Get all 6 John Lester releases available on Bandcamp and save 25%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Just One Heart [Acoustic Mix], Fathers and Sons, Jazz?, So Many Reasons, Big Dreams and the Bottom Line, and Live at the Freight and Salvage Coffee House.
1. |
So Many Reasons
04:07
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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
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2. |
Steppin' Back in Time
03:28
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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
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3. |
Last Letter to Theo
04:52
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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
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4. |
Beware la Merde
03:18
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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
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5. |
Good Intentions
03:19
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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
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6. |
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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
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7. |
She and I
05:43
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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
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8. |
Fear Itself
05:16
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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
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9. |
Union Street
04:31
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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
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10. |
Rose Colored Glasses
04:03
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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
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11. |
Rainbow Over Megan's Bay
05:14
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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
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John Lester San Francisco, California
Award-winning singer-songwriter, bassist and multi-instrumentalist.
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