Track List
1.
If
Only She Knew
2. Sweet
Misery
3. Washing
Machine
4. I'd
Rather Be In Love
5. Paper
Pieces
6. Stewart's
Coat
7. I'll
Always Be Right There
8. Goodbye
To You
9. Second
Chances
10. Leap
Of Faith
11. *Special
bonus track!*
Broken
Bracelet
- The Story behind the album, in Michelle's words.
"In
July of 1998 I went to Phoenix, Arizona to see Lisa Loeb in
concert. I got to talking with one of her opening acts, Steve
Poltz. He was the guy who co-wrote "You Were Meant For Me" with
singer/songwriter/guitarist Jewel. After talking for a while,
he said, "Hold on. Let me get something." He came back with
a really beautiful bracelet and he insisted on giving it to
me.
He said that Jewel
had made it. I felt awkward and didn't really feel right taking
it. But he insisted and told me "Don't take this bracelet off!
When it breaks you're gonna be famous!" I kind of laughed at
the thought. And started to watch the concert. Six months later,
I ran into a man named Jeff Rabhan. I gave him a demo tape and
talked with him for awhile. When I got home after meeting Jeff
the bracelet broke off! I didn't know what too think. But it
IS peculiar that Jeff is now my manager, and if you're reading
this, I must be kind of famous."
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If Only She
Knew - Words and music by Michelle Branch
"This song is basically a whole situation I made up in my
head. This guy and this girl are best friends, but the girl
is convinced that it is more than friendship. She can tell that
he is very unhappy with his current girlfriend. So in the song
she is telling him how she feels, that she can tell he isn't
happy with his girlfriend, and she wishes that the girlfriend
knew about it - 'if only she knew.'"
I don't know whose side I'm takin',
but I'm not takin' things to well,
I can see inside you're ache'n,
but is it still too early for me to tell.
I try to help you out through the hardest of times,
your heart is in your throat,
and I'm speaking my mind,
though it looks as if it's over,
I'm still not over you,
If only she knew.
I try to let it go
but I don't know if I can take it,
Cause the way you looked at me made me see
that I can't really fake it.
I try to help you out through the hardest of times,
your heart is in your throat,
and I'm speaking my mind,
though it looks as if it's over,
I'm still not over you,
If only she knew.
I know she loves you and I can't interfere,
so I'll just have to sit back and watch my world disappear.
I try to help you out through the hardest of times,
your heart is in your throat,
and I'm speaking my mind,
though it looks as if it's over,
I'm still not over you,
oh I'm still not over you,
If only she knew.
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Sweet
Misery - Words and music by Michelle Branch
"I wrote this song a couple years ago, and to be honest,
I can't remember what made me write it, or what I thought it
meant. It started off as a slow ballad type song. Very acoustic.
Then when we went in to record it, we tried speeding the tempo
up a bit and it had this wonderful groove, so we kept it upbeat.
I do remember however, that during the bridge part when I sing
the 'oh's', I had some words there that we took out. During
that part I used to sing, 'When do you think it'll turn out
right, when do you think that I'll be right for you, for you-'
I'd say that it's about a girl feeling insecure about herself
and not feeling good enough for the guy."
I was lost,
You were found,
You seemed to stand on solid ground,
I was weak,
And you were strong,
And me and my guitar we strummed along.
Oh, Sweet Misery you cause me,
That's what you called me,
Sweet Misery you cause me,
I was blind,
But oh how you could see,
You saw the beauty in everything,
everything and me.
Oh, Sweet Misery you cause me,
That's what you called me,
Sweet Misery you cause me,
And in my heart I see,
What you're doing to me,
And in my heart I see,
Just how you wanted it to be,
Sweet Misery.
Oooh---
Oh, Sweet Misery you cause me,
That's what called told me,
Sweet Misery you cause me,
And in my heart I see,
What your doing to me,
And in my heart I see,
Just how you wanted it to be,
Sweet Misery.
I was weak,
And you were strong,
And me and my guitar we strummed along.
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Washing Machine
- Words and music by Michelle Branch & Jenifer Hagio
"'My feelings need to be said...' - I think that line pretty
much sums it up. I wrote this song with my best friend/band
mate Jenifer Hagio who is just an amazing musician as well as
lyricist. We wrote it in a matter of 15 minutes or so. It's
about needing to speak out about your feelings because it's
pretty frustrating sometimes, especially when nobody listens
to you."
Your eyes they look so bright,
a funky flair in my appetite,
but there's no room for you,
my feet are on the ground,
and my head is in the clouds,
but you still can't break through,
whatcha gonna do.
I'm not just gonna stand around,
Waiting for my lips to be read,
falling through the cracks in the ground,
my feelings need to be said.
Flowing like water in a crimson melody,
the orange plastic sun is shining,
and the truth so hard to see,
the rain of your existence if falling down on me,
and the soap suds spread like a disease from my washing machine.
I'm not just gonna stand around,
Waiting for my lips to be read,
falling through the cracks in the ground,
my feelings need to be said.
I'm not just gonna stand around,
waiting for you,
falling through the cracks in the ground,
and I'm hoping that you'll make your next move,
that you'll make your next move...
I'm not just gonna stand around,
Waiting for my lips to be read,
falling through the cracks in the ground,
my feelings need to be said.
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I'd Rather
Be in Love - Words and music by Michelle Branch
"'Who wouldn't, right?! Well, I suppose there are some people
out there who wouldn't want to be in love, but I know I do!
This song is about not being able to fight love, it always wins,
so you might as well just give in to it."
I cannot help it,
I couldn't stop it if I tried,
the same old heart beat fills the emptiness I have inside,
and I've heard that you can't fight love so I won't complain,
cause why would I stop the fire that keeps me going on.
Cause when there's you,
I feel whole,
and there's no better feeling in the world,
but without you,
I'm alone,
and I'd rather be in love,
with you.
Turn out the lights now,
to see is to believe,
I just want you near me,
I just want you here with me,
and I'd give up everything only for you,
it's the least that I could do.
Cause when there's you,
I feel whole,
and there's no better feeling in the world,
but without you,
I'm alone,
and I'd rather be in love,
yes I'd rather be in love,
with you.
And I feel you holding me.
Why are we afraid to be in love,
to be loved,
I can't explain it,
I know it's tough,
to be loved.
And I feel you holding me.
Cause when there's you,
I feel whole,
and there's no better feeling in the world,
but without you,
I'm alone,
and I'd rather be in love,
oh I'd rather be in love,
yes I'd rather be in love,
with you.
And I feel you holding me.
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Paper Pieces - Words by Michelle Branch
Music by Michelle Branch & Will Golden
"The person singing finds a love letter that she thought
was for her but really was supposed to be for someone else.
She rips it up and realizes that it wasn't love all along."
Dada duda duda duda duda du dada duda dada
dada duda duda duda duda du dada duda dada
Called your name today but no one answers any more,
you turned and ran away like someone came and locked the door,
paper pieces lyin' on the floor,
I fall to pieces now the coffees' black and my heart is sore.
*Pick me up tape me together, dadadadada-
like paper pieces on the floor.
Dada duda duda duda duda du dada duda dada
dada duda duda duda duda du dada duda dada
Since you left that day I've realized my minds made up on you,
my heart is capsized and I don't know what I'm gonna do.
*Pick me up tape me together, dadadadada-
like paper pieces on the floor.
Pick me up tape me together, dadadadada-
like paper pieces on the floor,
paper pieces on the floor :
and I call out to you,
oh, but you turn,
yes you turn away-
Dada duda duda duda duda du dada duda dada
dada duda duda duda duda du dada duda dada
Called you name today but no one answers any more.
*Pick me up tape me together, dadadadada-
like paper pieces on the floor.
Pick me up tape me together, dadadadada-
like paper pieces on the floor,
Pick me up tape me together, dadadadada-
like paper pieces on the floor,
paper pieces on the floor
(call me,call me, call me, call me)
Dada duda duda duda duda du dada duda dada
dada duda duda duda duda du dada duda dada
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Stewart's Coat - Words and music by Rickie Lee Jones
"I really don't know what this song is about because I didn't
write it. It's a Rickie Lee Jones song. My interpretation is
that it's about a dog that had died. Who knows. I guess I'll
have to ask Rickie sometime."
Hold me love,
I can't sleep again,
will I have to kiss your nose,
I wanna lay here next to him,
love,
I remember walking in the rain,
rain was falling on my hands,
I don't wanna live through that again,
no.
I know it takes
love,
love is a healing thing,
when you give everything,
you're loving the world,
the world gives you love to hold onto,
remembering,
we seldom remember love.
Just give me many
chances,
I'll see you through it all,
just give me time to learn to crawl.
In September,
when the rain comes,
and the wind blows,
I will see you walking in the coat of,
If you let me,
I will keep you here inside the stars,
I will love the salt on my sheets, oh you'll love me.
Just give me many
chances,
I'll see you through it all,
just give me time to learn to crawl,
time to learn to crawl,
time to learn to crawl,
time to learn to crawl.
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I'll Always Be Right There - Words
and music by Michelle Branch & Jenifer Hagio
"This could be a love song, but it's mainly a song about
friendship. Jenifer and I also wrote this one together. We were
at our old high school in the music room, and I just started
playing the piano and we both came up with the lines. It's one
of my favorites to sing because I get to really belt it out."
When you're all alone,
and you need a light,
someone to guide you through the night,
just remember that I am here,
to hold you close and dry your tears.
Oh-ooh
And just when you
thought you were falling,
but you know I'll always be right there.
When you're all
alone,
and you need a friend,
someone to help you to the end,
when you need someone to catch you when you fall,
I'll be there through it all.
oh-oh
Cause just when
you thought you were losing,
but you know I'll always be right there.
And I'll be there
through the good times,
and the bad,
and we'll be there for each other,
cause you're the best friend I've ever had.
And just when
you thought you were falling,
but you know I'll always be right there.
oh-oooh whenever you need me,
I'll always be right there.
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Goodbye to You - Words and music by Michelle Branch
"This one is my favorite of all of my songs and the most
personal. It's about finally giving up on a person you liked
after three years of trying. It's my favorite to perform live
as well."
Of all the things
I've believed in,
I just want to get it over with,
tears form behind my eyes,
but I do not cry,
counting the days that pass me by.
I've been searchin'
deep down in my soul,
words that I'm hearin' are starting to get old,
it feels like I'm starting all over again,
The last three years were just pretend,
and I say-
*Goodbye to you,
goodbye to everything I thought I knew,
You were the one I loved,
the one thing that I tried to hold on to.
I still get lost
in your eyes,
and it seems that I can't live a day without you,
closing my eyes,
and you chase my thoughts away,
to a place where I am blinded by the light,
but it's not right.
*Goodbye to you,
goodbye to everything I thought I knew,
You were the one I loved,
the one thing that I tried to hold on to.
Hold on to...
and it hurts to want everything and nothing at the same time,
I want what's yours and I want what's mine,
I want you,
and I'm not giving in this time.
*Goodbye to you,
goodbye to everything I thought I knew,
You were the one I loved,
the one thing that I tried to hold on to-
Goodbye to you,
goodbye to everything I thought I knew,
You were the one I loved,
the one thing that I tried to hold on to.
Oh, oh woah,
and when the stars fall I will lie awake,
you're my shooting star.
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Second Chances - Words and music by Michelle Branch
"This song was written for my older brothers' friend. He
got in a car accident when he was driving drunk. It really made
me upset because I know it happens a lot to young people and
their lives and their families lives are forever changed. Originally
we thought he was going to be paralyzed from the neck down,
but these days he is slowly starting to learn how to walk again.
Sometimes you get second chances, and you're pretty lucky if
you do. "
Sometimes we get
second chances,
sometimes we never make it past the first,
it really makes me wonder why some things happen when they do,
it really makes me wonder why it wasn't me instead of you.
And when you say,
it doesn't matter,
well it does,
and all it takes is a mistake to eat your words,
just one more time I think I'll drive on home tonight..
Sometimes we never
see the warning,
and the voice in your head tells you not to go,
it really makes me wonder why some things happen when they do,
It really makes me wonder why it wasn't me instead of you.
And when you say,
it doesn't matter,
well it does,
and all it takes is a mistake to eat your words,
just one more time I think I'll drive on home tonight..
And when you look,
it's gone,
it's too late to turn around,
and it's another day facing yourself and the things that you've
done,
woh-oh-oh-oh-ohhh
And when you say,
it doesn't matter,
well it does,
and all it takes is a mistake to eat your words,
just one more time I think I'll drive on home tonight..
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Leap of Faith - Words and music by Michelle Branch
"This song was actually inspired by my Grandma who passed
away when I was ten years old. I always felt a strong bond with
her. For a while I was having a hard time believing that even
though she was physically gone, she was still with me in my
heart. This is about having to believe in something that you
can't always see and doesn't always seem very logical. This
can be anything. But it definitely took a leap of faith to be
doing what I am doing."
One less call to
answer,
feeling full of despair,
don't think I can get through it,
just one last prayer.
*And it's a leap
of faith,
when you believe there's someone out there,
it's a leap of faith when you believe that someone cares, oh,
and when I call out to you,
will you be right there,
right there.
Searching for the
answer,
nobody seems to care,
Oh how I wish that you were here,
beside me,
to wipe away my tears.
*And it's a leap
of faith,
when you believe there's someone out there,
it's a leap of faith when you believe that someone cares, oh,
and when I call out to you,
will you be right there,
right there.
Waiting for the
answer,
remembering times we would share,
somehow I feel you here beside me,
even though your not there.
*And it's a leap
of faith,
when you believe there's someone out there,
it's a leap of faith when you believe that someone cares, oh,
and when I call out to you,
will you be right there-
Bridge:
Right there---
And I'll be waiting by the window for your smile to come through,
and I'll be waiting in the darkness when I call out to you,
and I'll remember when you told me,
I could trust in you-
*And it's a leap
of faith,
when you believe there's someone out there,
it's a leap of faith when you believe that someone cares, oh,
and when I call out to you,
will you be right there-
It's a leap of faith,
and I believe that you are out there,
it's a leap of faith and I believe you truly care, oh,
and when I call out to you,
I know you'll be right there,
right there,
and it's a leap of faith.
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Special Bonus Track - Sweet Misery Acoustic
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