We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

So Many Reasons

by John Lester

supported by
Steve Lawson
Steve Lawson thumbnail
Steve Lawson Another amazing record from John Lester - richer arrangements than Big Dreams... but no let up in the amazing song-writing. There are so many of life's up and downs that bring to mind lyrics from this album. Another must-have. Get it. Favorite track: Both a Blessing and a Curse.
/
1.
So Many Reasons words and music by John Lester Why would I point To just one star in the sky When the host of heaven is here in view And why would I take Just one jewel from a diamond mine When I could give every precious stone to you There’s so many reasons I feel the way that I do Ask me I’ll answer But I’ve just got time for one or two If you really want to know why It’s gonna take a whole lifetime because There’s so many reasons I love you Why did Monet Paint the very same cathedral every single day Because he always seemed to see it in a different light And why did Coltrane Give his soul to the solo of each coming refrain When every other time that he played through he got it right There’s so many reasons I feel the way that I do Ask me I’ll answer But I’ve just got time for one or two If you really want to know why It’s gonna take a whole lifetime because There’s so many reasons I love you If we only see Each new moment in time towards eternity Then every new beginning I would like to start with you again And in each coming day When you ask me why I love there’ll be so much to say That this story that I tell is never really gonna end There’s so many reasons I feel the way that I do Ask me I’ll answer But I’ve just got time for one or two If you really want to know why It’s gonna take a whole lifetime because There’s so many reasons I love you ©John Lester
2.
Steppin’ Back in Time words and music by John Lester I went walking one afternoon Down on Oxford Street with not much to do I some jazz music, stopped me in my tracks Sounded so sweet I had to double back I followed a drummers rhythm on down One flight of steps ‘neath old London town There was a sea of old fogies spending pension pounds Buying up drinks and just diggin’ the sound And the band was swinging A saxophone was singing The leader really had his hold of the room I mean that cat was calling the tunes He sang Sinatra, some Nat King Cole The piano hit a stride just like Jelly Roll I bellied to the bar, I was feeling fine Just stepping back in time Then I saw this old lady ‘bout 85 She was bopping her head to the jump and jive From the look in her eye she was caught in a craze And then I had a vision of her glory days A brown haired beauty of 23 I’ll tell ya that bird was something to see Out on the town to dance and dine And all the young lads were just forming a line And the Basie band was pumpin’ Man that joint was jumpin’ From in my dream I heard a voice say It said hey Jack get outta the way I saw her and a partner own the dance floor They were cutting the rug as the crowd called for more I could see it so clear, she was back in her prime Just steppin’ back in time…and the band went… With that upright bass just thumpin’ Man that beat was somethin’ When I awoke from out of my dream There I was hangin’ at the 100 Club scene I left the joint with a smile on my face All those gray haired geezers just owning that place Every Friday they’ll all be feeling fine Just steppin’, yeah, steppin’, back in time ©John Lester
3.
Last Letter to Theo lyrics and music by John Lester Dear Theo there’s just one thing that’s left to say But I speak for many who stand before these works today We know you’re the one Who saw the light in Vincent’s sun So thanks for standing by him every step of the way You understood his anger And you comforted his pain At times you kept him fed put a roof over his head And for a while you kept him sane In a life so lonely You held out your open hand When all the others turned away You were there to understand So dear Theo there’s just one thing that’s left to say But I speak for many who stand before these works today We know you’re the one Who saw the light in Vincent’s sun So thanks for standing by him every step of the way Trapped within his darkness He used a thousand shades of gray From the peasants and the land he grew to understand All the rules he’d later throw away For with a gentle whisper You said let the paintings shine So through the years he gave color to the tears Of a man before his time So dear Theo there’s just one thing that’s left to say But I speak for many who stand before these works today We know you’re the one Who saw the light in Vincent’s sun So thanks for standing by him every step of the way Now the soul in the self-portrait Still hides behind his distant eyes But the love that he felt for God and man Surrounds us all with his swirling skies So dear Theo there’s just one thing that’s left to say But I speak for many who stand before these works today We know you’re the one Who saw the light in Vincent’s sun And while your brother searched to speak for God above You sent him letters and you sent him love Thanks to you dear Vincent is still preaching today ©John Lester
4.
Beware La Merde words and music by John Lester There’s a place where beauty resides It’s so well refined and so full of pride I took a trip thought I’d have a look So I set out dans la rue With my Paris tour book But there’s one thing my guide forgot to say You’d better watch your step along Les Champs Elysees Beware la merde it’s everywhere Beware la merde Better watch your step or you’ll end up in la merde Some advice should you head to that town Keep one eye on the sites, the other on the ground Let your first lesson in laissez-faire Be that Parisians let their pooches go ‘bout anywhere Perhaps it’s part of the French mystique But they wouldn’t be caught dead carrying un sac plastique Beware la merde it’s everywhere Beware la merde Better watch your step or you’ll end up in la merde I’m not kidding You might end up skidding If you make the wrong decision and where flat bottom soles When my baby turns the corner I scout it out and warn her I say oh girl those new French shoes are it But if you don’t alter your direction they’ll be covered in… Beware la merde it’s everywhere Beware la merde Better watch your step or you’ll end up in la merde Now take that walk along the Seine But go après le chien And you will reach la tour Eiffel With a very unpleasant smell On your way to the Louvre You better watch your every move and When you walking don’t get lost in your map Give your feet your full attention or you’ll end up in… Beware la merde it’s everywhere Beware la merde Better watch your step or you’ll end up in la merde ©John Lester
5.
Good Intentions lyrics and music by John Lester You couldn’t hear me Because I wouldn’t lie And you only ask me questions After making up your mind And though I’ve given You just get my mistakes And you turned away my offers To say that all I do is take But one thing you can’t do Is say my good intentions weren’t true One thing you just can’t do Is say my good intentions weren’t true It’s not that I didn’t notice Or didn’t mind That our lives just went through changes Without it being your fault or mine But what you hold to That isn’t who I am So you just diminish and deny me Because I won’t fit into your plan But one thing you can’t do Is say my good intentions weren’t true One thing you just can’t do Is say my good intentions weren’t true I always thought that you could walk on water Now all your anger comes in waves But you’re the one who’ll have to drown your sorrows For all that’s left for me’s to turn away So now it’s over What’s done is done I won’t be picking up the pieces Because I’m tired of being the only one Who’d turn to truths that you’d erase Perhaps when I’m not there to answer Then yourself you’ll finally face But one thing you can’t do Is say my good intentions weren’t true One thing you just can’t do Is say my good intentions weren’t true ©John Lester
6.
Both a Blessing and a Curse words and music by John Lester I’m gonna tell you my stories Teach some lessons I have learned And I may brag about all my glories But I’ll confess the bridges that I’ve burned I’ll tell a joke to wipe the tears away If my sad songs make us cry Because I’ve got a heart that knows no hiding And it’s on a stage again tonight And I guess things could have gone better But I’m so thankful that they’re no worse This artist’s life is both a blessing and a curse Both a blessing and a curse You see my folks put me through college long ago After I pulled straight A’s in my high school But I fell in love with words and melodies Though they sometimes play me for the fool Now I’ve got all these stacks of pads of papers They’re full of dreams and tales I’ve told And though that paper isn’t money It’s making me rich as I grow old And I guess things might have gone better But I’m so thankful that they’re no worse This artist’s life is both a blessing and a curse Both a blessing and a curse Every time I loose I gain a song And a brand new way to right what once was wrong And like a child they’re sometimes weak But sometimes so strong And here on this stage tonight They’re all home safe where they belong Well all I can tell you now is what I know But somewhere along the line my life became this one man show And though he’s my friend and sometimes also he’s my foe I set my soul down every single night In the very first row And he says I guess things might have gone better But I’m so thankful that they’re no worse This artist’s life is both a blessing and a curse Both a blessing and a curse Well tonight under these soft stage lights Tonight has been the blessing ©John Lester
7.
She and I 05:43
She and I words and music by John Lester What if love has a hundred incarnations And what if love is an end without a means I don't believe in a wrong or a right Just a whole lot of lessons I can draw from my life That bring me one step closer to find She and I She and I What if a woman’s been waiting all these lifetimes And what if this woman could just tap into my design Then I'd tell her that I'm waiting outside Under a big golden sun that's been lighting up my life And I know that now is the time, for She and I She and I On and on our souls will roam Unless we find this present time Our love we may never know On and on our souls will roam Unless we find this present time Our love we may never know What if love is constantly around me And what if love is the very woman that I seek She's mother earth and I'm the man in the moon In my cold cold winter she keeps flowers in bloom Because summer is the state of mind for She and I She and I On and on our souls will roam Unless we find this present time Our love we may never know On and on our souls will roam Unless we find this present time Our love we may never know She and I She and I ©John Lester
8.
Fear Itself 05:16
Fear Itself words and music by John Lester Fear Itself has always been here with us For Fear Itself has had a job to do Fear Itself’s an obstacle to overcome But Fear Itself can help us test who’s true And Fear Itself is here to keep us healthy For Fear Itself leads us away from pain Fear Itself lets us know that we were enlightened For Fear Itself brings on the night again There’s been a balance set throughout the years A set of rules to which we should adhere But Fear Itself had a dark attraction So Fear Itself set out upon a quest When Fear Itself found out how much we like to tempt our fate Then Fear Itself did what it likes to do best Fear Itself used it’s bad boy image Fear Itself the temptress turned our heads But Fear Itself just waited ‘til we were all grew up Before Fear Itself crawled out from under our beds Peace and compassion are what we hold dear Love conquers all is what we want to hear But Fear Itself became a favorite pastime And Fear Itself wrote some books we read Now Fear Itself catches nightmares on a video And Fear Itself can get ‘em on TV Fear Itself learned how to sell a newspaper Then Fear Itself became a talking head When Fear Itself got a color coded terror chart Then Fear Itself used only shades of red A fairy tales been told throughout the years And so we wait ‘til shining knights appear Because Fear Itself could never stop the firemen Nor Fear Itself halt the few, the proud So Fear Itself just learned to sneak around behind our backs Where Fear Itself never speaks too loud Now Fear Itself can pass right through the X-ray So Fear Itself’s already gone worldwide Fear Itself will never need a passport Because Fear Itself’s already on the inside It doesn’t need a master engineer To spread itself to every hemisphere Because Fear Itself can make us turn from our allies When Fear Itself mutes their sage advice Fear Itself made us shun United Nations Because Fear Itself made us believe we’re right And Fear Itself shouted with us or against us So Fear Itself could make a great divide Then Fear Itself chipped away at our democracy While Fear Itself instilled a national pride Lead by examples how we should appear And yet in truth we’re only insincere Because Fear Itself didn’t have to get bin Laden Nor Fear Itself find a WMD Fear Itself just keep changing it’s objectives Because Fear Itself knows our short memories So Fear Itself only warns about the future So Fear Itself can just begin again Fear Itself knows how bad we want to win the peace So Fear Itself gave us a war with no end 10 million people made it very clear Yet were cast out as some mutineers Because Fear Itself got very good at politics So Fear Itself was very well prepared Fear Itself made the most of opportunities For Fear Itself to keep its public scared Fear Itself bought some very good advisors Then Fear Itself staked out our voting booths Fear Itself got it’s yes man re-elected Because Fear Itself said he could spin the truth It knows the promise that we want to hear But it’s our defense that brings the end so near And Fear Itself got in our organized religions When Fear Itself said we’re the only ones If Fear Itself preaches hell and our damnation Then Fear Itself has got us on the run Thus Fear Itself can turn us on our brothers But Fear Itself will never once confess That Fear Itself only wants to keep us fighting So Fear Itself tells every side their blessed To seek revenge we’re only blasphemers The word of God has just been commandeered But if Fear Itself is always right beside us Then to Fear Itself it’s time to call the bluff Because Fear Itself can always give us warning But to Fear Itself let’s say enough’s enough For Fear Itself we don’t need a secret weapon From Fear Itself we simply rise above Yes Fear Itself will always cower from it’s opposite Fear Itself will turn away from love It’s been said but now lets make it clear The only thing we really have to fear Is Fear Itself ©2005 John Lester
9.
Union Street 04:31
Union Street words and music John Lester Alice went to the movies But she couldn't afford the show She's waiting for the people and their pocket change They're floating out of the film world They're flowing all around this girl But they're unaware They remain unaware Of Alice ever being there Living out on Union Street Louis calls me the carpenter But that's what he would do If not for the bullets of the Viet Cong That cut him down in a field one day Left him as a debt for society to pay For Uncle Sam But thirty-five years and Uncle Sam Is saying Louis who He's living out on Union Street So many voices we try not to hear So many lives that just seem to disaapear But they don't disappear No they don't disappear They're living out on Union Street That one you better stand clear of I think he's got an evil steak His story's one you don't ever want to know A spirit caught him and it won't let go Now he's Lucifer's little side show And he wears it on his sleeve For everyone to see Right down on Union Street He's living out on Union Street Can't help living out on Union Street Living out on Union Street ©John Lester
10.
Rose Colored Glasses words and music by John Lester I bought me some rose colored glasses Now everything’s been looking up I bought me some rose colored glasses Now everything’s been looking up I’ve been walking out under the big bright sun Just filling up my lovin' cup Everything seems a little brighter Everytime I dawn my shades Everything seems a little brighter Everytime I dawn my shades But I don’t want to stand here and stare alone So I'm telling you about the purchase that I made I bought me some rose colored glasses Now everything’s been looking up I bought me some rose colored glasses Now everything’s been looking up I’ve been walking out under the big bright sun Just filling up my lovin' cup Now when God don't deal me no aces I'm still looking at a winning hand And there's a very very big pot of gold I think I gonna take my stash down to the corner stand and buy everybody some Rose colored glasses Then everyone will be lookin' up I'll buy everybody some rose colored glasses Then everyonewill be lookin' up We'll all be walking out into the big bright sun Watching every little thing that passes Walking into the big bright sun Watchin' every little thing, every little thing Walking into the big bright sun With our rose colored glasses ©John Lester
11.
Megan’s Bay words and music by John Lester There’s a rainbow Shining over Megan’s Bay A little gift from heaven A present on this wedding day To show us that this moment Will always be much more than a memory The blessing of a union Me to you You to me Our love it flows like the prophets sea It lets us both stand tall like the oak and the cypress tree And it rains in the sunset And it moves like the sand As it’s waves wash upon it Like the soft surf falling on this silver strand There’s a rainbow Shining over Megan’s Bay A little gift from heaven A present on this wedding day To show us that this moment Will always be much more than a memory The blessing of a union Me to you You to me You warm my soul like this tropic breeze Of my heart you have taken your hold But at the same time you set me free And how you shine in this moment Like I’ve not seen before I know our love it has no limits ‘Cause every single day I love you more and more And there’s a rainbow Shining over Megan’s Bay A little gift from heaven A present on this wedding day To show us that this moment Will always be much more than a memory The blessing of a union Me to you You to me Though we’re alone here together And we’re far from the ones we love All their hopes and prayers have come to us And they’ve been manifested in the sky above 'Cause there's a rainbow Shining over Megan’s Bay A little gift from heaven A present on this wedding day To show us that this moment Will always be much more than a memory The blessing of a union Me to you You to me Me and you You and me Look baby there’s a rainbow There’s a rainbow Shining over Megan’s Bay ©John Lester

credits

released June 15, 2006

Recorded at:
Studio 150, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Alchemy Studios, London, England
San Pablo Recorders, Berkeley, CA, USA

Mixed and mastered at:
LOUD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

John Lester - vocals, basses, and guitars
Bob Johnson - sax on "Rose Colored Glasses"
Theo Travis - flute on "Last Letter to Theo"
Paulo Baldi - percussion
Steve Rossi - drums
Robbert Scherpenisse - trumpet on "Steppin' Back in Time"
Bas van Lier - piano on "Steppin' Back in Time"
Lucian McGuinness - trombone on "Steppin Back in Time"
Vincent Beijer - background vocals
Kevin Edge - background vocals

All songs written by John Lester

Cover art from: "The Sower" by Vincent van Gogh
used with permission of: Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
[Vincent van Gogh Foundation]

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

John Lester San Francisco, California

Award-winning singer-songwriter, bassist and multi-instrumentalist.

contact / help

Contact John Lester

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like John Lester, you may also like: