But I sure do miss you so
We loved so bitter sweet
Stars would sing whenever we'd meet
But like the turning of the tide
Our sweet passion would soon subside
Since I first met you
I have known you were the one for me
Oh you promised me forever
So tell me why, forever only lasted a day?
Well now I know, every heartbeat means a lifetime
And every kiss, sweet death from bliss Oh
A french vanilla day
Brought the breeze that blew you away
And I half put up a fight
Till I saw where you had flown
But she wont get you
This is my promise to you
Oh you promised me forever
So tell me why, forever only lasted a day?
Well now I know, every heartbeat means a lifetime
And every kiss, sweet death from bliss Oh
I surrendered to the dawn,
Silvery tears cling to soft haze of morn
First blush of sun's daylight
Erase the fears that fade from sight
Oh I still love you
But I can now let you go
http://www.box.net/shared/s09d8q2gc5
This song I wrote after I started discovering Major 7th chords at Tafe. It started with me simply experimenting - I had the first verse in free time for probably a couple of years before I revisited it and added the 4th and 5th verses, more months (possibly years) went by and I eventually added the 2nd and 3rd verses - changing the feel and adding the bridge/chorus to it. I really like some of the imagery in the song - it came by its title after recording it originally with a guy I know, who kept referring to it as that french vanilla day song, not having any other title at the time - it stuck!
Trying to go on without you
But the sun don't shine today
No stars will light up my night
I can't forget you
Without you I can't sleep
You promised me your love
Whispered moonbeams danced with delight
Sheltered from the storm
Your sweet caress helped me go on
I don't regret you
But I sure do miss you so
We loved so bitter sweet
Stars would sing whenever we'd meet
But like the turning of the tide
Our sweet passion would soon subside
Since I first met you
I have known you were the one for me
Oh you promised me forever
So tell me why, forever only lasted a day?
Well now I know, every heartbeat means a lifetime
And every kiss, sweet death from bliss Oh
A french vanilla day
Brought the breeze that blew you away
And I half put up a fight
Till I saw where you had flown
But she wont get you
This is my promise to you
Oh you promised me forever
So tell me why, forever only lasted a day?
Well now I know, every heartbeat means a lifetime
And every kiss, sweet death from bliss Oh
I surrendered to the dawn,
Silvery tears cling to soft haze of morn
First blush of sun's daylight
Erase the fears that fade from sight
Oh I still love you
But I can now let you go
http://www.box.net/shared/s09d8q2gc5
This song I wrote after I started discovering Major 7th chords at Tafe. It started with me simply experimenting - I had the first verse in free time for probably a couple of years before I revisited it and added the 4th and 5th verses, more months (possibly years) went by and I eventually added the 2nd and 3rd verses - changing the feel and adding the bridge/chorus to it. I really like some of the imagery in the song - it came by its title after recording it originally with a guy I know, who kept referring to it as that french vanilla day song, not having any other title at the time - it stuck!
All the shades of grey
You said, loves not supposed to be easy
Well you read, the inner torment of my mind
And i know, my heart holds secrets you can't see
But don't let me go, cause if you search, you don't know what you may find
And all the shades of grey on a winters day, may find you
And all the stars so bright, shining through the night, may bind you
But all the love we've shared, wont show you cared, enough to stay
So will you love me, through all the darker shades of grey?
I can see through every truth, to your sweet lies
You're telling me, the web we weave is our demise
but today fortune favours those who wait
So if you'll stay, please let me say, this is kismet, this is fate
And all the shades of grey on a winters day, may find you
And all the stars so bright, shining through the night, may bind you
But all the love we've shared, wont show you cared, enough to stay
So will you love me, through all the darker shades of grey?
Nobody said loves supposed to be easy,
No, no, no, no way to test but through the test of time
But surely you know, the best way to please me
Is to simply give your heart to mine
And all the shades of grey on a winters day, may find you
And all the stars so bright, shining through the night, may bind you
But all the love we've shared, wont show you cared, enough to stay
So will you love me, through all the darker shades of grey?
And all the shades of grey on a winters day, may find you
And all the stars so bright, shining through the night, may bind you
But all the love we've shared, wont show you cared, enough to stay
So will you love me, through all the darker shades of grey?
Oh will you love me through all the darker shades of grey?
http://www.box.net/shared/f6fhdzy0ez
I wrote this song after going to Woodford Folk festival one year and hearing an amazing gypsy band
Well you read, the inner torment of my mind
And i know, my heart holds secrets you can't see
But don't let me go, cause if you search, you don't know what you may find
And all the shades of grey on a winters day, may find you
And all the stars so bright, shining through the night, may bind you
But all the love we've shared, wont show you cared, enough to stay
So will you love me, through all the darker shades of grey?
I can see through every truth, to your sweet lies
You're telling me, the web we weave is our demise
but today fortune favours those who wait
So if you'll stay, please let me say, this is kismet, this is fate
And all the shades of grey on a winters day, may find you
And all the stars so bright, shining through the night, may bind you
But all the love we've shared, wont show you cared, enough to stay
So will you love me, through all the darker shades of grey?
Nobody said loves supposed to be easy,
No, no, no, no way to test but through the test of time
But surely you know, the best way to please me
Is to simply give your heart to mine
And all the shades of grey on a winters day, may find you
And all the stars so bright, shining through the night, may bind you
But all the love we've shared, wont show you cared, enough to stay
So will you love me, through all the darker shades of grey?
And all the shades of grey on a winters day, may find you
And all the stars so bright, shining through the night, may bind you
But all the love we've shared, wont show you cared, enough to stay
So will you love me, through all the darker shades of grey?
Oh will you love me through all the darker shades of grey?
http://www.box.net/shared/f6fhdzy0ez
I wrote this song after going to Woodford Folk festival one year and hearing an amazing gypsy band
K9 Town
Can't you see?
There's no way that i could ever leave
Small town procrastination holds me here
In K9 town
Suddenly,
People staring they won't let me be
Small world anticipation blocks the fear
Of K9 town
Unwanted! Disillusionment beckons
Tall shadows in the dark
They try to fight the spark
In K9 town
All alone,
Courage is dying and my fears have grown
Inside i'm crying i'm not made of stone
Like K9 town
Serpents tongue,
Leaves me weeping, keeps me on the run
For what i'm seeking yet i'm never done
with K9 town
Forgotten! Mad illusions will reckon
I'm trapped somewhere inside
There's no way left to hide
In K9 town
You said you'd stay,
You'd help me to face the grey
Together we'd walk into the light
Together we'd fight, Yeah
Well you said you'd stay, Oh Yeah
But you ran away
Now i'm on my own
I'm fighting alone
These creatures unknown
A howling moon,
Comes to haunt me but it comes too soon
It tries to taunt me laughing through the gloom
Of K9 town
Ghostly smile,
Comes to greet me, make me stay awhile
The welcomes fleeting as i face the trial
Of K9 town
Rejection! Feeds delusions aggression
These nightmares melt away
As night turns into day
In K9 town
You said you'd stay,
You'd help me to face the grey
Together we'd walk into the light
Together we'd fight, Yeah
Well you said you'd stay, Oh Yeah
But you ran away
Now i'm on my own
I'm fighting alone
These creatures unknown
My nightmares have grown
In K9 Town
(c) Renee Jonas/Mark David
This song I co-wrote with my ex boyfriend - he basically had already written the backing track and I put a melody and lyrics over the top. He had named the backing track K9 Town which sounded interesting to me so i ran with it - kind of wanted it to have a 'thriller' vibe to it. It just had 2 verses and 2 chorus' to begin with and gradually i added the 3rd verse and chorus and the alternate 'chorus/bridge' section.
There's no way that i could ever leave
Small town procrastination holds me here
In K9 town
Suddenly,
People staring they won't let me be
Small world anticipation blocks the fear
Of K9 town
Unwanted! Disillusionment beckons
Tall shadows in the dark
They try to fight the spark
In K9 town
All alone,
Courage is dying and my fears have grown
Inside i'm crying i'm not made of stone
Like K9 town
Serpents tongue,
Leaves me weeping, keeps me on the run
For what i'm seeking yet i'm never done
with K9 town
Forgotten! Mad illusions will reckon
I'm trapped somewhere inside
There's no way left to hide
In K9 town
You said you'd stay,
You'd help me to face the grey
Together we'd walk into the light
Together we'd fight, Yeah
Well you said you'd stay, Oh Yeah
But you ran away
Now i'm on my own
I'm fighting alone
These creatures unknown
A howling moon,
Comes to haunt me but it comes too soon
It tries to taunt me laughing through the gloom
Of K9 town
Ghostly smile,
Comes to greet me, make me stay awhile
The welcomes fleeting as i face the trial
Of K9 town
Rejection! Feeds delusions aggression
These nightmares melt away
As night turns into day
In K9 town
You said you'd stay,
You'd help me to face the grey
Together we'd walk into the light
Together we'd fight, Yeah
Well you said you'd stay, Oh Yeah
But you ran away
Now i'm on my own
I'm fighting alone
These creatures unknown
My nightmares have grown
In K9 Town
(c) Renee Jonas/Mark David
This song I co-wrote with my ex boyfriend - he basically had already written the backing track and I put a melody and lyrics over the top. He had named the backing track K9 Town which sounded interesting to me so i ran with it - kind of wanted it to have a 'thriller' vibe to it. It just had 2 verses and 2 chorus' to begin with and gradually i added the 3rd verse and chorus and the alternate 'chorus/bridge' section.
A Little Frustrated!
Some days just seem to get me down
When all I know is all turned around
When all my dreams are good as dust
And there's no one that I can trust
Well I'm feeling, just a little frustrated yeah
As my house of cards is tumblin down the stairs
In my whole world aint got one ace to play
I'm a little frustrated, so there'll be hell to pay
Life can be a b*tch sometimes
It's do or die and i'm not the roll over kind
Don't 'three bags full sir' me, your words are trite
And I will try to do what I thinks right
But I'm feeling, just a little frustrated yeah
As my house of cards is tumblin down the stairs
In my whole world aint got one ace to play
I'm a little frustrated, so there'll be hell to pay
Dont patronise me i'm no empty smile
Its in your eyes, your smirk, your false beguile
You think you're something better than you are
Well watch your step or you might fall too far
Cause I'm feeling, just a little frustrated yeah
As my house of cards is tumblin down the stairs
In my whole world aint got one ace to play
I'm a little frustrated, so there'll be hell to pay
It's the traffic jam
The rain on my washing
It's the best laid plans
Or no cream for my coffee
Its out of control and its eating me whole
Its not want I wanna be
Oh I'm feeling, just a little frustrated yeah
As my house of cards is tumblin down the stairs
In my whole world aint got one ace to play
I'm a little frustrated, so there'll be hell to pay
Well I'm feeling, just a little frustrated yeah
As my house of cards is tumblin down the stairs
In my whole world aint got one ace to play
I'm a little frustrated, so there'll be hell to pay
I'm a little frustrated so there'll be hell to pay
I'm a little frustrated so there'll be hell today
This is a fairly recent song - I was feeling very frustrated and annoyed with many things at the time and wanted to write a song that expressed that, I wanted it to be a bit cheeky and have a rock chick vibe (by the end of writing the song I was no longer frustrated) :)
When all I know is all turned around
When all my dreams are good as dust
And there's no one that I can trust
Well I'm feeling, just a little frustrated yeah
As my house of cards is tumblin down the stairs
In my whole world aint got one ace to play
I'm a little frustrated, so there'll be hell to pay
Life can be a b*tch sometimes
It's do or die and i'm not the roll over kind
Don't 'three bags full sir' me, your words are trite
And I will try to do what I thinks right
But I'm feeling, just a little frustrated yeah
As my house of cards is tumblin down the stairs
In my whole world aint got one ace to play
I'm a little frustrated, so there'll be hell to pay
Dont patronise me i'm no empty smile
Its in your eyes, your smirk, your false beguile
You think you're something better than you are
Well watch your step or you might fall too far
Cause I'm feeling, just a little frustrated yeah
As my house of cards is tumblin down the stairs
In my whole world aint got one ace to play
I'm a little frustrated, so there'll be hell to pay
It's the traffic jam
The rain on my washing
It's the best laid plans
Or no cream for my coffee
Its out of control and its eating me whole
Its not want I wanna be
Oh I'm feeling, just a little frustrated yeah
As my house of cards is tumblin down the stairs
In my whole world aint got one ace to play
I'm a little frustrated, so there'll be hell to pay
Well I'm feeling, just a little frustrated yeah
As my house of cards is tumblin down the stairs
In my whole world aint got one ace to play
I'm a little frustrated, so there'll be hell to pay
I'm a little frustrated so there'll be hell to pay
I'm a little frustrated so there'll be hell today
This is a fairly recent song - I was feeling very frustrated and annoyed with many things at the time and wanted to write a song that expressed that, I wanted it to be a bit cheeky and have a rock chick vibe (by the end of writing the song I was no longer frustrated) :)
Thursday, July 1, 2010
If Only
If only I'd stayed that day,
Would I feel this lonely right now?
If only I wasn't afraid,
Cause I had your arms around me, but I just turned and walked away
If only I could see a happy after,
If only I believed in second chance
If only you were here, standing next to me
If only wasn't only make believe
If only I'd been there for you,
You might have helped when I couldn't go on
If only I'd told you the truth
I'd be dreamin 'bout tomorrow instead of missin yesterday
If only I could see a happy after,
If only I believed in second chance
If only you were here, standing next to me
If only wasn't only make believe
Would I feel this lonely right now?
If only I wasn't afraid,
Cause I had your arms around me, but I just turned and walked away
If only I could see a happy after,
If only I believed in second chance
If only you were here, standing next to me
If only wasn't only make believe
If only I'd been there for you,
You might have helped when I couldn't go on
If only I'd told you the truth
I'd be dreamin 'bout tomorrow instead of missin yesterday
If only I could see a happy after,
If only I believed in second chance
If only you were here, standing next to me
If only wasn't only make believe
If only we'd shared our dreams
We'd have built a dream just for two
If only we'd held on tight
We'd have someone to hold on to through the dark and lonely nights
If only I'd stayed that day,
Would I feel this lonely right now?
If only I wasn't afraid,
Cause I had your arms around me, but I just turned and walked away
If only I could see a happy after,
If only I believed in second chance
If only you were here, standing next to me
If only wasn't only make believe
If only wasn't only make believe
http://www.box.net/shared/y5jt7ldzpt
This song was written melody and lyrics together in about 5 minutes. It all just came out splat on the page and was done. Originally however there was a third verse, it has since been altered melodically to become a bridge section, before heading back into the first verse again. I really like the cyclic effect of going back to beginning again at the end.
This song is about regrets. Regretting what might have been 'If only'...
We'd have built a dream just for two
If only we'd held on tight
We'd have someone to hold on to through the dark and lonely nights
If only I'd stayed that day,
Would I feel this lonely right now?
If only I wasn't afraid,
Cause I had your arms around me, but I just turned and walked away
If only I could see a happy after,
If only I believed in second chance
If only you were here, standing next to me
If only wasn't only make believe
If only wasn't only make believe
http://www.box.net/shared/y5jt7ldzpt
This song was written melody and lyrics together in about 5 minutes. It all just came out splat on the page and was done. Originally however there was a third verse, it has since been altered melodically to become a bridge section, before heading back into the first verse again. I really like the cyclic effect of going back to beginning again at the end.
This song is about regrets. Regretting what might have been 'If only'...
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Songbird
This is the Youtube video that my old duo partner and I recorded with the help of some lovely students at the Lismore Conservatorium.
This is a Christina McVie (Fleetwood Mac) original - covered by Eva Cassidy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HK6iwL7NIgw
Hope you like it :)
This is a Christina McVie (Fleetwood Mac) original - covered by Eva Cassidy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HK6iwL7NIgw
Hope you like it :)
Don't say it (If you don't mean it)
Do you mean it? Don't you hate when we're apart?
There's your truth and honey sometimes there is mine
And the truth is - the truth of love is hard to find
Don't say it if you don't mean it,
Don't make this love a lie
Truth is never easy
And I can see it in your eye
You said your sorry, but what are you really sorry for?
That you hurt me? Or that i caught you with that... huh!
You begged forgiveness, but I'm not so pure or so kind
And true forgiveness, like the truth is hard to find
Don't say it if you don't mean it,
Don't make this love a lie
Truth is never easy
And I can see it in your eye
People's truth's don't always see eye to eye but,
That ain't no good reason, for you to lie
I'm not asking for promises and fairy tales
All i want is for a little truth, to get in the way, so
Don't say it if you don't mean it,
Don't make this love a lie
Truth is never easy
And I can see it in your eye
http://www.box.net/shared/3rvq80xpo4
I had the title of this song, after attending the Blues fest at Byron one year, while watching John Butler it came to me and I originally had in mind for it to be a political song, but months later I was thinking about the truth, and how there is no one universal truth. That in fact two people can both have the 'truth' about a situation and yet their versions of the truth can differ greatly, due to their own personal bias and perspectives, and that every truth needs to be taken with a grain of salt. (Including historical 'truths')
This then led to me thinking about relationships and how you need truth, trust and honesty within a relationship, and that the words 'I love you' can be overused to the point that people say it as routine rather than genuinely feeling true emotion every time they say it. So this became instead a song about not saying something if its just a meaningless platitude.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Life
Girl stepping out on the highway
Thumbing her way to the south
She's gotta lotta new beginnings and a lot to learn
She's reaching forward into her life
What could possibly happen?
What can she hope to achieve?
She's an empty piece of canvas on highway 4
And she's just gaining the strength to dream
And can't you see, she's gotta lot to hope for?
Can't you see, she's gotta lot to dream?
And life can make things happen
But dreams can sometimes disappear
Girl becoming a woman, no time for dreaming today
She's gotta lotta complicated liabilities
And she's searching to find a way
Life becoming a nightmare
Who is she trying to be?
She's a semi painted portrait in a one horse town
But she still has the strength to believe
And can't you see, she's gotta lot to hope for?
Can't you see, she's gotta lot to dream?
And life can make things happen
But dreams can sometimes disappear
Woman stuck on a highway, in a hurry with places to go
She's gotta lotta empty dreams and broken promises
And she's leaving them all behind
Trying to gamble a future
But some don't have a future to give
She's an authentic Mona Lisa sold for 50 cents
And she can't find the strength to achieve
And can't you see, she had a lot to hope for?
Can't you see, she had a lot to dream?
And dreams can make things happen
But life can sometimes disappear
Yeah Life can sometimes disappear.
http://www.box.net/shared/ubufcwh44o
I wrote this song about a girl I met whilst fruit picking after I left high school - we'd both just finished school and the world was our oyster. She was hitch hiking and disappeared and was never heard from again. This song is my tribute to her.
Thumbing her way to the south
She's gotta lotta new beginnings and a lot to learn
She's reaching forward into her life
What could possibly happen?
What can she hope to achieve?
She's an empty piece of canvas on highway 4
And she's just gaining the strength to dream
And can't you see, she's gotta lot to hope for?
Can't you see, she's gotta lot to dream?
And life can make things happen
But dreams can sometimes disappear
Girl becoming a woman, no time for dreaming today
She's gotta lotta complicated liabilities
And she's searching to find a way
Life becoming a nightmare
Who is she trying to be?
She's a semi painted portrait in a one horse town
But she still has the strength to believe
And can't you see, she's gotta lot to hope for?
Can't you see, she's gotta lot to dream?
And life can make things happen
But dreams can sometimes disappear
Woman stuck on a highway, in a hurry with places to go
She's gotta lotta empty dreams and broken promises
And she's leaving them all behind
Trying to gamble a future
But some don't have a future to give
She's an authentic Mona Lisa sold for 50 cents
And she can't find the strength to achieve
And can't you see, she had a lot to hope for?
Can't you see, she had a lot to dream?
And dreams can make things happen
But life can sometimes disappear
Yeah Life can sometimes disappear.
http://www.box.net/shared/ubufcwh44o
I wrote this song about a girl I met whilst fruit picking after I left high school - we'd both just finished school and the world was our oyster. She was hitch hiking and disappeared and was never heard from again. This song is my tribute to her.
If You've Got a Heart
When I leave it's not the hurtin' or the missin' that's so bad
It's knowin' you won't miss me back that makes me really sad
It's the crying that I've done for you and the buckets more I'll shed
While knowing you don't feel the same, fills my heart with dread
Oh baby if you've got a heart you gotta show it
Cause if you've got a heart I need to know it
I can't just keep on coming back, so you can push me away again
oh baby if you've got a heart, you gotta show it
And I don't know why I even bother coming back for more
Cause you know I'd never hurt you, just to even up the score
And your mouth is paying lip service to a heart that isn't there
As your voice says all the right things while your eyes say you don't care
Oh baby if you've got a heart you gotta show it
Cause if you've got a heart I need to know it
I can't just keep on coming back, so you can push me away again
oh baby if you've got a heart, you gotta show it
You think you're being cruel to be kind, but it ain't kind to be cruel
And you say I gotta earn your trust, yet you treat me like a fool
And maybe its a fool I am, since you're treatin' me this way
But a fool is only foolish till she turns and walks away
Oh baby if you've got a heart you gotta show it
Cause if you've got a heart I need to know it
I can't just keep on coming back, so you can push me away again
oh baby if you've got a heart, you gotta show it
Two broken hearts can't make a whole one
So why you tryin' to break mine is it just for fun?
A tear rolls down my face I'm an emotional disgrace
I could have walked away, is this what I should've done?
Oh baby if you've got a heart you gotta show it
Cause if you've got a heart I need to know it
I can't just keep on coming back, so you can push me away again
oh baby if you've got a heart
Oh baby if you've got a heart you gotta show it
Cause if you've got a heart I need to know it
I can't just keep on coming back, so you can push me away again
oh baby if you've got a heart, you gotta show it
This song was written about my Ex Boyfriend. In the end - he didn't have a heart, and I stopped being a fool.
It's knowin' you won't miss me back that makes me really sad
It's the crying that I've done for you and the buckets more I'll shed
While knowing you don't feel the same, fills my heart with dread
Oh baby if you've got a heart you gotta show it
Cause if you've got a heart I need to know it
I can't just keep on coming back, so you can push me away again
oh baby if you've got a heart, you gotta show it
And I don't know why I even bother coming back for more
Cause you know I'd never hurt you, just to even up the score
And your mouth is paying lip service to a heart that isn't there
As your voice says all the right things while your eyes say you don't care
Oh baby if you've got a heart you gotta show it
Cause if you've got a heart I need to know it
I can't just keep on coming back, so you can push me away again
oh baby if you've got a heart, you gotta show it
You think you're being cruel to be kind, but it ain't kind to be cruel
And you say I gotta earn your trust, yet you treat me like a fool
And maybe its a fool I am, since you're treatin' me this way
But a fool is only foolish till she turns and walks away
Oh baby if you've got a heart you gotta show it
Cause if you've got a heart I need to know it
I can't just keep on coming back, so you can push me away again
oh baby if you've got a heart, you gotta show it
Two broken hearts can't make a whole one
So why you tryin' to break mine is it just for fun?
A tear rolls down my face I'm an emotional disgrace
I could have walked away, is this what I should've done?
Oh baby if you've got a heart you gotta show it
Cause if you've got a heart I need to know it
I can't just keep on coming back, so you can push me away again
oh baby if you've got a heart
Oh baby if you've got a heart you gotta show it
Cause if you've got a heart I need to know it
I can't just keep on coming back, so you can push me away again
oh baby if you've got a heart, you gotta show it
This song was written about my Ex Boyfriend. In the end - he didn't have a heart, and I stopped being a fool.
The first of many
I'm not really sure what I'm doing yet with this whole blog thing, just winging it and seeing how i go :)
Currently trying to record some of my originals at a demo quality, at home on my laptop and get chord charts together; so i can look at getting some gigs. I'm going to paste some of my songs lyrics as blogs, along with some brief info about the lyrics. What inspired them etc :)
Currently trying to record some of my originals at a demo quality, at home on my laptop and get chord charts together; so i can look at getting some gigs. I'm going to paste some of my songs lyrics as blogs, along with some brief info about the lyrics. What inspired them etc :)
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