SIDEWALKS (FEAT. ALLISON GREY) (2012)

Lead single from my upcoming as yet untitled album.   Written and recorded by Jay Brymer and Allison Grey.

 

i knew it was hope that kept me alive

i never knew cold like i did that night

untangling and coming down and seeing my whole life

trying to be someone real is the hardest thing sometimes

and they asked me if i knew jesus?

And i remember walking these sidewalks back

before things changed and man, they changed so fast

these same stones that made my legs so strong

are the same sidewalks i was sleeping on...

my eyes have seen things they should never have

and my body's been abused, broken, and smashed

and i learned just like you to just look away

but i wonder on my knees as i try to pray

do any of us know jesus?

(chorus)

all of these women, kids, men

blowing in the wind...

and we gonna live! We gonna find our way!

And we gonna rise! We gonnna fly away!

And we gonna live! We gonna find our way!

And we gonna rise! We gonna fly away!

And i remember walking these sidewalks back

before things changed and man

they change so fast...

these same stones that'll make your legs so strong

are the same sidewalks you could be sleeping on...

(656,000....)

END (C) ARRFBC December 16, 2012 

 

SWAGKILLA (2012)

First proper single from "Spin."

(includes orginal lyrics to song.   in the recorded versions the chorus simply repeats.)

Lookin at the sunrise

(Coffee here in my hand)

Why’s it take so long to realize

(We never understand)

Always so scared of forever

(gonna kill my swag, don’t you know)

What we could do together

(It’s so much more than you know)

Gonna light everything that we had on fire

Watch as the flames go higher and higher!

Say goodbye if you can’t say nothing else

Can’t just think of yourself!

It is oh so quiet

(where I said goodbye)

Inside of me a riot

(you will never see me cry)

Now I’m fumbling just like a fool

(you killed my swag, oh you know)

I’ll get up and break more rules

(I think it’s time to go…)

Ima light everything we had on fire

Dance around as the flames go up higher and higher!

Say goodbye, coz you can’t manage much of nothing else

You only think of yourself!

Coming back to me

(you gone and killed my swag don’t you know)

Coming back to me

(you killed my swag, yes, you know…)

Coming back, coming back…

It’s all coming back

Gonna light everything that we had on fire

Listen as your voice goes up higher and higher!

Blah blah blah blah, I’ve been where you are, myself

We all learn for ourselves…

Cannot stop me now, no

Cannot stop me now…

Gonna get my swag back

It’s all coming now…

END © ARRFBC July 6, 2012

STARING AT GHOSTS (2012)

4th and i believe, final, proper release from "Staring At Ghosts, Living With Trees."

I opened the door to the house and I stepped on the street
Waking again from the longest of all of my dreams
I don't know where you went and honestly I want to follow
It's funny like sad you were such a part and now I feel hollow...

So where do I go and how do I run?
I'm looking for answers but there are just none
Or maybe it's just that you swallow and keep up the pace
And pray that the whole world can't see it all over your face...

Truth is I've had so much love in my life I am luckier than most
No, I was not looking I was too busy staring at ghosts...
And I can't tell you how easy it is to let someone like you go
you keep on apologizing but I told you I'm staring at ghosts...

I reach back through time and I am there with you tonight
Past midnight in a highway truck stop drinking coffee and we might
Figure out the answer to life but then you do something cute
And we're both distracted and I'm writing poems and falling into you

And somehow I'm spit back out onto the streets of my Californian town
Taking a downtown train back home to where I'm living now
And my roommate is putting up pictures of us on the wall
And I wish my mama could see them, but nobody can have it all

Truth is I've had so much love in my life I am luckier than most
No, I wasn't looking I was too busy staring at ghosts...
And I can't tell you how easy it is to let someone like you go
you keep on apologizing but I told you I'm staring at ghosts...

and I'm not ready at all to call it a night
my last cigarette and do you think that you have a light?
It's not much to ask just no more darkness please
It doesn't make you pretty drawing hearts in the dirt on your knees...

Open your eyes and look around and you'll see
You're not living with ghosts anymore, you are living with trees
You are living with trees
Living with trees
Living with trees
Living with trees
 Staring at ghosts, living with trees...

END © ARRFBC 2012

"THE PROCESS" (2012)

3rd Proper Release from "Staring At Ghosts, Living With Trees."

we were talkin – you started laughing

i had been underground, life was just passing…

the vodka was flowing – i started thinking…

you were watching – the lights were blinking….

you called it a process – i called it too much

what’s wrong with someone – they can just give up…

you said i’ll be fine – you said stay tonight…

even inside the tunnel – there is still light…

embrace the process… be safe in my arms tonight

begin the process… i swear you will be alright…

journey into the wild and unknown!

i don’t know you too well, but why be alone…

it’s only a process…

It’s only a process…

It’s only a process…

you can enjoy the process…

you were dancing – i was singing…

you took my hand – and that’s when it begins…

dreams and a dance floor – wind and a full moon

everyone fades and you and i own the room…

i said i’m unwell – you said i’m just fine.

i said i’m crazy – you said give it time…

you kissed my mouth – i fell into you

i am exausted – it’s a process i’m goin through…

(chorus)

love can make broken lives…  for everyone to see…

i said i’m hurting – you said hurt with me…

(chorus)

It’s only a process

It’s only a process

It’s only a process

You can enjoy the process…

(only a process…)
END © 2012 (Written by J. Brymer)

"HAPPY HERE" (2012)

Second single from "Staring At Ghosts, Living With Trees"

Windows down

California flying by

You’re driving

Singing time after some time

I am so at peace

I am close to tears

And I want to say that I am happy here…

So I find a friend

My cat, my dog

And someone I love

Who I don’t think that I lost…

I am a place of my own

With a path to comfort near

And I need to say that I am happy here…

The sun rise

I’ve seen it so many times

One of these days

I’m gonna get it right

But for now I’ll take a midtown bar and beer

And I wont hesitate to tell you that I am happy here…

I am happy here

I am so happy here

and Nothing’s been fixed,

nothing’s been resolved

Nothing is right,

Nothing at all

But here we are heads back

in a laughing fit

In the middle of

all of this

And the only reason we are happy here

Is we have been so sad

so many years

Sad too many years…

Sad too many years…

Windows down

California flying by…

You’re driving

Singing, “time after some time…”

I am happy here.

I’m so happy here. END (c) 2012 ARRFBC

"SIMON SEZ" (2012)

Lead single from "Staring At Ghosts, Living With Trees."

Simon says… he saw some guy

With you by the Wurlitzer at the all night dive…

Dropped a quarter and it started to play

It spun you out and you ran away

You can’t play…

Maybe you will someday…

Simon says… you lost your mind

Sinking in the drama of your own lost time...

Like the best has all flown by

And you’d get up but you don’t know why

It’s a lie…

Just make the best of your time…

Don’t look at me when your dreams are dead

You should have listened to what simon said…

you shoulda listened to what simon said...

simon sez

simon sez

simon sez!

Simon says, take a chance

You say that you’re bored but you just won’t dance

Red light, red light, now know…

Back is the way you can’t go

You don’t know…

But the pain is about to get old…

Yeah, the pain is about to get old…

Don’t look at me with your dreams all dead

You should have listened to what simon said…

You shoulda listened to what simon said...

Simon sez

simon sez...

simon sez!

Simon says… take off your coat

The jukebox played only songs we know...

Hang it up by the door

Get your ass out there on the floor

And do more

Then what you came here for…

Don’t tell me the party was dead

You should have listend to what simon said…

Don't tell me the party was dead

you should have listened to what simon said

you shoulda listened to what simon said

you shoulda listened to what simon said...

simon sez...

Simon sez...

simon sez...

you shoulda listened to what simon said.

END © 2012 ARRFBC

"GREATEST" (2012)

Single release from "UCV2."

Oh, close your eyes – no need to see

Ripples in the waters of belief…

Don’t run too fast – stay with me

Let’s hold hands and fly and we’ll be free…

This is the greatest day I’ve had!

Damn sorrow and pain, they cannot make us sad

We will find the sun!

We will dance like today was our last one

And the greatest gift of all

The greatest part of us

The greatest power of all is love

Kiss her one last time – say goodbye

After a long walk on earth – she can fly

Don’t give up now – come to me

She always wanted you to be happy

(chorus)

Lost for so long

All this god damned time

And now it’s all clear

And now I find…

(Chorus)
END © ARRFBC 2012

"STARS" (2012)

5th Proper release from "Silence." 

(J. Haralson/S. Velasquez)

Everything we lost

In the fire

Everything we tried to keep

Everything that slipped

Through our hands

While we were asleep

It’s all stars now

And everything’s gonna be alright

All stars now

To lead us to the light…

And it’s gonna be ok…

It’s gonna be alright…

Alright

It’s gonna be ok…

It’s gonna be alright

All of that love was real and it’s all stars now…

Remember when we

Were kids

And we could run so fast

Little tiny superhero’s

Tryin to get back home at last

 (chorus)

No more tears

Look up when you don’t know how

All of that love

Is right there and it’s all stars now…

Our lives are made up of colors

from the brightest neons to the soft shades of pastel

Then finally to the dimming of the faded lights…

Birth.  Growth.  Death.

My favorites are the pastels that have

wrapped my soul in happiness and contentment.

They are called my family.

Where there was strife in one there was great love in another

Always balanced.  Always soft.  Always pastel.

For 30 of my 50 years I have been a moon beam.

Didn’t you know?

Oh yes,

I have experienced wonderous passages of time

And people going through my light

I call life.

To say that I wish some of them hadn’t trespassed into my glowing world

Would mean there were regrets in my life.

I have none.  I need none.  Why would i?

Some came dancing and bobbing

others came hesitant and unwilling

But once we were together

we made beautiful designs on the earth

That will never be touched by that fading light. 

When the sun comes up and my light fades

I will still have had my pastels.

It’s gonna be ok

Everything’s gonna be alright

It’s gonna be ok

Everything’s gonna be alright…

(chorus)

Everything we lost in the fire…

Everything we lost

(it’s all stars now)

END © ARRFBC December 27, 2011/Edits January 14, 2011

SILENCE (2012)

4th proper release from "Silence" record

it's gonna be alright
ima write a new song tonight
hold my drink way up high, yeah
and sing it with all my might!

mmmm
i'm fighting silence.

turn up the radio, yeah
dedicate it to the one i know
shout it out before we go, yeah
ima never, ever let you go!

mmmm
i'm fighting silence

i'm breaking dishes
all-nighters
and i'm dancing
singing out
keep it moving
and the neighbors are complaining!
no safety net
no chance of rescue
just me and this gravity of running the loss of
losing someone like you
someone like you
someone like you!

i'm fighting silence

it's gonna be alright, yeah
ima write a new song tonight
it's gonna be alright, yeah
ima write a new song tonight!

mmm
i'm fighting silence
mmm
i'm fighting silence

(c) 2012 ARRFBC

FLOWERS (2012)

3RD RELEASE FROM "SILENCE"

Never mind these dreams that I have of you

Never mind the pain that I’m sifting through

Never mind how hard I have to try

Never mind the emptiness in my sky…

There are no flowers when you’re gone

There’s no sorry’s when you’re gone

When you’re gone…

(When you’re gone I’m here alone…)

There are no futures when you’re gone

There’s no take backs when you’re gone

When you’re gone…

(When you’re gone I don’t know my home…)

(I don’t know where’s home)

Never mind that I count the days

Never mind the obsticals in my way

Never mind the city that I’m living in

Never mind the learning to live again

(chorus)

I wonder why we wait till it’s just too late

It doesn’t make sense the granted we take this for

When we still go and we can’t try anymore…

Anymore…

There are no flowers when you’re gone

There’s no take-backs when you’re gone

There’s no sorry’s when you’re gone

When you’re gone…

When you’re gone I can’t hear the music…

There are no flowers when you’re gone

There’s no sorry’s when you’re gone

When you’re gone…

(when you’re gone I’m here alone)

There are no future’s when you’re gone

There’s no take backs when you’re gone

When you’re gone

When you’re gone….

(I don’t know where’s home)

When you’re gone…

(Chorus)

END © ARRFBC January 11, 2012

BEAT OF YOUR HEART (2012)

2ND RELEASE FROM "SILENCE"

calling to you brother

not sure if you can hear…

I know it gets so loud in there

Your head, and nothing’s clear…

But I just saw some something

And I just had to say

Hope is alive and well out there

It’s another new day (so)

(chorus)

Why don’t you try… even if you just can’t feel

Why don’t you just keep pushing, until something goes real

Keep on watching stars, and keep on dreaming hard

Till the beat that gets you there, is the beat of your heart…

I hope you can feel it

I hope you can feel it

Voices run rampant

Another party by yourself…

Alarms going off all over

You got no room for no one else…

But, I think we’re better off

For everything that we get through

And you cannot love anyone

Until you let them love you… (oh)

(chorus)

and in the off chance you’re wrong – and that dreams still come true

and in the off chance you’re wrong – and there might still be hope for you…

because we’re for something – and there’s so much to see…

in the off chance you’re wrong – why don’t you try to believe…

(chorus repeat)

I hope you feel it… the beat of your heart…

I hope you feel it… the beat of your heart…

END © January 12, 2006 ARRFBC/Updated December 2011

MAD AT JESUS (2012)

Lead single off of "Silence."   (2nd single overall)

Mama take the wheel tonight

Coz I’m still mad at jesus

I know I’m damned for thinking it

But sometimes it’s like, he don’t see us…

And I know exactly what you’d say

He just works in his way

But why when everywhere I turn is hate

Would he choose you to take away?

Forgive me, but I’m still mad at jesus

I’m still mad at jesus…

And I want him right before my eyes

So I can ask somebody why

It’s never okay to be mad at jesus

Coz I am mad at jesus…

Mom, come back and walk me through

And hold my hand just one more time                                                                                                                  

Sing with me and tell me how

It’s gonna be okay I’ll get through my life

And maybe I could’ve made some change

Been more attentive to your pain

And God help me if I dare to feel too much

I’ll be consumed and also shamed…

So forgive me, but I’m still mad at jesus

I’m still mad at jesus…

And I want him right before my eyes

So I can ask somebody why

It’s never okay to be mad at jesus

Coz I am mad at jesus…

And let it go coz god only knows

And the rest of us are left in the cold… oh

Mama take the wheel tonight

Coz I’m still mad at jesus

Coz I’m still mad at jesus… (Mama…)

And I want him right before my face

To remind me of this beautiful place

Coz I’m so mad at jesus…

I’m still mad at jesus..

Mama take the wheel tonight

Coz I’m still mad at jesus

Coz I’m still mad at jesus… (Mama…)

END © ARRFBC November 3, 2011 (Written by J. Brymer)

REMEMBER ME (2012)

4th (5th overall) single from "Book of Goals"

Once upon a time

I wanted to do it all alone

It was just fine with me

Being unknown

But now I’m thinkin about my legacy

What I’ll leave behind

Love given and received

To say this world was mine…

Remember me baby

Say you’re gonna be there

Write me in a song

Send me on a prayer…

Whoa-oh, send me on a prayer…

I wanna look into your eyes

And know that you love me

I want my shot at glory

With someone there beside me

What’s the point in living

If you don’t go out dancing in the dark

To feel it all happen

In your open heart…

(chorus)

Remember me, baby

Say that you’re mine

Keep me in your heart

Until the end of time…

What’s the point in living

If you don’t go out dancing in the dark

To feel it all happen

In your open heart…

(chorus repeat)

END © ARRFBC August 7, 2011

Recorded on September 1, 2011, Tempe, AZ