songology
“Beneath my surface, a song is rising” - Indigo Girls
Here, I have posted the lyrics to every song I’ve ever written (60+ and counting!)
Enjoy!
2006 Songs
| 1. | Your Next Step | Your Next Step
© 2006 Ryan Mintz
VERSE 1: Hey, you know me, I write them sad songs And you need a sad song tonight Hey, I know you, you said to write funny songs Just shut up and deal with it, deal with what I write CHORUS: Cuz here I am sad for you But I think that it’s all for the best So tonight show your tears, we’ll look back in a year At how this pushed you… to your next step VERSE 2: You said, “We fight all the time, we had our problems But I thought it was all going fine” Well if that’s not a joke, then I don’t know funny Cuz I think you just gave the punchline REPEAT CHORUS So how can I be sad for you When I… BRIDGE: Please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying It’s your time to be sad, and you know I’d be too All I am saying is you’re strong and beautiful You will get through this as you have helped me to do too VERSE 3: How many times have you told me how busy You are with the house and your man? In the same breath, there’s no room for writing So go now and use it, use the freedom in your hands And follow your dreams as you planned REPEAT CHORUS How can I feel sad for you When I… |
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| 2. | 3 Fantasies | 3 Fantasies
© 2006 Ryan Mintz
CHORUS: Can I tell you a secret? I have 3 fantasies about you I don’t mind telling But you have to tell me too VERSE 1: 1… I want you to get on a plane with me to Europe, even though we just met tonight And we’ll spend the summer so far away from here The sun will wake us in our flat, we’ll practice music, and sit at the café That’s what I want That’s what I want REPEAT CHORUS VERSE 2: 2… I want to get a tattoo, and I want you to be there with me And maybe that piercing that I’ve been wanting too You look so fucking hot, I just can’t deal, and maybe I just want to be like you That’s what I want That’s what I want REPEAT CHORUS VERSE 3: 3… I want to spend every night with you before I leave But that wasn’t really 3, I just made that up right now I’d help you to stop smoking, write those words, and put those chords together That’s what I want… ENDING: That’s what I want That’s what I want That’s what I want |
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| 3. | The Monkey Song | The Monkey Song
© 2006 Ryan Mintz
VERSE 1: I saw it in your hotel room on that first night, the one thing that wasn’t quite right There was a mystery novel on your nightstand, snacks from the airport, your laptop and iPod So it kind of stuck out… this stuffed animal sitting on your chair And you said, “That’s my monkey, he keeps me warm at night” (and I say…) CHORUS: Let me be your monkey I’ll keep you warmer than he will He will not cook dinners or write you songs And I… I kiss much better than he does He does not feel for you like I do So let me be your monkey VERSE 2: There’s not many grown-ups who travel from home with a child’s toy Like wearin’ jammies on our second date, it says so much about you But I have to warn you: I’m the jealous type, that’s the way I am Cuz he’s the one who’s travelin’ with you all around while I just hold my pillow (so…) REPEAT CHORUS BRIDGE: So here we are inside this dreamy place (I feel so happy) But I’m finding that it’s hard to say goodbye (don’t want it to end) And I’m sorry that I’m havin’ trouble just enjoying this moment while we can VERSE 3: I know you’re not the one to share how you feel, but you can with me And I know that you were hurt not long ago, come here and I’ll hold you And I know your parents (just like mine) have a lot to answer for “not much love around just money and you know what they say ‘money cant buy love’” (so…) REPEAT CHORUS (2x) |
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| 4. | The Kiss We'll Never Know | The Kiss We'll Never Know
© 2006 Ryan Mintz
VERSE 1: You hopped on the train to Paris 24 hours after I did You said that you needed time away to think and see your family And oh… you wanted to kiss me (so started our…) CHORUS: 3 days in Paris We wanted that kiss so fucking bad And talked about it, dreamed about it, wrote about it, did everything but… Do you really think it’s for the best? Well I guess it’s the kiss we’ll never know VERSE 2: 2 of us are in this city, but 3 or 4 or more affected They’re the ones who keep us at our distance But the 15 inches we keep between us don’t seem like very much to me (during our…) REPEAT CHORUS BRIDGE: There were so many times it could have happened The night we walked along the Seine The Luxembourg Gardens, or facing the Notre Dame, The bridges where we said farewell, but… REPEAT PARTIAL CHORUS: Do you really think it’s for the best? Well I guess it’s the kiss we’ll never know, never know, never… ENDING: Do you really think it’s for the best? Well perhaps, it’s the kiss we’ll maybe know So we’ll see if this kiss we’ll ever know |
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| 5. | A Song Just Don't Exist | A Song Just Don't Exist
© 2006 Ryan Mintz
VERSE 1: A song just don’t exist to tell you how I feel I went searching through my iPod, but nothing did appeal To tell you that I’m flattered, and I kinda like you too But in this crazy moment, I don’t know what to do VERSE 2: A song just don’t exist to say I have a crush But since you have a boyfriend, it can’t amount to much So why you gotta come here to tease me like you do? I know you’re wanting something, but will you follow through? CHORUS: La la la la la – la la la la – la la la la La la la la la – la la la – la la la la la VERSE 3: A song just don’t exist to say the feeling’s strong And since we only have a week, let’s just play along We’ll act like we’re a couple, and we’ll do romantic things And though I hate this phrase, it’s gotta be “no strings” REPEAT CHORUS VERSE 4: A song just don’t exist to say I don’t love you But I really really like you, so I hope that’s okay too And this movie-style romance, well it really is a must So I’m giving in to it, and I am giving it to us REPEAT CHORUS VERSE 5: A song just don’t exist to say I’ll miss you so But I’m also really angry at how you had to go But I guess that it is perfect for this messy strange romance And you’ll always have the part of my heart I left in France VERSE 6 (second half only): For the things that I have taught you, this was the perfect end And you should know that you have taught me not to give up on love, my friend REPEAT CHORUS (2x) |
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| 6. | La Vie Après Paris (French) | La Vie Après Paris (French)
Alternate Title: The French Song
© 2006 Ryan Mintz VERSE 1: Paris, je ne peux pas croire Que c’est le temps de dire au revoir Je suis allé pour habiter comme parisien Mais comme qui j’habiterai prochain? CHORUS: La vie après Paris Je ne sais plus qui je suis Un voyageur? Ou un ecrivain de chansons? Ou tous les deux? On verra… dans ma vie après Paris VERSE 2: Paris, tu m’as donné Un sentiment de paix Je pouvais faire ce que voulais faire toutes les heures J’ai appris écouter mon coeur REPEAT CHORUS VERSE 3: Paris, je vais pleurer Car tu me manquerai La Seine par midi et les cafés par nuit m’ont donnés cet air Et là... je ne sais pas quoi faire (dans ma...) REPEAT CHORUS (2x) |
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| 7. | La Vie Après Paris (English) | La Vie Après Paris (English)
Alternate Title: The French Song
© 2006 Ryan Mintz VERSE 1: Paris, I can’t believe That it’s the time for me to leave I came to live like Parisians live, just for a bit So who do I live like after this? CHORUS: La vie après Paris I don’t know who I should be A traveler? Or a songwriter? Or maybe both? We will see… in ma vie après Paris VERSE 2: Paris, you gave to me A feeling of peace Cuz I could do what I wanted to do, no holds barred I learned to listen to my heart REPEAT CHORUS VERSE 3: Paris, I’m gonna cry Cuz it’s so hard to say goodbye Cafés by noon, and the Seine by the moon gave me this tune And voilà, I don’t know what to do (in ma…) REPEAT CHORUS (2x – 2nd time in French) ENDING: Après Paris TRANSLATION NOTES: La vie après Paris = Life after Paris Ma vie après Paris = My life after Paris Voilà = Voilà :) |
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| 8. | So Lovely | So Lovely
(Alternate Title: The Straight Guy Song)
© 2006 Ryan Mintz VERSE 1: I want to lay next to you in the grass by the river And rest my hand on your chest, pull your energy into mine And feel the sandpaper rough of your cheek with the back Of my finger, my finger down your face CHORUS: And though you don’t agree It would be… so lovely VERSE 2: So look in my eyes and tell me your stories And put them next to mine Let’s see how they play together Yeah, let’s play together REPEAT CHORUS BRIDGE: This has been the year of falling for the wrong kind of guy (Neil) (Roger) (Amin) (Sébastien) And you… the straight guy, and normally I don’t go for straight guys But with you, there was this energy, and it so confused me, and those around me Because even they could see, in your body, when you were next to me, but… REPEAT CHORUS (2x) VERSE 3: We’re standing in the black, black night, in our winter hats, with our leftover beers And our pant-legs are so close… and I almost think you want me Cuz there you go telling stories about all of the girls who you Just couldn’t stay with… but you can stay with me (tonight) REPEAT CHORUS (3x) ENDING: …So lovely |
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| 9. | Arapahoe Road | Arapahoe Road
© 2006 Ryan Mintz
VERSE 1: I’m packin’ up all my stuff Won’t need it for a while I’ve got brown boxes, some packing tape And a moving truck out on the drive Cuz it’s goin’ in a storage unit on Arapahoe Road VERSE 2: It’s 8x8 with a metal gate And a lock to which I hold the key So I take my backpack, guitar and laptop The rest… I won’t need So it’s time to hit that road with what I can carry CHORUS: Cuz I don’t have no house now And I don’t have no home But all I need is here with me The rest is in that box out on Arapahoe Road (out on Arapahoe Road) VERSE 3: I’m movin’ round to each new town This is how to be But every season I find a reason To swap a thing or three It’s a mighty long way to my closet, but that’s okay REPEAT CHORUS BRIDGE: And I… don’t want to be defined But what I own or what I buy And I like dreamin’ of the day I’ll settle down But I don’t need to worry bout that now REPEAT CHORUS ENDING: Out on Arapahoe Road Out on Arapahoe Road Out on Arapahoe Road Is it… Select, attain, collect, maintain Have, show, watch, use, wear Or… Connect, see, reflect, be Explore, grow, create, love, share |
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| 10. | Emily | Emily
© 2006 Ryan Mintz
VERSE 1: Emily sits at the bus stop in her shiny yellow dress Even the jet black panty hose can’t hide the bruises on her legs As the flesh burns on the street, she goes to take her seat It’s too late to rescue Emily VERSE 2: Emily needed a place downtown to shower between jobs Her studio on the east side is far too many stops And now Emily’s so tired, she missed her stop at Pershing Square It’s too late to rescue Emily CHORUS: It’s too late to rescue Emily Cuz the 20 stuck in her thrift store shoe won’t get her very far And it’s only in her dreams that she will make it in California It’s too late to rescue Emily VERSE 3: By the time she reaches her doorstep, the sky is liquid cobalt blue And the sirens keep her from sleeping as the daylight hits her room And Emily’s so lonely that the cockroach is her friend It’s too late to rescue Emily REPEAT CHORUS (Cuz the 20-pack of mac n’ cheese won’t get her very far) VERSE 4: Emily calls from a payphone with her only quarter left And Emily pierces my mind as I board the Greyhound west I don’t know how I’ll find her, but I’ll find her just in time Cuz… It’s not too late to rescue Emily REPEAT CHORUS It’s not too late to rescue Emily Cuz the 20-dollar one-ways can take us pretty far I’ll do everything I can to help you make it in California But right now, it’s time to rescue Emily ENDING: Yeah, it’s not too late to rescue Emily It’s never too late to rescue… |
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| 11. | My Will | My Will
© 2006 Ryan Mintz
VERSE 1: When I die, don’t dress me up in a suit (oh, no) When I die, just put me in my favourite jeans & t-shirt And when I die, it’s OK to cry for a bit But also dance and sing VERSE 2: When I die, please play my favourite music When it’s my time, please show the things that I made with my hands I don’t need fancy flowers or a speech from a man who don’t know me The ones I love could talk much better ‘bout me anyway CHORUS: Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm VERSE 3: When I die, I want my best friends to be the ones looking through my things Cuz there might be secrets that only they should find (mm mm mm) You don’t have to keep my stuff, but give it to someone who needs it And recycle all the rest BRIDGE: Then come together to celebrate life, yeah come together to celebrate life Come together to celebrate… your lives You can wear yellow or red, purple or green, to celebrate life You can tell stories, play games, or run through the trees, to celebrate life Just come together to celebrate life, oh celebrate life Come together to celebrate… your lives VERSE 4: When I die, I want you to go on living life But it would be nice if you would smile and talk about me, sing my songs And you can give my money to activists, artists, and animals (If there’s any left) REPEAT CHORUS (2x) ENDING: When I die, don’t come dressed in a suit (oh, no) When I die, just come in your favourite jeans & t-shirt |
Definitely, 2006 features my most exciting and mature songs to date. The lessons I learned at Song School are woven into these songs: image-based lyrics, rhythmic variety, and flowing melodies. This is the year I learned how to incorporate humour into my songs (to Meredith’s delight!) and wrote my first song in a foreign language.
Your Next Step was a message to a friend going through a breakup, and 3 Fantasies confesses unspoken desires felt towards a new crush. The Monkey Song is what Anna Maria calls my “hit song” and really jumpstarted the whole energy behind recording the demo and full-length CD (and you can see, it has made quite an impact on my whole visual theme!). The Kiss We’ll Never Know, A Song Just Don’t Exist, and La Vie Après Paris were written about some experiences while living in Paris for the summer. So Lovely is about having a crush on a straight guy, and was influenced by a lot of improv, vocal, and rhythm work I did at Song School. Arapahoe Road is an upbeat song about my life on the road while my possessions sit in a storage unit. Emily was a songwriting experiment twisted from a friend's story (I’m particularly excited that I finally get to join my songwriting heroes in writing a song titled after a female name! Take a look, they all have a "Mary" or "Jane" or "Annie" ... Oh yes, I have arrived). And My Will is a sweet ditty describing how I want my affairs handled when I die (no really, it’s uplifting, not sad!).
“Please be careful with me
I'm sensitive and I'd like to stay that way” - Jewel
