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James Christensen

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52 Songs Project

In the beginning of 2009, I decided to write 52 songs in a year. It wasn't always easy, but in the end I finished (with a full day to spare!). In 2010, I'm writing 52 songs again. This page has a list of the songs, and once recorded, MP3s you can download, listen to and share with your friends (or enemies). Please send criticism, praise, complaints, ideas, stories, co-writing requests, fan mail, threats, rants and other communications to james at jamesmusic.net. If you are having trouble playing songs using Firefox, try upgrading to the latest version or using Safari or Internet Explorer.

This year, two other hearty, self-desdtructive souls have decided they also want to write 52 songs.

52 Songs Project: 2010
48. Blood Play Download
49. Standing Next to You Play Download
Standing Next to You
Standing Next to You

Isn't this all just the same
I'm hungry for something new
But we're right back here again
Like we're stuck in a groove
I can't believe I'm standing next to you

If I thought you'd had a change
If your feelings grew
It would cut against your grain
And what would it proove
I can't believe I'm standing next to you

The aching builds and wanes
Like a bad case of the flu
And I'm moaning like I'm in pain
From a love I can't undo
I can't believe I'm standing next to you

And I don't need to say a word
You know everything I want to say
Everything I need to say
About all the ways I'm stuck on you

I'll flutter round your flame
The heat makes it true
In your orbit I will remain
Til for fire burns me through
I can't believe I'm standing next to you

My heart and my brain
Run with their own crew
And on a different plane
My heads already on the move
My heart is still standing next to you

And I don't need to say a word
You know everything I want to say
Everything I need to say
About all the ways I'm stuck on you
Lyrics
50. untitled
51. Myself Play Download
Myself
Myself

Take it with a grain of salt
But there was more involved
Than a simple lie
And I know, cuz I tried

It was my mistake
But my heart wasn't faked
Please don't underrate
How hard I tried

Didn't know how to be myself
Didn't wanna be anyone else
Didn't wanna lie
Alo o o o ne

She took to the big and small
Her back seat and the mall
And I'm confused is all
Why do I never know?

Is it just a guessing game
To see who I am
Can it do any harm
To just be me?

Didn't know how to be myself
Didn't wanna be anyone else
Don't wanna live and die
Alo o o o ne
Didn't know how to be myself
Didn't wanna be anyone else
Don't wanna live and die
Alo o o o ne
Lyrics
52. I've Got Fifty Two Songs to Write (for crying out loud) Play Download
I've Got Fifty Two Songs to Write (for crying out loud)
I've Got Fifty Two Songs to Write (for crying out loud)

Baby take the trash to the curb
Baby do the dishes, too
Baby take the shopping list with you
On your way to the store

Honey don't forget to TiVo Colbert
Honey please check the mail
Honey let's go out for dinner
Come on, honey let's go!

I've got fifty two songs to write
For crying out loud
I've got fifty two songs to write
I need some time for this
I've got fifty two songs to write
Honey give me a kiss for
Inspiration

A thousand things in the back of my mind
A thousand years to get it all done
A dozen lives I'd need now
But I've only got the one

And I don't need to be reminded
Of all the things I'm trying to ignore
This whole thing is stressing me out
That's not what songwriting's for

I've got fifty two songs to write
For crying out loud
For crying out loud
I need some time for this
I've got fifty two songs to write
Honey give me a kiss for
Inspiration
Lyrics
I've Got Fifty Two Songs to Write (for crying out loud)
Credits
Title suggested by James Taintor
Info
52 Songs Project: 2009
1. Victory Lap Play Download
2. The Glorious Days of Lighter than Air Travel Play Download
3. Goodbye Beer Play Download
4. Live Forever Play Download
5. Murder of Crows Play Download
6. Merry Christmas (If I Get What I Want) Play Download
7. Something for Nothing Play Download
8. Close Play Download
9. Wanted Girl Play Download
10. For Now Play Download
11. Blue Song (for Jeremy) Play Download
12. Will You Be Mine Play Download
13. Not Your Girl Anymore Play Download
14. Playing with the Boy Who Loves You Play Download
Playing with the Boy Who Loves You
Notes
Thanks to Leah Forrest for input and encouragement during the writing of this song.
Info
15. I Quit Play Download
16. Speed of Man Play Download
17. Kevin Crowley Play Download
18. Wednesday Girl Play Download
19. You Don't Come Out Anymore Play Download
20. If You See Kay Play Download
21. She'll Be Drunk (You'll Be Happy) Play Download
22. Burning a Hole Play Download
23. Sugar Play Download
24. Believe Play Download
25. Perfect Light Play Download
26. Bigger Play Download
27. Halfway There Play Download
28. Solstice Play Download
29. Idiot Play Download
Idiot
Credits
Melissa Misicka on backing vocals
Info
30. Weary Play Download
31. I Had a Good Time at the Apocalypse Play Download
32. Jesus of the Tall Grass Play Download
33. I Guess This Is Hello Play Download
I Guess This Is Hello
Credits
Ooos and aaaas by Melissa Misicka
Info
34. Lock the Door, Roger Play Download
Lock the Door, Roger
Credits
Vocals by Kay McKinstry and lead guitar by Jeremy Parker
Info
35. I Don't Have to Tell You (but I will) Play Download
36. Happy Birthday Old Man Play Download
37. Sooner or Later Play Download
Sooner or Later
You may feel pretty in the limelight
Like a superstar on a highlight
Keep that feeling locked up inside
Keep it precious--it's sure to die

If they tell you to act your age
Don't they know everybody plays
Some like cars or poker games
I'll take any heart that comes my way

It may be wonderful
At least for a little while
But I will let you down
Either sooner or later

I can be as giddy as the next guy
Lay in the grass under blue sky
But at dusk I will wonder why
I let so many others pass by

So I'll dream of someone new
Even while I'm holding onto you
I'll take a breath and break away
And it'll be very, very easy to do

It may be wonderful
At least for a little while
But I will let you down
Either sooner or later
Lyrics
38. Sorry About the Mess (I made of me) Play Download
39. No One's Watching Play Download
No One's Watching
Don't worry
No one's watching
There'll all watching the TV
Don't pull away now
Just keep on kissing
I'll keep my hands where they can't be seen
We are alone now
The crowd's just white noise
Buzzing like a hive of bees

Put your busy
Mind on standby
I'm right here and I am real
There'll be no gossip
There are no gadflies
Just do what you feel

No one's watching
The games gone overtime
And these shadows are deep
It's a late night bar crowd
Too drunk and too loud
For any whispers to repeat
I think I've found it
That magic place where
Your neck and my kisses meet

Put your busy
Mind on standby
I'm right here and I am real
There'll be no gossip
There are no gadflies
Just do what you feel

No one's watching
No one watching
No one's watching you and me
No one's watching
No one's watching
No one's watching you and me

Put your busy
Mind on standby
I'm right here and I am real
There'll be no gossip
There are no gadflies
Just do what you feel
Lyrics
40. Red Hair and Dark Liqour Play Download
Red Hair and Dark Liqour
She put her finger on me gently
On the side of my neck
Pushed in and and tore my throat out
And I awoke in a sweat
Red is the color that I dream in
Shades of rose and crimson hues
Hers was the heart I believed in
I was wrong about that too

It was her red hair that caught me
I was no better than a slave
She fancied herself an angel
And a soul to be saved
She showed me she loved me
She tried to teach me to love pain
Hers was the heart I believed in
I won't be wrong again

She's fine when she is sober
So many tales start that way
But when she drinks dark liquor
Heaven help those she hates
And heaven help her lovers
If they say the wrong thing
The red hair took her over
God help me if I believe again
Lyrics
41. I've Got Nothing in Common with My Common Law Wife Play Download
I've Got Nothing in Common with My Common Law Wife
Credits
Jamie O'Connell on lap steel guitar
Info
42. I Feel So Old (Lara's Song) Play Download
I Feel So Old (Lara's Song)
I got no feel for time
I know it keeps going
But sometimes it seems
It moves faster than the speed of my dreams
It starts then stops whatever it deems
To be over and done with
I know that I the will of time

Who are these babies in the bars
Who are these children driving cars
And why won't they do what they are told
Why don't they do as they're told
I feel so old

I remember every line
On my face and they are growing
They show the places I've been
All these kids faces are so clean
They don't tell me anything
Just out there having fun
Just out there killing time

Who are these babies in the bars
Who are these children driving cars
And why won't they do what they are told
Do as you're told
I feel so old
Lyrics
43. Understand (you don't) Play Download
44. Not Just Any Heart Play Download
45. Are You Listening (Austin)? Play Download
46. Can't Get That Girl Play Download
47. The Nicest Guy Play Download
48. Why Should I Care Play Download
49. The Girl Who Loved Me Play Download
50. In the Hands of God Play Download
51. Forget the Sun Play Download
52. Short Stack Play Download
Jeremy Parker's 52 Songs Project
Mike Stand's 52 Songs Project
Featured Album
Don't Say Blue
Not Just Any Songs Will Do
All words and music are copyright James Christensen and Rolling Tongue Records unless noted otherwise.
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