IF ONLY
You are my favorite If Only
If only I'd showed up in time
If Only's the name of my pony
And we're always a little behind
If only, if only, if only
It echoes thru my lonely life
If only, if only, if only
I think I'd be ready…
I never sing this song the same two times in a row.
The lyric below is pretty close to how I sing it now.
Listening again, this is an awful version of this song...
I have my recording machine working again...I must redo this.
I PLAY C…
LULLABY
Key D
D4 D sus D, D4 D sus D
(D) Close your eyes and tell me. Tell me what you see. In the sleepy landscape of your reverie. (G) Can you count the blossoms in the (Em) garden (A) of your (D) mind? Think about the mountains and the…
SLAUGHTER MOUNTAIN
My mom’s dad was a coal miner. Her mother died of TB when she was a kid. When she was twelve, her dad, dying of black lung, slit his throat with a butcher knife. That left her with a cripple little brother to take care of…
THE COUCH - key - C
https://fb.watch/lIEUn31mBZ/
https://www.facebook.com/100054814402634/videos/2856132984527543/
1-C 4-F
Today we put the couch out by the road
5-G…
I have a video called THE BROKE PIANO on line at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JON_poM_sdY
Ironically, it does not include this song.
Key D
D (figure is D D sus, D D sus)
I am a BROKE PIANO. Got no damper and no keys
G…
There is nothing like the presence of a horse. The quiet understanding. The gentle strength.
Woodlake, California...1961. I had a horse. She was my friend.
There were times in my teens when Babe was the only being that did not judge me…
LISA MAKES APPOINTMENTS
Capo @ 3 in C
C stepping down G
Lisa makes appointments for her friends to come and cry
She’s got a comfy shoulder and an empathetic sigh
Am. F. Am. F
Lisa’s…
LISA MAKES APPOINTMENTS
Capo @ 3 in C
C stepping down G
Lisa makes appointments for her friends to come and cry
She’s got a comfy shoulder and an empathetic sigh
Am. F. Am. F
Lisa’s…
LISA MAKES APPOINTMENTS
Capo @ 3 in C
C stepping down G
Lisa makes appointments for her friends to come and cry
She’s got a comfy shoulder and an empathetic sigh
Am. F. Am. F
Lisa’s…
LISA MAKES APPOINTMENTS
Capo @ 3 in C
C stepping down G
Lisa makes appointments for her friends to come and cry
She’s got a comfy shoulder and an empathetic sigh
Am. F. Am. F
Lisa’s…
LISA MAKES APPOINTMENTS
Capo @ 3 in C
C stepping down G
Lisa makes appointments for her friends to come and cry
She’s got a comfy shoulder and an empathetic sigh
Am. F. Am. F
Lisa’s…
PLEASE DON'T TELL ME ANY MORE
capo @ 3 in G
James Michael Taylor 09 26/7 14
VERSE ONE - You said you knew the story would upset me G
That you'd resolved to kept it to yourself G D
You said you knew how hard it would…
Remember that song, PLEASE DON'T TELL ME ANY MORE? You wrote. "What a hateful, miserable person that big mouth is." Well, Big Mouth, yes, and oblivious, but he's one among us and non of us think of him as hateful. People say things in a flash, not having a clue to how it's going to land.
(I Almost Washed the ) DISHES
I almost washed the dishes
I almost ran the water
Maybe tomorrow
Maybe Saturday
What does it matter to me
I almost washed the dishes..
(C) 2020 Royal T Music
The banjo, bass and guitar on this song
was played by Michael Jeffrey. This is one song off the record we did together back in 1975/6 on his 4 track machine. Michael and Barbara Anne Taylor sing harmony.
I LIVE WITH REBECCA
I live with…
My Rebecca married a buddy who was killed in a car wreck. Had a beautiful daughter who died in her teens. Such sadness I have lost touch with her. She and I met ay Abilene Christian College in 1964. One day we met at a park and she read THE LITTLE PRINCE to me.
The banjo, bass and guitar on this song
was played by Michael Jeffrey. This is one song off the record we did together back in 1975/6 on his 4 track machine. Michael and Barbara Anne Taylor sing harmony.
I LIVE WITH REBECCA
I live with…
The banjo, bass and guitar on this song
was played by Michael Jeffrey. This is one song off the record we did together back in 1975/6 on his 4 track machine. Michael and Barbara Anne Taylor sing harmony.
I LIVE WITH REBECCA
I live with…
Very interesting. I was there with my girlfriend Rebecca Portillo. Your song made that trip extra special. She lived in Las Cruces NM and I lived in Columbia, Mo attending UMC. We eventually went out separate ways. So your song turned out to be prophetic. Thank you for using your gift of music and sharing it. Phil Estes
This is my mom's story.
Lula Teeters got off to
a pretty rough start.
She finally turned it
all lose last November.
May she rest in peace.
SISTER SAID
Daddy was a miner. He worked himself to death
Company said he killed himself, but…
Your song spoke of a much more major event, than my struggling to take that picture... my picture being my art, your song being your art in this train of logic. But even capturing images from what you see in the world around you that calls out to you... it is a life saving and nurturing process for me. Art as salvation. Gwyn Henry
This is my mom's story.
Lula Teeters got off to
a pretty rough start.
She finally turned it
all lose last November.
May she rest in peace.
SISTER SAID
Daddy was a miner. He worked himself to death
Company said he killed himself, but…
You were talking about Salvation art earlier-- Although this is great in its own right as to what it gives to others, I can see the processing that was going on in letting this go, in a kind of creation. Just beautiful! Gwyn Henry
There is nothing like the presence of a horse. The quiet understanding. The gentle strength.
Woodlake, California...1961. I had a horse. She was my friend.
There were times in my teens when Babe was the only being that did not judge me…
Gwyn Henry
James Michael Taylor Oh, yes, this is beautiful,Jim.You should do more of this... spoken word,to music. I'm thinking that you have,tho! Or spoken word mixe w/ sung.
SOMERTHING TO BELIEVE capo @ 2 in C
C
They’re rounding up the roosters down in Florida
F
Drowning all the snakes in New Orleans
G
The fires are chasing antelopes in Chyanne…
CEDRICH/DRUNKEN INDIAN
CEDRICK Key G Open G tuning (GGDGBD)
He gave me 2 rings. Silver with turquoise insets. That was 1974. We were moving from Oregon to Texas in an old Dodge school bus. Towing the Chevy Van behind it. Unhitched the van…
CEDRICK Key G Open G tuning (GGDGBD)
He gave me 2 rings. Silver with turquoise insets. That was 1974. We were moving from Oregon to Texas in an old Dodge school bus. Towing the Chevy Van behind it. Unhitched the van when we stopped in Albuquerque…
Em capo @ 6
Maybe I could be a potter
Throwing all the words away
Maybe I could learn the language of the clay
Maybe I could be a potter
Sweep the words out of the way
Let my fingers find the music in the clay
Gwyn Henry
James Michael Taylor Kat took the words right out of my mouth... you do have a song for almost everything, and that's lucky for the world! But there will always be an "almost', so keep writing!
Like
Reply11m
Active
Gwyn Henry
PS: Just listened to the song, one of your "shorts"... it is beautiful! Love the thoughtful melody in a minor key. Love the bits of harmony, love that distant echo at the end. This song sure has its own vibe, its own world...now you've got me thinking, maybe I could be a potter!
Em capo @ 6
Maybe I could be a potter
Throwing all the words away
Maybe I could learn the language of the clay
Maybe I could be a potter
Sweep the words out of the way
Let my fingers find the music in the clay
Kat Angel
James Michael Taylor You have a song for everything 🤩 Your song makes me think you are sitting Indian style and are contemplating if being a potter is something you might do. You craft stories with your music.
DEEPER
Every day I sink a little deeper
Two steps up. Three steps back.
I'd rather be dead than be a sleeper
I'm not coming back...
(C) 2020 Royal T Music
Wade Jackson
James Michael Taylor my brain just put a 7 turnaround after that ending major chord and wanted to add another verse… 😆 time is too short my friend !
PERFECT
When I said, “She’s perfect,” I meant she’s Perfect for me
You might not see her that Perfectly
When 1 and 1 is 2 and 2 and 1 is three, that’s math and on math we all agree
But Perfect has a sliding scale on which we all find our…
I was speaking to those who kept telling me Peggy wasn't as pretty as I thought, thus, “When I said." She’s perfect,” I meant she’s Perfect for me." "You might not see her so perfectly." And then I was just riffing on what perfect means...
PORTAL and HAPPINESS and TIME are three of the songs on my new CD, EUREKA. Short pieces.
TIME
There was a time when I figured my Chevy van would last forever
I guess that was back when I was about thirty
And there was a time when I thot…
capo @ 3
Am walk down...
When I was a child we'd drive 200 miles
to Grandma's in the Spring
I'd hop out of the car, run to the back yard.
Grandma had a swing
But the times have changed...
When I became a dad I took all the rope I had…
M E L I S S A Key of G
These are letters I like to say - M E L I S S A
These are notes I like to play……
Letters that sparkle. Notes that jingle
Make a little song in my heart
There’s a song in my heart today - M E L I S S A
I wish…
M E L I S S A Key of G
These are letters I like to say - M E L I S S A
These are notes I like to play……
Letters that sparkle. Notes that jingle
Make a little song in my heart
There’s a song in my heart today - M E L I S S A
I wish…
I wrote this at my dad's urging. He likes it. We sing it together. I have YouTube Video of it up.
EULOGY
He grew up in Clinton, Oklahoma
Red dirt back yard, Gramma's place
Honey suckle in a dust bowl
Life as hard as limestone lace…
This is the title song from my first LP.
FEATHERS IN THE WIND by SNOWGEESE.
Snowgeese was my first wife, BarbaraAnne and me. Michael was a new friend we met when we moved to Texas that liked my songs enough to produce and arrange and record…
Jim Farmer
JMT...Also wanna say that I love the sound produced on those 1/4" - 4 track machines. I listened to half the tunes on "Feathers in the Wind" & really enjoyed them. I'll tell you again that I'm a big fan of your writing and your voice. Truly great stuff, my friend.
IN MY DREAM by James Michael Taylor
Last night I held your hand
Reached out and touched your hand
I know it's just a dream
I say, "What does that change?"
Today the sun will shine
Because you made it mine
IN MY DREAM
I held…
Robert White
Just reading the words, maybe to the tune of In Deams By Roy Orbinson! One of My Favorite's! I would love to Sing a Duet with You! My Voice is High like Roy Orbinson and can sing lower like Elvis! Thanks for sharing!🤗😎
IN MY DREAM by James Michael Taylor
Last night I held your hand
Reached out and touched your hand
I know it's just a dream
I say, "What does that change?"
Today the sun will shine
Because you made it mine
IN MY DREAM
I held…
IN MY DREAM by James Michael Taylor
Last night I held your hand
Reached out and touched your hand
I know it's just a dream
I say, "What does that change?"
Today the sun will shine
Because you made it mine
IN MY DREAM
I held…
IN MY DREAM by James Michael Taylor
Last night I held your hand
Reached out and touched your hand
I know it's just a dream
I say, "What does that change?"
Today the sun will shine
Because you made it mine
IN MY DREAM
I held…
Comments on James Michael Taylor's stuff
Violet Lea James Michael Taylor you really are one of the best songwriters alive.
Kat Angel James Michael Taylor soulful
Mary Guthrie James Michael Taylor favorite line:"... We dream deep. And we hold on to each other when we travel in our sleep."
Bravo Bravo, delightful words sung like an angel <3
Sob
Fantastic, poignant, great imagery. You have a beautiful voice.
Lee Edward Orr James Michael Taylor I feel that track.
Dyson Reich -I have to be honest…I got goosebumps at the end of the couch song. You really connected the emotions with the picture you painted.
Sara DeMore James Michael Taylor very very sad video, very good song. First verse and last lines are my favorites.
Dee Hill James Michael Taylor I love this
Lane Beauvais Definitely one of my favorite songs from a great album!
Roberta Hargrove Beautiful.
Jeff Prince Love these lyrics, especially the line about a lump beneath her rug.
David Young I've always liked this one!
Heartfelt story, I like your energy in this one - Kat Angel
Remember that song, PLEASE DON'T TELL ME ANY MORE? You wrote. "What a hateful, miserable person that big mouth is." Well, Big Mouth, yes, and oblivious, but he's one among us and non of us think of him as hateful. People say things in a flash, not having a clue to how it's going to land.
Love it ❤️
My Rebecca married a buddy who was killed in a car wreck. Had a beautiful daughter who died in her teens. Such sadness I have lost touch with her. She and I met ay Abilene Christian College in 1964. One day we met at a park and she read THE LITTLE PRINCE to me.
Becky Byrd Spicer That’s a sweet song, vocals and strings.
Very interesting. I was there with my girlfriend Rebecca Portillo. Your song made that trip extra special. She lived in Las Cruces NM and I lived in Columbia, Mo attending UMC. We eventually went out separate ways. So your song turned out to be prophetic. Thank you for using your gift of music and sharing it. Phil Estes
Comments made by James Michael Taylor
Your song spoke of a much more major event, than my struggling to take that picture... my picture being my art, your song being your art in this train of logic. But even capturing images from what you see in the world around you that calls out to you... it is a life saving and nurturing process for me. Art as salvation. Gwyn Henry
You were talking about Salvation art earlier-- Although this is great in its own right as to what it gives to others, I can see the processing that was going on in letting this go, in a kind of creation. Just beautiful! Gwyn Henry
Gwyn Henry James Michael Taylor Oh, yes, this is beautiful,Jim.You should do more of this... spoken word,to music. I'm thinking that you have,tho! Or spoken word mixe w/ sung.
Lane Beauvais Another round of GMOs please. I'm sprouting wings and barking like a puppy cat.
Wade Jackson Well done brother. I always enjoy your approach to songs.
Jenni Mansfield Peal I really like that song. Raw and heartbreaking.
Gwyn Henry James Michael Taylor Kat took the words right out of my mouth... you do have a song for almost everything, and that's lucky for the world! But there will always be an "almost', so keep writing! Like Reply11m Active Gwyn Henry PS: Just listened to the song, one of your "shorts"... it is beautiful! Love the thoughtful melody in a minor key. Love the bits of harmony, love that distant echo at the end. This song sure has its own vibe, its own world...now you've got me thinking, maybe I could be a potter!
Kat Angel James Michael Taylor You have a song for everything 🤩 Your song makes me think you are sitting Indian style and are contemplating if being a potter is something you might do. You craft stories with your music.
Wade Jackson James Michael Taylor my brain just put a 7 turnaround after that ending major chord and wanted to add another verse… 😆 time is too short my friend !
I was speaking to those who kept telling me Peggy wasn't as pretty as I thought, thus, “When I said." She’s perfect,” I meant she’s Perfect for me." "You might not see her so perfectly." And then I was just riffing on what perfect means...
Kat Angel Very different and interesting. I like the changes in tempo and the story.
Kat Angel Nice imagery. You paint pictures with your songs
Pam Stakes That is AWESOME
Gwyn Henry Cute! I like the rhythm and claps.
Ruth Southern - I agree.
Jim Farmer JMT...Also wanna say that I love the sound produced on those 1/4" - 4 track machines. I listened to half the tunes on "Feathers in the Wind" & really enjoyed them. I'll tell you again that I'm a big fan of your writing and your voice. Truly great stuff, my friend.
Robert White Just reading the words, maybe to the tune of In Deams By Roy Orbinson! One of My Favorite's! I would love to Sing a Duet with You! My Voice is High like Roy Orbinson and can sing lower like Elvis! Thanks for sharing!🤗😎
Jack Lavender I could hear body parts tightening at the end.
Jody Jones So many wonderful songs you’ve penned James. Miss you.
James Kempton That was really good, Thsnks, Jim