Get all 29 James Tristan Redding releases available on Bandcamp and save 75%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Leap Songs, Part 5, Leap Songs, Part 4, Song A Week, Vol. 8, Leap Songs, Part 2, Leap Songs, Part 1, The Nashville 24, Vol. 3, Look Out World, Song A Week, Volume 7, and 21 more.
1. |
First Stop (211023)
02:33
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You've been runnin' for a while now
Only friend the open road
Can't remember how to smile now
Yeah I know how it goes
Well I grabbed myself a porch swing
And I'm savin' one for you
My heart's open you can tell me anything
So if you're passin' through
Let me be your first stop
Let me catch your tear drops
Let me wash away those blues
Everything else can wait
So before it's too late
I'm right in front of you
Let me be your first stop
It's hard to look behind us
Even harder to look ahead
So in this moment let us find us
Just remember what I said
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2. |
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What am I waiting for
Standing at the door
I had the keys but I can't find 'em anymore
What am I waiting for
Who do I think I am
Do I even have a plan
Tried to hold on but it's slippin' through my hands
Who do I think I am
Where do I see this goin'
So far away from home
I was close but now I'm out here on my own
Where do I see this goin'
How do I think this ends
Truth don't break but it can bend
Ring the bell or am I breakin' in again
How do I think this ends
What if this is all there is
Sit here wondering what I missed
Picture in my wallet and a string around my wrist
What if this is all there is
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3. |
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Let me introduce myself
I'm a somewhat colorful man
Some call me Blue and you can too
But what you gotta' understand
I like to think of this world as my canvas
Carry this brush in my hand
A million shades that I could choose
But only one will do
It's in the water it's in the sky
It's in the wink of a pretty girl's eyes
It's in the song that a broken man sings
The only way he can spread his wings
People say I got a old soul
I'm just goin' where the wind blows
I know you're wonderin' what I'm here to do
I'm gonna' paint this whole world blue
Everybody gets the blues
That's just how it goes
And that's why that particular hue
Is one everybody knows
That don't mean you gotta' stay
Drownin' in your tears
Go on let the music in
Let it bring you to life again
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4. |
Chicago (211023)
01:30
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There's nothing like a lake
To bring the world together
This place has what it takes
Never mind the weather
Everyone's from somewhere
Separated by 6 degrees
When winter's in the air
Ain't easy not to freeze
Lotta' history in this city
And a lotta' politicians
You know that's why they call it windy
Pretty much the main tradition
Whatever's in a name
Like Beantown or Gotham
The spirit is the same
From the top down to the bottom
So bring the Illinoise
It's more than just bravado
'Cause all the girls and boys
Everybody loves Chicago
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5. |
And A Dog (211023)
02:43
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Loaded up the car and hit the road
Ready to find out where it goes
Everything I need I'm pretty sure I got
Four wheels and a dream and a dog
Joined all those who came before
Settin' out to explore
Mountains risin' in the distance through the fog
Just me and my courage and a dog
What is it that makes a life
What you own or what's inside
It all comes and goes but even when it's gone
All I need is me and God and a dog
I know that all is well
When he wags his tail
There's ups and downs but I'll tell you what
I got luck on my side and a dog
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6. |
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For better or worse I'm watching the clock
The hands are moving but I am not
If I had faith I guess I forgot
Here I am watching the clock
Counting down the hours
But to what I don't know
A little sweet a little sour
Sure is movin' slow
But I can't seem to stop
Watching the clock
How many years I been doin' this now
If I'm honest I lost count
I felt like givin' up and I'm not proud
Of how long I been doin' this now
I'm runnin' on empty
And more than a little lost
Lord won't you help me
Still watching that clock
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7. |
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I wanted to open up my house
So I took down all the doors
I wanted to see my two bare feet
So I put 'em on the floor
I wanted to open up my mind
So I threw away the key
I wanted to open up my life
So I fell down on my knees
I don't wanna' do it now the way I did it all before
I don't wanna' feel the feelings I was feeling anymore
I don't wanna' be trapped with my nose against the glass
I don't wanna' make tomorrow just a picture of the past
I washed every window
And I painted every wall
Until I didn't recognize
Anything at all
I don't wanna' do it now the way I did it all before
I don't wanna' feel the feelings I was feeling anymore
I don't wanna' be trapped with my nose against the glass
I don't wanna' make tomorrow just a picture of the past
Now my house is open
Anyone's allowed
All those guests I used to have
Wish they could see it now
I cleaned out all the closets
And emptied out the drawers
Swept out all the habits
And the dirt I can't afford
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8. |
Safe And Warm (211023)
03:16
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There is a moment of truth
You feel it inside
When there's nothing more to prove
You just gotta' survive
I know you've had your share
Of sadness and pain
Remember everybody's been there
And made it through the rain
When you're up against the wire
The stakes are gettin' higher
And it's tougher than it ever felt before
Gotta' trust that voice inside you
It's the only way to guide you
To your shelter through the storm
Safe and warm
Sometimes the sky looks dark
Like all hell is gonna' break loose
But you know deep in your heart
You got nothin' to lose
When you're up against the wire
The stakes are gettin' higher
And it's tougher than it ever felt before
Gotta' trust that voice inside you
It's the only way to guide you
To your shelter through the storm
Safe and warm
You're gonna' make it through
Yeah I believe in you
Sun is comin' up behind you
So lemme' remind you
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9. |
This Tree (211023)
03:53
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This tree is a lot like me
Slow swayin' in a southern breeze
Forgetting' 'bout yesterday and the games Father Time plays
Doin' it our own way
This tree's been around forever
Growin' tall in all kinds of weather
Generations come and go wish they knew the things it knows
No one comes close
I don't judge this tree it don't judge me
We just both keep growing old
Somethin' 'bout the mortal soul keeps chasin' silver and gold
Not me all I need is this tree
This tree sittin' in the sun
Isn't tellin' anyone
All the folks it's known or where its roots are growin'
Just stands there all alone
This tree is gonna' die someday
Much as it pains me to say
I'll be long gone by then but I won't forget my friend
This tree and I will meet again
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10. |
My Old Man (211023)
02:11
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My old man he's big and bad
He keeps it real wherever he's at
Won't take no mess won't take no shit from no one
If you play with his money he'll pick up his gun
Don't play with my old man
Don't mess with my old man
He takes care of his wife provides for his kids
When he's drinkin' gin you'll see how mean he is
You better finish your dinner and wash up your plate
'Cause if he finds a crumb he'll take the belt off his waist
Don't play with my old man
Don't mess with my old man
Voice like a dog and he's ready to bite
If you cross the line then he's ready to fight
He'll look you straight in the eye then punch you square in the nose
Don't mess with my old man 'cause as they sayin' goes
Don't mess with my old man
Don't mess with my old man
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11. |
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There's a world outside my window
It's strangely far away
Seems kinda' like it's moving
Faster every day
In the world outside my window
Nothing ever lasts
I'm in here holding onto
Pieces of the past
Colors change all the names are not the same
Shadows getting tall
Daylight fades and all the faces that I see
Just reflections on the wall
For the world outside my window
I'd do anything
If something fresh and new
Would begin
To the world outside my window
All my love I'd give
If only there were somewhere
I could really live
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12. |
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Nice to meet you I'm an ant
You wouldn't guess it but I can
Bench press things that weigh way more than me
I even dead lift wanna' see
There was this singer his name was Frank
There was this song that he sang
He said I lifted a rubber tree
That's only half the truth take it from me
What really happened what I really did
And yes I'm bragging here I'll admit
I found a palette of rubber trees
With a sign that said F.R.E.E. free
I picked the whole thing up put it on my back
Ran down the sidewalk jumped all the cracks
I woulda' made it to my place too
Except I crashed into someone's shoe
Now I won't tell you whose shoe it was
But you can probably guess because
His voice was golden his eyes were blue
And he got rich off me that seem fair to you
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13. |
Snow Globe (211023)
03:17
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I’ve avoided my family all year
But then I came up with an idea
When I pulled out my holiday decor
And I found my escape door
My world’s been shaken up
Turned upside down
But I could be with a snowman
In his plastic town
If I could live in a snow globe this Christmas
It’d be the only thing on my wish list
I can’t hear you through this glass dome if you knock
This year I’m making my new home a snow globe
Nothing gets in or out
And I can turn up my music loud
Nobody’s snoring or crying or yelling
An over-cooked turkey won’t be what I’m smelling
The snow would fall down
The perfect amount
It’s just me and Santa
In this plastic town
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14. |
Can’t Quit Now (211023)
02:59
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Footsteps gettin' slow
Eyelids hangin' low
Runnin' outta' juice
Day is all but gone
Night is lookin' long
Words all slapdash loose
But I can't quit now
Face a greasy mess
Tore up more or less
Fadin' out to nothin'
Lookin' like a clown
Smile so upside down
I may not recover
But I can't quit now
Hungry hurt and thirsty
Bloody beat and dirty
Way out past the line
Dead between the ears
Understatement of the year
Is I'm not doin' fine
But I can't quit now
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15. |
Pockets (211023)
02:42
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When I buy a pair of pants
One thing that matters a lot
More than color more than texture even size
Is how many pockets they got
See there's a lot I carry
In that denim fabric
But more than what I got
Is what I haven't
I got a wallet and a credit card
I got a bus pass and a pen
Even got a handkerchief and a couple loose dollars
But there's one thing I'll never have again
I searched in second hand shops
Looked at Walmart and at Sears
I know I'm not gonna' find it
Still I been holdin' out for years
By now I guess you're wonderin'
What could be so good
To keep me chasin' day after day
And I'd tell you if I could
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16. |
Start A Fire (211023)
03:10
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The air is chilly sky is black
There's some things that are never comin' back
Everything good is comin' undone
Something tells me the time has come
To douse some wood in gasoline
Strike a match or two or three
Burn everything from the windshield to the tires
The best revenge may be livin' well
Well tonight we'll torch it all to hell
Watch those flames climb up higher
It's time to start a fire
I tried to save it but I couldn't
Things went the way they probably shouldn't
Almost laid these feelings low
Too late now here I go
To douse some wood in gasoline
Strike a match or two or three
Burn everything from the windshield to the tires
The best revenge may be livin' well
Well tonight we'll torch it all to hell
Watch those flames climb up higher
It's time to start a fire
Coal is smokin' beneath my feet
I hope I can stand the heat
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17. |
Nike Is The Man (211023)
02:33
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Three feet tall bushy tail
Silky coat of black and grey
Ears perked up to listen
Trottin' 'round and 'round again
Eating scraps and makin' friends
Ain't nothin' that he's missin'
Nike is the man with his furry little hands
And that collar's lookin' good
If you wanna' make his day one thing never fails
Why not share some food
That's his master plan and Nike is the man
Rockin' fresh canine style
Old man snout but a puppy smile
Sleek shoulders and running legs
He's the life of any party
Especially if they're serving Arby's
So be careful 'cause he begs
Nike is the man with his furry little hands
And that collar's lookin' good
If you wanna' make his day one thing never fails
Why not share some food
That's his master plan and Nike is the man
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18. |
Silence (211023)
03:24
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The roof above my head
Is under someone else's bed
Right now what they got in common is silence
When everything is still
These walls know how I feel
We have a whole conversation in silence
Silence in the sky silence in the sea
Silence everywhere I go
But the silence I had with you held a special kinda' truth
That's the one I miss the most
Curtains open wide
The moonlight pours inside
Drenches everything in silence
There's something in the air
That lays its spirit bare
Paints a perfect portrait of silence
Silence in the sky silence in the sea
Silence everywhere I go
But the silence I had with you held a special kinda' truth
That's the one I miss the most
Funny how the words
Start to sound absurd
When you remember them in silence
If I could just rewind
I'd do it different next time
Maybe now I wouldn't be in silence
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19. |
Grey (211023)
03:10
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I thought the night was black
And day was white
But I'm startin' to think
That's not quite right
Not coal and feathers
Or milk in an iron kettle
The truth is somewhere
In the middle
It's in the in between in the uncertainty
It's in the empty space
The light and dark come together seamlessly
Somewhere in the grey
I'm throwing in the towel
On figurin' this stuff out
There's colors everywhere they bleed across the page
And there's beauty in the shades
It's in the in between in the uncertainty
It's in the empty space
The light and dark come together seamlessly
Somewhere in the grey
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20. |
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I wonder if you know where the sunset goes
When it disappears
Does anybody chase its final fading rays
To anywhere to but here
I wonder if you know where the tall grass grows
And Mother Earth lets down her hair
Come here by my side stay with me tonight
I'll take you there
There's something in my heart
I bring it everywhere I go
Just a couple words I wanna' say
I wonder if you know
I wonder if you know how very very close
We really are in space and time
And I promise here and now sure as sky is up and dirt is down
Someday I'll make you mine
There's something in my heart
I bring it everywhere I go
Just a couple words I wanna' say
I wonder if you know
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21. |
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I just can't get enough of autumn I just love
Colored leaves both new and old
The glow of something new like the day that I met you
It fills my very soul
There's somethin' 'bout yellows and reds
Always goes to my head
Sunsets sunflowers and that golden hair
Daydreamin' in bed
There's somethin' 'bout yellows and reds
I wait for this each year just sittin' right here
Lookin' off into the distance
Patient as can be eatin' Halloween candy
Couldn't stand to miss it
There's somethin' 'bout yellows and reds
Always goes to my head
Sunsets sunflowers and that golden hair
Daydreamin' in bed
There's somethin' 'bout yellows and reds
Seasons changing in the air
Those shimmers in your hair
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22. |
YSF (211024)
01:52
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YSF what's so special about it
I dunno' I guess it's all the climbs
The summers and all the water
It's where I wanna' spend my time
YSF it's so expensive
Well so is everywhere today
NYC MKE MEX
Even BNA
YSF all those homeless people
They gotta' live somewhere just like me
Streets are dirty what else is new
At least they're free
YSF there's no Bluebird
No Broadway no Music Row
Makes no sense but that don't make no difference
I think I gotta' go
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23. |
Hiding Place (211024)
02:31
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There's some kinda' hiding place
Where all my feelings are
Somewhere in between the pencil and the paper
Oh yeah and my heart
They're hiding in their hiding place
The last place I'd ever look
Lucky me when I write or sing they surface
Like words out of a book
If you really listen
Maybe you can help me trace
The things that I keep missing
Before they fade away
Back into their hiding place
Somethin' 'bout a hiding place
Right under your nose
Waitin' to be uncovered but
It might be better not to know
If you really listen
Maybe you can help me trace
The things that I keep missing
Before they fade away
Back into their hiding place
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24. |
Finish Line (211024)
02:11
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Two thirty in the morning
Late October day
Writin' one last song
Before I leave this place
A couple hours ago
I turned thirty nine
Unusual for a birthday
But it's how I'm spending mine
I know life doesn't have a finish line
It's a journey not a race
There's no destination
Except here and now today
All the same just this one time
I'll claim a finish line
Twenty four songs in twenty four hours
Actually done in twenty
Don't remind me I know if they were all great
I wouldn't have near as many
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James Tristan Redding Nashville, Tennessee
British-American songwriter, singer, audiobook narrator, studio player, Godin Guitars official
artist.
Founded global collective www.SongAWeek.org, performance art experience The Under Over: tinyurl.com/uoxuo (song circle underneath a highway) and writing retreat www.TheNashville24.com (annual challenge: write 24 songs in 24 hours).
Cuts by Sarah Harralson, Eli Alger, Emma Gale, David Easterling
... more
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