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…
ADOBE & BLOOD
Thanks to David Kneller
for bringing up the subject
and creating that phrase:
ADOBE & BLOOD
I read a lotta stories about a lotta stuff
But I tell ya folks, I'll never read enough
To block out the memories what…
This is my adaptation of a poem by Rosemarie Kempton.
"I always felt that it was fitting that you turned the poem I wrote into a poignant hymn that captured the feeling of loss of a loved one. My words sprang from my attempts to understand…
Her real name isn't Luanne and she was so drunk when this all happened (tho she has a cd with this song on it) she has no idea it's about her.
Singing this song always makes me cry...
ABOUT LUANNE capo @ 2 in Am
Am G F E repeats
Luanne…
It’s an exceptional piece... I like pieces that “bother” and flip a phrase to a point... this one intrigues me....
You must keep writing James!!! Hope to cross paths again soon...
Blu (Sharon Walker)
The lyrics of this song,
as they pertain to plot,
are my exact memory of the event.
I had spoken to the kid maybe a minute before the "action" started about how the pressure of the water was very strong. He was nestled down with his back…
what awesome lyrics mate!
Reminds me of good old Robert Zimmerman... but it also doubles as metaphorical mastery!
The boy represents an issue within your community... one for which you are there, and MUST help... but which the community just sits back on, not really seeing the "problem" you are attempting to fix...
Powerful stuff, mate.
Love it. Mark Brookman
GHOST TOWN
Key C Capo @ 2 or whatever works for you...
C Em F G C
I live in a Ghost Town somewhere on the edge of space
C Em F G
Everything is dusty and everything is in it's place
Am Em F G C
All the doors hang open and when it rains…
...after reading John Steinbeck's IN DUBIOUS BATTLE and watching the John Ford movie of GRAPES OF WRATH. The opening and closing statements are quotes from the Preacher in the movie.
A friend said he wanted to do a video of this track. I…
Gwyn Henry
The Stienbeck excerpt: Especially the 2nd paragraph. My Gawd! I had forgotten how that man could write!!! I had forgotten why he is an icon among American writers,. Touched by the gods. As is your song, In Dubious Battle. It is an opus. imhop. If you had never written another song, just leaving this one would earn you a place in the echelons!! (OK, I'll calm down now.) These two pieces in combination have moved me greatly for their Truth. And so totally relevant today.
FIREFLIES. capo @ 2
F walk down
We (C) spoke of them as (C/B) sweethearts
There (Am) in the Southern (F) sky
(C) Saturn, just a (G) twinkle, bold (F) Jupiter near (G) by
I (Am) guess we didn't (Am/G) notice
as they (Am/F)drifted a…
"Fireflies." has a stellar intro, and then you woot he listener in with your crooning and compelling vocals. I have always loved the topic of fireflies and your hook about chsing fireflies in the htickets of two hearts is Phenomenal. Lots of nostalgia in this one, especiually for the girl next door who played a game with me, a kiss for every firefly i caught for her. But man those bugs were elusive as hell. But when I got a few, I was enthralled by her gentle thank you on my lips. Matthew Blowers III
SKINNY GIRLS
Capo @ 3 in G
...and then he said,
I like skinny girls
Toothy girls
Flat chested girls
I like girls with Adam's apples
A mouth full of titty
And a hand full of ass...
A girl with a six pack
is my kind of...
And then…
Now "Skinny Girls.' is a riotus collection of just plain fun and some great humor, I was so dissappointed when the track just cut out. But then I unbderstood you were giving folks just a taste. I was actually starting to visualize all the descriptive bean pole girls you were listing. A great bar song for sure, and I can see all the slightly inebriated guys rethinking and checking out all the skinny girls nursing their beers. LOL Matthew Blowers III
CALIFORNIA
Capo @ 4 in C/Am
I’m (Am) going back to California
A little place in the San (E) Joaquin
(Am, stepping down A G F# F E)
Where the back pasture builds
To Sierra foothills
And Kaweah tumbles down cool and clean
I’m going back…
Matthew F. Blowers III
I am really liking your song on California, I have a special love for that state. You captured all the reaons I miss it, with your superb storytelling in lyrics and with the smooth harmonies and extremely well played music. It has a catchy beat, and I listened to the very last note.
I NEVER DREAM
I never dream of building bridges. I never dream I’ll build a dam
I never dreamed of a cathedral for the mighty God, I Am
I never dreamed of founding clinics or make donations to the cause
I don’t see my name on statues and…
So today, for some reason I decided to read the words first.. Just the words. And found it an absolutely beautiful experience. The metaphors you use to describe great and cosmic plans and intentions of great societal achievement, contrasted with the lines that begin with, "BUT I dreamed we met for breakfast".... (the switch and the contrast is very powerful) what a tiny, common human thing: meeting over the sharing of food,. Then followed by, "I dreamed I held your hand"... human touch/connection, as though those two simple things are worth more than all the highest achievements of worldly fame, and material ladders climbed! Which they are. They so are. The rest of the lyrics continue to develop & express that idea beautifully. Then I listened to the sing, and although it is good as a song, For me, the words in themselves stand strong and impactful w/o anything else. Not to contrast them and say one is "better" than the other. Just that sometimes I see lyrics that stand alone, And just saying, these words do that very well. Gwyn Henry
HOME
(Am D) or (F C)
VERSE 1.
Where the (G) windmill sings to the mocking bird
And the (CM7) prairie wind, without a word
(Am) Whispers thru tall (D) grass, I’ll be (G) home
(F C G) or (Am D)
VERSE 2.
Where the butter cups and…
Peggy taught me an Eagles song toward the end off our life together. I think it was NEW BOY IN TOWN. (I had no idea what she was telling me.) I took the chord progression from that song and wrote this. Peggy said that was cheating.
WATERMELON…
FOOD I MY BELLY
Capo @ 5 in Em
Em) I gotta get some food in my belly (2)
Am) My hands are shaking and I'm feeling weak
B7) I gotta get some food in my belly
I gotta get some food in my belly
I'm feeling woozy gotta get off of my feet…
IN MY ROOM
In my room there's no day and there's no night
In my room, just an incandescent light
...hanging from a wire.
In my room there's no hot and there's no cold
In my room,I'm not young. I'm not old
...hanging from a wire…
JOHNNY BROKE AN AXLE 110220
I got revved up on blueberry donut holes
and cranked this one out...
Johnny broke an axle
Broke it like a pencil
Oh, no.
We need an ambulance at turn three.
Johnny broke an axle
Broke it like a pencil…
EVER ONE I NEED TO TALK TO
Everyone I need to talk to tonight is gone
Some have gone to heaven. Some have gone to hell
Ever one I want to talk to tonight is gone
FOOD I MY BELLY
Capo @ 5 in Em
Em) I gotta get some food in my belly (2)
Am) My hands are shaking and I'm feeling weak
B7) I gotta get some food in my belly
I gotta get some food in my belly
I'm feeling woozy gotta get off of my feet…
(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
Next in the little pile of songs from the shoe-box. This one has the date 27th January 1994 written on it, but it's describing an episode from many years earlier when I was, I'm guessing, something like 12 or 13 years old.
I had to go to a…
At last... I've managed to finish something.
This was written months ago. I was about to try recording it with one or two others when this year's decorating started. With various buggered fingers, back muscles, etc, etc, I wasn't actually able…
Seasons
OsCKilO
Changing Room 2013
What is the Earth without the wind
To turn the soil
To let the water in
When it comes
At the moment of the rain
Those cracks the wind swept
Now left to drink the whole sky in
Till its bubble rise a top on…
Dear Listener, Thank you for your comment. It's a brand new song and still being written. Your comment helps me figure out what needs to be done to make the song understandable.
I read Siddhartha when I was young and tho it promised a beautiful mate it also promised the loss of that beautiful mate and ending life alone. For some reason that frightened me at the time and sure enough, 28 years with my beautiful mate and she walked out...
FEATHERS IN THE WIND is about a high school girlfriend, dead now. But Keren is still alive.
I look forward to hearing your music. j mt
First installment of a record of "experimental" tracks, mostly me doing weird stuff around the house and at some point deciding to record "that". Well, in fact that's how most of my music gets done, but well, you get the point. Don't say I didn…
The first version of this is on Songs of The Heart. This version was written around 9/11 and is a plea for America to hold on to God, not move away from Him.
The first version of this is on Songs of The Heart. This version was written around 9/11 and is a plea for America to hold on to God, not move away from Him.
This is one of the saddest must beautiful songs I have ever heard. Listening to it over and over. A love song to a love that has forsaken you. Yet you cling.Yet you hope. Yet you believe.
The first version of this is on Songs of The Heart. This version was written around 9/11 and is a plea for America to hold on to God, not move away from Him.
The first version of this is on Songs of The Heart. This version was written around 9/11 and is a plea for America to hold on to God, not move away from Him.
This is about Mary, the Mother of God and mother of us all. For those who aren't Catholic, Catholics don't worship Mary, we honor her and pray for her intercession, just as people ask other people to pray for them. Mary brings us to Jesus.
Finally, finished this one. Its been a battle finding time and fending off a few bouts with allergies and colds etc...A very windy winter and early spring season in the desert was one of the worst in many years. Hoping to get to working on some…
Such clean acoustic guitar sound. Like the way it grows/builds...how the sound of the voice fills out. Cool voice and song. Starts to sound like the Beatles at the end.
I wrote this in the early 1990's during Desert Storm and after a conversation with my brother-in-law, Er4ic, t the time who was sent over there to fight.
Comments on James Michael Taylor's stuff
Visions and emotions that I haven't felt in a long time. Thank you so much. Jere Reiser
"EXCELLENT POINTED SONG RIGHT TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER!" -Don Law
That may be the most beautiful thing I ever heard. Breathtaking. Thanks for sharing. - Janet Fawcett
It’s an exceptional piece... I like pieces that “bother” and flip a phrase to a point... this one intrigues me.... You must keep writing James!!! Hope to cross paths again soon... Blu (Sharon Walker)
what awesome lyrics mate! Reminds me of good old Robert Zimmerman... but it also doubles as metaphorical mastery! The boy represents an issue within your community... one for which you are there, and MUST help... but which the community just sits back on, not really seeing the "problem" you are attempting to fix... Powerful stuff, mate. Love it. Mark Brookman
I ❤️ that song...Kavin Me too. One of his many good ones. JS Savage
Gwyn Henry The Stienbeck excerpt: Especially the 2nd paragraph. My Gawd! I had forgotten how that man could write!!! I had forgotten why he is an icon among American writers,. Touched by the gods. As is your song, In Dubious Battle. It is an opus. imhop. If you had never written another song, just leaving this one would earn you a place in the echelons!! (OK, I'll calm down now.) These two pieces in combination have moved me greatly for their Truth. And so totally relevant today.
"Fireflies." has a stellar intro, and then you woot he listener in with your crooning and compelling vocals. I have always loved the topic of fireflies and your hook about chsing fireflies in the htickets of two hearts is Phenomenal. Lots of nostalgia in this one, especiually for the girl next door who played a game with me, a kiss for every firefly i caught for her. But man those bugs were elusive as hell. But when I got a few, I was enthralled by her gentle thank you on my lips. Matthew Blowers III
Now "Skinny Girls.' is a riotus collection of just plain fun and some great humor, I was so dissappointed when the track just cut out. But then I unbderstood you were giving folks just a taste. I was actually starting to visualize all the descriptive bean pole girls you were listing. A great bar song for sure, and I can see all the slightly inebriated guys rethinking and checking out all the skinny girls nursing their beers. LOL Matthew Blowers III
Matthew F. Blowers III I am really liking your song on California, I have a special love for that state. You captured all the reaons I miss it, with your superb storytelling in lyrics and with the smooth harmonies and extremely well played music. It has a catchy beat, and I listened to the very last note.
So today, for some reason I decided to read the words first.. Just the words. And found it an absolutely beautiful experience. The metaphors you use to describe great and cosmic plans and intentions of great societal achievement, contrasted with the lines that begin with, "BUT I dreamed we met for breakfast".... (the switch and the contrast is very powerful) what a tiny, common human thing: meeting over the sharing of food,. Then followed by, "I dreamed I held your hand"... human touch/connection, as though those two simple things are worth more than all the highest achievements of worldly fame, and material ladders climbed! Which they are. They so are. The rest of the lyrics continue to develop & express that idea beautifully. Then I listened to the sing, and although it is good as a song, For me, the words in themselves stand strong and impactful w/o anything else. Not to contrast them and say one is "better" than the other. Just that sometimes I see lyrics that stand alone, And just saying, these words do that very well. Gwyn Henry
My husband and I enjoyed that song thanks for the lyrics on Facebook.
Amazing song thank you for leaving the lyrics chords and that beautiful piano composition for us.
Glad to see that your spirit was not a victim of the virus.
short and sweet, i like it :)
Eerily simple and powerful
Good one! Sorry about Johnny. lol
Isn't that the truth, losing people every day.
Good one, I really like it!
I think we have all been there, really cute song!
Comments made by James Michael Taylor
What a universal little scene. Well told. Every little boy has to deal with that uncertainty. Will she? Sad it never changes for so many of us.
Pensive, maybe. But not dirgy. Just a little more voice in the mix please.
Dear Listener, Thank you for your comment. It's a brand new song and still being written. Your comment helps me figure out what needs to be done to make the song understandable. I read Siddhartha when I was young and tho it promised a beautiful mate it also promised the loss of that beautiful mate and ending life alone. For some reason that frightened me at the time and sure enough, 28 years with my beautiful mate and she walked out... FEATHERS IN THE WIND is about a high school girlfriend, dead now. But Keren is still alive. I look forward to hearing your music. j mt
Mix this with OSMPTS and I bet it would work.
Reminds me, right ff, of 50's tv music. Those great vocals again.
Love the vocal sound.
very sad...
Paul, PLease tell me the words of this. There are some I can't understand. My email is: jamesmichaeltaylor@jamesmichaeltaylor.com
This is one of the saddest must beautiful songs I have ever heard. Listening to it over and over. A love song to a love that has forsaken you. Yet you cling.Yet you hope. Yet you believe.
...bespeaks such loss of innocence. A real tearjerker because the betrayal seems so unanswerable.
Gorgeous. Lovely.
...another beautiful vocal and melody.
This really rings... Like it.All the energy and brightness and that little dip into darkness. And the cool guitar work at the end. j mt
Such clean acoustic guitar sound. Like the way it grows/builds...how the sound of the voice fills out. Cool voice and song. Starts to sound like the Beatles at the end.
The link to your web site isn't working for me.
Beautiful. Voice, voices.
This is beautiful.
...really like your story about your childhood at your web page...
Raw and Rockin'...
Beach Boys and Beatles showing thru...always good.