Get all 24 John Jenkins releases available on Bandcamp and save 35%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Bury Myself in the Sand, The Reason, Christopher Roberts, Murphy's Bar, Shadows, Trying My Best (to get away from you), Who Took The Stars Out Of The Sky? by Sister Lee, Growing Old - Songs from my front porch, and 16 more.
1. |
Silhouettes
04:29
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Silhouettes
I’ve been away far too long
Something tells me I was wrong
When we said goodbye how was I to know
That this feeling inside would grow and grow
We’ll watch the sunrise once more
And I’ll take you in my arms just like before
Chorus - I can take all the love you have and more
Say the word – I’m at your door
Take my hand, take my hear, take it all
We’ll be as close as silhouettes upon a wall
I was foolish for so long
My friends would tell me I was wrong
But I’m back and you know
It’s for good – I won’t let you go
We’ll watch the sunrise once more
You can take me in your arms like before
Chorus
As close as Silhouettes upon a wall
The light that burns our love reflects it all
And it would be so nice
Simply paradise
Just watch me fall
Inst Chorus then Chorus
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2. |
Bitter Harvest
04:33
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Bitter Harvest
Driving under a cloud of Rain
The city street light shadows lead the way
Then they fade just like my memories
I left home about a year ago
No-one left to say “I told you so”
No-one around except me
Sure looks like a long highway stretching out before me
Looking like a hard hard rain threatening to pour
So many miles until my destination
And the gospel radio station says I’ve been here before
Am I the man I hoped I would be?
Am I where I thought life would take me?
Have I the confidence to follow it through?
This highway runs straight on through the night
This Bitter Harvest spell remains in sight
Such a waste of geography
Sure looking like a long highway stretching out before me
Looking like a hard rain threatening to pour
Should I get down on my knees and start praying?
Because everything I see
Is coloured by tainted memories
And I don’t want to be so far away from home
(John Jenkins)
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3. |
Quicksand
02:58
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Quicksand
He gets up each morning and he passes a sigh
Looks out the window and contemplates as his life passes by
There was always a reason why
Beautiful morning he hears himself say
Why wait until tomorrow to find yourself another kind of day
But it never works out that way
Why look for puddles when it’s pouring down with rain
Try touching rainbows when it’s obviously plain there’s no use
When you’re standing still you just don’t get to move
He never sees it coming
Only sees it go
The whole world slowly turning but it creeps upon him before he knows
Well that’s just the way it goes
Why chase your shadow when you’re caught in a hurricane
Try to shovel
When quicksand only remains
Why look for puddles when it’s pouring down with rain
Or try to shovel when quicksand only remains
Why take the trouble to put yourself through the pain
Show a little interest when it’s obviously plain
There’s no use
Standing still you just don’t get to move
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4. |
Grounded in the Mire
02:48
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Grounded in the Mire
I was kidnapped when I was 3
Sure made a man of me
Held in the evergreen’s
A long way from home
My daddy paid the ransom
But he thought he got the wrong son
Not quite the same one
As he had before
Chorus 1
And the wheels feel heavy
Grounded in the mire
And it takes a lot more than a spark to cause a fire
And the roads are rolling
The highways look so tired
And sometimes I wish I could just hide
Well I never was an honest man
That’s why I work for the government
On the payroll of Uncle Sam
Guess I’ve sold my sold
Instrumental verse –
Chorus 2
And the wheels feel heavy
Grounded in the mire
And it’ll take more than a few drinks to feel inspired
And the roads maybe rolling
But they’ve lost their desire
And sometimes I just wish I never even tried - Repeat Verse 1
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5. |
Follow Your Heart
02:32
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Follow Your Heart
And now I know that it was wrong for me to air uncertainties on your depart
And I agree that it could plainly be the best thing for you I see to make a start
If you should go – Follow your heart
There’s no better road to lead you from
There’s no better place to start
If you should go follow you heart –
There’s no better road to lead you from
There’s no better place to start
And how time goes and how we use to be so brave and so care free
look to the stars
And I can see how it was meant to be
Maybe I should have been more at ease as I was wrong
If you should go – Follow your heart
No better place to start to lead you from
No better better place to start
If you should go follow you heart –
There’s no better road to lead you from
There’s no better place to start
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6. |
The Unopened Letter
04:41
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The Unopened Letter
Another day is over and the waitress picks up her coat and she goes home
One more customer hitting on her - Why do they think that she’s alone?
Is it sadness in her eyes or the absence of a ring?
Or the way she holds herself that reveals everything
Chorus 1
Can you forgive me for all the things I never said?
If I could say I’m sorry would it make me feel less sad?
I can remember you said I was ice and you were snow
And I try to hold that moment and never let it go
Another day is over – Another day begins
There’s a letter she keeps in her purse
That she’s just never opened
Is it the fear of the truth or the thought she’s lived a lie
Does it really matter?
She asks herself when she’s alone
Chorus 2
Can you forgive me for all those things I never said?
If I could say I’m sorry would it make me feel less bad?
And I can remember your tears and what you had to say
“Life has meaning don’t live it just for one day”
She once feared that when she made that break
There’d be no turning back – No reason to hesitate
And now she lights a cigarette and sits on her porch waiting for the darkness to fall
Chorus 3 -Instrumental first two lines
And I can remember when you finally had to go
I gave you this letter to tell you I loved you so
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7. |
I Was Looking For You
02:50
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John Jenkins, Window Shopping in Nashville, Liverpool , singer-songwriter,
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8. |
Louise
03:38
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Louise
I first met Louise in Santa Fe
We drove long through the night until the break of day
Over the Stateline down through the west
Into the arms of a dream
She said “Listen you know I’m the best”
I knew she had the means
“You only have one life” she said
“So don’t be a fool. If it takes all night, I will take you there; I’ll teach you something you never learnt in school”
Louise, I was such a fool Louise
Louise, I was such a fool Louise
I first met Louise, I was seventeen
And now as I look back, I know it could never be
Out of the fire, into the pan, into the arms of a dream
Soon summer was over, and I had to leave
Life’s full of mysteries
Life’s full of rules
Time isn’t there just to kill
I should have known better
I should have seen the truth
Louise, I was such a fool Louise
Louise, I was such a fool Louise
Louise, I was such a fool Louise
Louise, I was such a fool Louise
I was such a fool
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9. |
Laugh Away The Tears
02:49
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Laugh away the Tears
Well I’ve got this funny feeling in my fingers
And I’ve got this funny feeling in my toes
She rang me up to tell ne she was leaving town
When I asked her why she said “It’s just the way it goes”
Well I was never one to question her decisions
She was always right and I was always wrong
But I was curious to know what make her take to the road
She said “what doesn’t kill us only make us strong”
Chorus 1
Well I’ve know her for so many years
We’d laugh away the tears as the years rolled by
She’s been my friend since I don’t know when
And I never thought we’d say goodbye
Well its quiet here down in Nashville city
The stars are out and the shuitters are coming down
And I was thinking about my friend and where she may be now
And where she is I know she’ll be laughing loud
Chorus 2
Well I’ve known her for so many years
We’ve downed a million beers or maybe more
She’s been my friend since I don’t know when
And we’ll be friends for ever more
Instrumental Verse and then Repeat Chorus 1
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10. |
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Too much drinking on a Sunday
Monday
• whoa I can’t believe I’ve had an hours sleep and I’ve been up all night
Does your head hurt?
• Oh I shouldn’t have had that last one or those last 5 pints
How’s your memory
• Well I can remember my name
• Well I think I can but I’m not so sure
Who was that girl?
• I think it was Kate
• Or possibly Gill
• I just know it wasn’t Paul
Chorus 1
I guess it was just meant to be
Serves me right – too much drinking on a Sunday
Tuesday
• oh I just can’t get her off that telephone
Did you give her your address?
• I think I did but I’ve got my mum to say I’m not at home
Chorus 2
I guess it was just meant to be
I guess I should have stopped drinking on Saturday
Instrumental
Well I know what you people out there must be thinking
That I should have more self-control of my drinking
Chorus 1 repeat
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11. |
Louise - Reprise
00:47
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12. |
River East River West
04:30
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River East River West
Ethan Jones once shot a man for stealing cattle on his land
It brought a whole lot of trouble to his door
Helen Amy was his wife, they prayed by candlelight
But the good Lord deserted them both
Bridge
Weren’t you the one that stopped me crying?
Weren’t you the one who let me go?
Was I the one in denial?
And the one to say let it go? So I let it go
Chorus 1
And I swear I saw you crying
And I swear I saw your pain
By the banks of the river I saw you dying
Blood on my hands in the rain
River East River West
Ethan rode the trail he thought was best
Revenge though the Nixon brothers was the answer
Took the law into their hands
Texas rangers had other plans but they got there far too late to save them
BRIDGE / Chorus 1 repeat plus …
And I swear I begged for mercy
And I swear I took the blame
By the banks of the river I left you dying
Blood on my hands in the rain
Instrumental verse – Bridge – Chorus 1 Repeat
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13. |
A House of Cards
03:33
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A House of Cards
“Hold me tight don’t let me go, Is there something I should know?”
Parents whisper in the dark
Of a betrayal of the heart
“Mummy why are you so sad? did you fall gain, why is Daddy mad?”
The shouting gets louder, he blocks the pain
Drowns it with the rhythm of the rain
He closes his eyes too young to know
Of events that unfold
A house of cards shortly to fall
So much sadness for one so small
“Don’t hold me tight, please let me go
Is this something Mummy should know?”
A father’s love should hold no bounds
Except a love built on quicksand
She closes her eyes wishing he would go
“Our little secret no-one will know”
A house of cards shortly to fall
So much sadness for one so small
“Hold me tight don’t let me go, Hold me tight don’t let me go”
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14. |
Miss Red Shoes
03:15
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Miss Red Shoes
I’ve got so many things to tell you, so many things I want to say
So many things that I don’t know, But I think about you every day
Chorus
Need to know what you’re feeling
Do you know I exist?
And sometimes baby
All I need I just a kiss
You’ve got legs that go on forever, always wearing something new
And I don’t even know your name baby, I just call you my “Miss Red Shoes”
Chorus 2
Add “Can you resist”
M8 –
Miss Red Shoes – what are you doing to me?
Miss Red Shoes – you’re my Miss Fantasy
Verse & Chorus Instrumental break
Started church going on a Sunday, to confess my obsessional way
The priest said “it’s the same for me sonny, I pray for myself everyday
As I need to know what she’s thinking? If she knows that I exist
And sometimes baby, All I need is just a kiss - I can’t resist”
Outro – Miss Red Shoes
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15. |
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So Far Away
Looking for a life of luxury in a town filled with poverty
Employment next to none
I was told boy get a trade
There’ll be jobs for you highly paid
But of course there where none
Chorus
And it’s so far away
Some things just don’t ever change
So far away from home
And each road that we choose
They belong to me or you
And it’s so far away
My brother who trained in accountancy
Has a job in the local factory
He’s been there for about 10 years
At night we talk about our dreams
Over silent pictures from our TV screens
One day those dreams will fade away
Chorus 2
And it’s so far away
Some folk’s lives won’t ever change
So far away from home
And each road that we choose
Has been cornered off or been misused
And it’s so far away
Instrumental then Repeat Chorus 1
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16. |
One Fine Day
04:07
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One Fine Day
One fine day I’m going to make it up to you
Return your records give you back your books
And one day it’s going to mean more than this
Seal your fate with a kiss
And when that curtain falls
Will you comfort me with sweet applause?
Windswept and overawed
Will you rescue me if I fell overboard?
One fine day I’m going to make front page news
Don’t you hold me back – I’ve got nothing to lose
And come what may I’m going to be hard to resist
Number one on your list
And at that curtain call
Would you hold my hand if I should stumble or fall?
Springtime winter or fall
Would you answer me if I should call?
You know it never should have been like this
Oh it really should had been like this
Instrumental
And when that curtain falls
Will you comfort me with sweet applause?
Springtime winter or fall
Would you hold my hand if I should call?
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17. |
Don't Make Me Stay
04:13
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Don’t make me Stay
My wife complains of my addiction
The lost weekend starts on Monday night
And when it’s ventured past resistance
I see this world through different eyes
My drinking she finds it hard to swallow
I ring her up to say I’ll soon be home
Don’t make me stay
Don’t make me stay
Although it’s late
One more but don’t make me stay
Pressures of family and business
One more should take them off my mind
Evening meal burnt my drink is finished
Is that really the time?
One more to drown my sorrows
Another one for the road
Don’t make me stay
Don’t make me stay
Although it’s late
One more but don’t make me stay
These evenings won’t last for ever
To myself I tell these lies
I should be home, I know its better
But when you’re down in desperation you need a cure
Don’t make me stay
Don’t make me stay
Although it’s late
One more but don’t make me stay
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18. |
Same Thing Every Night
03:30
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(It’s the) Same thing Everynight
She told me she’d be home late so don’t bother waiting
That’s the second time this week I do declare
And I'm sitting here alone contemplating
Is she with somebody else or does she really care?
Chorus
Well it’s the same thing everynight
She’ll turn out that bedroom light
And I’m lying in the dark without a clue
It’s the same thing everyday
She’ll just look my way
To remind when the foot was in the other shoe
Well I’m not the kind of guy who shows emotions
But it’s getting to me week after week
Should I make my feelings known or just ignore her
Because I know just what she’ll say should she speak
Chorus
Instrumental verse
Chorus
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19. |
Red Dust Road
02:47
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Red Dust Road
I’ve got nothing to say
But I think about it everyday
A secret I keep all alone
And carry with me down Red Dust Road
Years ago my family settled in this town
Grandfather was a blacksmith who served for miles around
He met my mama at the local dance I’ve been told
And they made a home for themselves in Red Dust Road
Chorus 1
And I think about them everyday
It’s one more thing that adds to my load
And if I could blame someone else – I would
Maybe one day I can go home
Instrumental verse - Chorus 2
Well it’s getting late and I’m feeling old
It’s no fun when you’re alone
And if I could blame someone else – I would
Maybe one day I can go home to Red Dust Road
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20. |
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It hurts too much (when I’m with you)
Well it hurts too much when I’m with you
I get troubled by the little things you do
I feel lost and lonely
But you know I want you only
But you know it hurts too much when I’m with you
Well it hurts too much when I’m alone
I just can’t stand being on my own
You’re a big part of me
And I’m sure that you can see
That it hurts too much when I’m alone
We’ve got to hit back and find that feeling that we once had before
We got to get some kind of reason into our lives like before
There must be one hundred million reasons why we just can’t stop
There must be one good reason why we don’t give up
You know it hurts too much when I’m with you
I get so frustrated with the things you do
And I’m so lost and lonely
But you know I love you only
But it hurts too much when I’m with you
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21. |
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A NIGHT ON THE TOWN
Always known I’ve had a problem, to me it seemed so clear
That I’ve always lacked the confidence of one who’s suave and fearless
I pushed my way through the crowded room, my drink lies spilt across the floor
And my seat at the bar is taken, by a girl I’ve never seen before
When she turned to me I could have swore that she smiled
My desire could not be disguised
This girl endowed with such style
I could have sworn that she smiled
Was it just my imagination – alcoholic deception?
Should I try to say hello, should I make clear my intentions
It occurred to me, something’s just won’t ever change
If I spoke would she just turn away?
Would she even remember my name?
Instrumental
And I came to me, my luck won’t ever change
Like the walks home from town in the rain
Like that last bus that just never came
All these nights on the town are all the same
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John Jenkins Liverpool, UK
John Jenkins is carving out a path for himself as a renowned singer/songwriter on the UK folk, country, and Americana scene. Jenkins is a master of melody, understated lyrics, and deft chord changes, while his songs have been hailed wherever music is written about. ... more
John Jenkins recommends:
If You Can't Forgive You Can't Love
by John Jenkins Music
Because i'm on it
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