Maybe They're On to Us - Needtobreathe

I feel their eyes all over me

It’s lookin' like conspiracy

I'm out of friends that I can trust

Maybe they’re on to us

My heart is filled with suspicion

I've got a fearful condition

Its more than just paranoia

Maybe they’re on to us

Maybe they’re on to us

You're not the only one

To sleep through the firing squad

To scream through the night at God

Wake in a pouring sweat you hear the sound

Can't even turn around

Hand reaching from the ground

Who's gonna save us

Who's gonna save us now

I’m looking up in the rear view

Crowds that I can't seem to push through

Strangers and operations

Maybe they’re on to us

My hands are shakin' like a leaf

Can't even see in front of me

I know its just paranoia

Maybe they’re on to us

Maybe they’re on to us

You're not the only one

To sleep through the firing squad

To scream through the night at God

Wake in a pouring sweat you hear the sound

Can't even turn around

Hand reaching from the ground

Who's gonna save us

Who's gonna save us now

Who's gonna save us now

I’m not the only one

The fear is like a flood

It’s movin' on me now

The screams they catch us

The screams they catch us

The fear is like a flood

It’s movin' on me now

The screams they catch us

Who’s gonna save us now

You're not the only one

To sleep through the firing squad

To scream through the night at God

Wake in a pouring sweat you hear the sound

Can't even turn around

Hand reaching from the ground

Who's gonna save us

Who's gonna save us now

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This song was written about their fear that people would find the personal lives in the band hypocritical against the overall message. But haven't we each been, something opposed to our own beliefs and morals...identities and sacraments? This has been a favorite band of mine for a long time. I find them honest, and even if their lives don't parallel every word...they are trying. Aren't we all?

Indiana/ Human - Jon McLaughlin

♫I'm glad I never lived next to the water
So I could never get used to the beach
And I'm glad I never grew up on a mountain
To figure out how high the world could reach
I love the miles between me and the city
Where I quietly imagine every street
And I'm glad I'm only picturing the moment
I'm glad she never fell in love with me

For some the world's a treasure to discover
And your scenery should never stay the same
And they're trading in their dreams for Explanations
All in an attempt to entertain
But I love the miles between me and the city
Where I quietly imagine every street
And I'm glad I'm only picturing the moment
I'm glad she never fell in love with me

The trick of love is to never let it find you
It's easy to get over missing out
I know the how's and when's, but now and then,
She's all I think about

I wonder how it feels to be famous
But wonder is as far as I will go
Because I'd probably lose myself in all the Pictures
And end up being someone I don't know.
So it's probably best I stay in Indiana
Just dreaming of the world as it should be
Where every day is a battle to convince myself
I'm glad she never fell in love with me♫

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I've posted a couple of McLaughlins songs before (he's a favorite!) A pianist and songwriter since childhood, influenced by Billy Joel, Elton John and Ben Folds, Jon's passion was sidelined when both wrists were shattered in an accident. He finally rediscovered his muse at the end of high school, and concentrated on honing his skills at Anderson University School of Music. His self-titled 10-song debut album was released in 2004, on the university's record label, Orangehaus – and Jon has been touring throughout the country ever since. Take the time to watch "Human" below. This guy really moves me.

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♫Can you tell me how we got in this situation
I can't seem to get you off my mind
All these ups and downs they
They trip up our good intentions
Nobody said this was an easy ride

After all, we're only human
Always fighting what we're feeling
Hurt instead of healing
After all we're only human
Is there any other reason
Why we stay instead of leaving
After all

Can we get back to the point in this conversation
Where we saw things through each other's eyes
Cause now all I see is ruin and devastation
We all need some place we can hide inside

After all, we're only human
Always fighting what we're feeling
Hurt instead of healing
After all we're only human
Is there any other reason
Why we stay instead of leaving

I'm smart enough to know that life goes by
And it leaves a trail of broken hearts behind
If you feel I'm letting go, just give me time
I'll come running to your side
Can you tell me how we got into this situation
I can't seem to get you off my mind

After all, we're only human
Always fighting what we're feeling
Hurt instead of healing
After all we're only human
Is there any other human♫

What If / Annie - Safetysuit

♫What if it makes you sad at me and what if it makes you laugh now but you cry as you fall asleep
And what if it takes your breathe and you can't hardly breathe
And what if it makes the last sound be the very best sound

What if what I want makes you sad at me
And is it all my fault or can I fix it please
Cause you know that I'm always all for you
Cause you know that I'm always all for you

What if it makes you lose faith in me, what if makes you question every moment you cannot see
And what if it makes you crash and you can't find the key
What if it makes you ask how you could let it all go

What if what I want makes you sad at me
And is it all my fault or can I fix it please
Cause you know that I'm always all for you
Cause you know that I'm always all for you

And if this be our last conversation
If this be the last time that we speak for awhile
Don't lose hope and don't let go
Cause you should know

If it makes you sad
If it makes you sad at me
Then it's all my fault and let me fix it please
Cause you know that I'm always all for you
Cause you know that I'm always all for you

What if what I want makes you sad at me
And if it's all my fault then let me fix it please
Cause you know that I'm always all for you
Cause you know that I'm always all for you♫


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I fell in love with this band last year after hearing the song "Annie". Their lyrics hit me in very tender places, and that voice has enough raw emotion that my own angst is played out and each song feels like a damn good cry. In 2010, the band went back into the studio to begin work on their second album (excitement - tingle!)with producers Howard Benson and Espionage. Their first attempt at recording new material was scrapped in late 2010, as the band did not feel the songs lived up to their standards and started over. On March 21, 2011 the band announced on Facebook that the first single off the new record would be titled "Get Around This," (in hind sight, should have been "Get Around TO This" heh heh) produced by Espionage, and available for download on April 26. After repeated pushbacks, SafetySuit announced that their label had pushed the album release date back once again, this time to January 2012! It will be well worth the effort if the album lives up to anywhere near the first.


Drum roll please....My favorite, for your viewing and listening pleasure. This video is a highschool project about a girl named Anne, though the Safetysuit song "Annie" was used. I love it because it closely personifies me in highschool.

The Mountains Win Again - Blues Traveler

♫I put my smile put it in my pocket
Hold it for a while try not to have to drop it
Men are not to cry so how am I to stop it
Keep it all inside don't show how much she rocked ya

Ooh can you feel the same
Ooh you gotta love the pain
Ooh it looks like rain again
Ooh I feel it comin' in
The mountains win again
The mountains win again

Dreams we dreamed at night were never meant to come to life
I can't understand the ease she pulled away her hand
This time in my life I was hurt enough to care
I guess from now on I'll be careful what I share

Ooh can you feel the same
Ooh ya gotta love the pain
Ooh it looks like rain again
Yeah feel it comin' in
The mountains win again

A pocket is no place for a smile anyway
Someday I will find love again will blow my mind
Maybe it will be that love that got away from me
Is there a line to write that could make you cry tonight
Can you feel the same
Yeah ya gotta love the pain
Ooh it looks like rain again
Ooh feel it comin' in
The mountains win again
Ooh the mountains win again ♫


The economy is getting me down today. Seems like a mountain, and sure as hell seems likes it's winning. The strip malls are ghost towns. The streets are filled with more people wandering than working. It's a strange world right now, and I don't live on the fringe of it. I'm smack dab in the middle. Downtown Stockton.

LA TIMES - "California seems to be getting really good these days at making it to the top of "Worst Of" lists. This time, eight of the state's cities topped a Forbes list of the most miserable cities in the country. Stockton, that crown jewel of the San Joaquin Valley, is officially the most miserable city in the nation, according to Forbes."

I know, I'll get a lot of crap for crapping on my town, and I do know it's all what you make of it. But my point is, I SEE effect, more than some who live in more rural areas, or more affluent areas. You can feel the pain from here. The mountain wins again today, but maybe not tomorrow.

A Case of You - Diana Krall, Live in Paris

This song makes me deliciously lonely. I was sure I posted this song before, but I can't find it, so I'm reposting for myself :) I have a key and a security code (shhhhh) to one of my employers buildings with high ceilings and marble floors. I bring my JBL speaker and play this song as loud as the speakers allow when it is dark and the world still sleeps. Not a single note is missed. It is overcast today. There should be a fire, and a bottle of zinfandel...almost empty. A piano. A singer. And little else.

Thank you again Jonas, for introducing me to it.
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Justin Nozuka - Be Back Soon

I can't get enough of JN's music and it looks like I won't have to wait much longer for a meal. This just in on Facebook:

Justin and the band got together to record some new material at Coalition Studios! If you've been waiting for some new songs, keep your eyes open, they're coming soon!

Be Back Soon is probably my favorite Nozuka song, followed by his rendition of "Ain't No Sunshine", both of which I have listened to so often that a groove would have formed had I still been listening to vinyl. The tape would have stretched! The CD would be scratched. Ha! You get the picture. I love this guy. Thank you Lord, for my iPod(s)!

Nozuka, now 23 years old, was born to a Japanese father and an American mother of English ancestry. His mother's half-sister is actress Kyra Sedgwick.

He began writing his own songs at age 12. The earliest of his songs on his first album, Holly (named for his mother), "Supposed to Grow Old" and "I'm in Peace," were written when he was 15! Universal wanted Justin to sign with their label. However, he decided he wanted to "record an album on (his) own, with (his) own freedom". Although he is not nearly as well known as I think he should be, I believe he made the right choice. Holly is an exceptional album.

Scratch - Kendall Payne

Kendall Payne grew up in Los Angeles, CA. She is now 31 years old. She is deep and wise. When the singer writes the song, there is an element that is lacking in songs sung by an artist who did not live the lyrics. There just is...almost a hypocritical thing. That's stretching, but the exact feeling escapes me. Many of her songs have been themes in movies and television series, perhaps for their believability, if not their beauty.

“I once had a great philosophy teacher who told me, ‘If an eagle only has one strong wing it won’t be able to fly very high. It will need to strengthen its weaker wing in order to reach new heights.’ Now I appreciate the uphill road I’ve had to climb because it’s made me develop the sides of my personality that weren’t so strong. I am a better person because of it; how could I be anything but grateful?” - Kendall Payne

"Every great songwriter needs fuel for their fire," she says, "and there is no greater fuel than the ache of rejection. I just never bargained for how hot the flame could get." Shortly after leaving Capitol, she also parted ways with her management company and Christian label counterpart. Once the darling of the industry and now alone in the music business, she recounts, "I found myself standing in my living room, ironing something while in my pajamas, wishing the phone would ring. It was quite humbling, I must say. I had made and found my identity in being an artist. If I wasn't that anymore... I didn't know who I was."

And so began a season of soul-searching. Payne remembers, "It was a very dark place for me, but in retrospect I would not trade it for all the success in the world."




♫It's a big girl world now
Full of big girl things
And everyday I wish I was small
I've been counting on nothing
But he keeps giving me his word
And I am tired of hearing myself speak
Do you ever get weary?
Do you ever get weak?
How do you dream
When you can't fall asleep?

I've been wondering what you're thinking
And if you like my dress tonight?
Would you still say you love me
Under this ordinary moonlight?
I'm so afraid of what you'll say.

I'd like to know if you'd be open
To starting over from scratch
I'd like to know if you'd be open
To giving me a second chance

I used to think I was special
And only I have proved me wrong
I thought I could change
The world with a song
But I have ended up in India
With no lamp to guide me home.
The strangest place I think
I have ever been
And all this time
I thought that we were friends
My stubborn will is learning to bend.♫
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