Inspired by a night’s stay in an apartment I was told was haunted. Furnished with antique-looking furniture, it included a wind-up record player with a battered 78 of “Wild Irish Rose” next to it. I was curious but I didn’t dare put it on for fear of what it would conjure up. I didn’t get a whole lot of sleep that night.

(chorus)

Sweet scent of roses, the oak floor creaks
Shadows on the high tin ceiling, a fiddle weeps
Through the open window, pale moonlight
Ghostly dancers at midnight

Rustle of crinoline, a silky white dress
Twirling around, across the floor they step
The faintest smile plays upon their lips
They lean closer in a kiss (to chorus)

Her sweetheart died beneath her father’s knife
She felt such sorrow, she took her life
They threw her lover into an unmarked grave
They find each other when the fiddle starts to play

[fiddle break]  (to chorus)

If you look closely you’ll see a woman’s form
Through suit and trousers, creased and worn
Her father’s anger could not keep them apart
Still they dance to the beating of their hearts

Sweet scent of roses, the oak floor creaks
Shadows on the high tin ceiling, a fiddle weeps
Through the open window, pale moonlight
Reveals two women, at midnight  

©2008 Jamie Anderson (BMI)

I lived in this wonderful town in the eighties and nineties. I miss it a lot. We spent a few winters there recently, in a little house across the street from open desert where we were able to experience the most wonderful sunrises. Recently we were getting ready to go back to Canada and the desert presented me with a sunrise bursting with color. I took a photo and posted it to social media with the caption “Last Tucson Sunrise.” Karen Reynolds, a wonderful songwriter, messaged me and said it sounded like a song. So I wrote it. Grateful to be able to sing it to her not long before she passed away. Thank you, Karen.

It starts as a single ray, gold spreads through the day
Ruby, fuchsia, bright blue
Morning silent as a prayer, smell the rain in the air
Time begins anew 

Pre-chorus

Another night undone, I turn toward the sun

Chorus

Last Tucson sunrise, teal, orange and pink
Last Tucson sunrise, will you remember me?

I see deer across the street, quiet as can be
A hawk glides in open blue
Saguaros glow in the light, quail and babies waddle by
Mountains blush like ingénues
(to pre-chorus and chorus)

Bridge

Doves are cooing, coffee’s brewing, I sit on the deck
I may travel far, but here is my heart, everything is perfect
(to chorus)

© 2025 Jamie Anderson (BMI)

I wrote this at the start of my career and when a fan requested that I re-record it I said no because it’s already on a couple of albums. But then I thought, if she likes it so much perhaps there’s something different I can do with it. James Stephens, my co-producer, suggested a string ensemble and here it is.

The way to a woman’s heart is through her lips
Through the shudder of her sighs and the motion of her hips
Through the softness of her thighs to that place between her shoulders
And if a woman wants her, do you want to hold her back?

Are you thinking ‘bout a woman you might like to see?
Look her deep in the eyes and say, slow dance with me
You know what you’re wanting, you might ask now
You can show her, then she’ll know how (that)

The way to your heart is through your lips
Through the shudder of your sighs and the motion of your hips
Through the softness of your thighs to that place between your shoulders
And if she wants you, do you want to hold her back?

I’m thinking ‘bout a woman who might take me home
Feed me dark chocolate and other sugar that she owns
I know what I’m wantin’, I’m asking now
I can show you so you’ll know how (that)

The way to my heart is through my lips
Through the shudder of my sighs and the motion of my hips
Through the softness of my thighs to that place between my shoulders
And if you want me, I won’t hold back

©1989 Jamie Anderson (BMI)

A few years ago I had the pleasure of opening for Holly Near. She was recovering from serious health issues. Holly told the audience what was going on with her, then added, “You live until you die.” I thought, That’s going in a song. Thanks, Holly.

This shirt fit better 20 years ago
My hair has gone from brown to gray
I fall asleep on the couch at 9
In my head, names and lyrics fall away
My winter coat doesn’t keep me from the cold
How did I get to be this old?

I’d rather read a book than go to a club
Though in my mind I’m still 18
Dancing all night like I used to do
Feels like a faded dream
I could’ve chosen an easier road
How did I get to be this old?

I’m not complaining, I’m wiser now
That’s worth a pile of gold
The years have brought me the greatest friends
Hell, we’re all getting old

When I start feeling sorry for my self
I take a breath and close my eyes
I remember all that’s good
I’ll simply live until I die
I don’t worry, there’s treasure to behold
How did I get to be this old?

©2023 Jamie Anderson (BMI)

What’s a Jamie Anderson album without a snarky breakup song? Thanks to Deb Whalen for this idea. I hope it’s not a true story for her.

I was weary of fighting and all of your lies
I was happy to say goodbye
Now you miss me, you say that you’re blue
Here’s what you can do

(chorus)

Call 1-800-bite me
You said you wanted to be free
I lost the house, the dog, and our friends
Now you’re back to make amends
Call 1-800-bite me

I discovered your affair
Cry to him, maybe he’ll care
I’m through, I’m D-O-N-E
The answer is clear you see (to chorus)

Did you see the billboard on I-95
I used the photo from your DUI
There’s ads on social media too
They’re sending the bills to you
Call 1-800-bite me

©2024 Jamie Anderson (BMI)

I belong to a great songwriter group where we give each other ideas for new songs. One month it was to write a song with a Latin feel. I had just learned a Cuban song for a student. I borrowed some of the chords and played them on the ukulele which sounded a bit like a cuatro (string instruments heard in various Latin American genres). I added a few Spanish words and made it a song about missing my sweetheart.

Sun dips low, orange sky
For you I’d drive all night
You are my compass, you lead me home
Tu ere mi Corazon, mi Corazon

Soon the dark is pinned by stars
Mi amor you aren’t so far
Bonita luna guides me home
Tu ere mi Corazon, mi Corazon

Oh oh oh … mi Corazon

Slowly comes the eastern light
A thousand shades of blue so bright
Soon your skin will feel my own
Tu ere mi Corazon
Tu ere mi Corazon
Mi Corazon

© 2020 Jamie Anderson (BMI)

For Mom.

When you’re my age and you see your friends
They pull out their phones, the bragging begins
Maria’s playing ball and Emma is a beauty
I’ve got pictures too but no grandkids for me
I don’t regret it, it’s merely fate
But if I’d been a mom, I would’ve been great

Gotta have a good teacher if you want to do it right
I certainly have one, she’s loved me all my life

She took in ironing to pay for my ballet
Still went to an office job almost every day
Money was tight but she always found a way
She praised me for the drawings I made on Mother’s Day
She kissed my knees after I fell
Surrounded me with love, I learned well

Gotta have a good teacher if you want to do it right
I certainly have one, she’s loved me all my life

Four kids, though we joked there were five
If it was up to Dad, would we be alive?
He was a kid himself while Mom kept us fed
Held us close when we were scared, made sure we went to bed

Gotta have a good teacher if you want to do it right
I certainly have one, I’ve loved her all my life

©2024 Jamie Anderson (BMI)

I was talking with a woman at a show when the conversation drifted to body image and how a lot of us gain weight as we age. She commented, “The curves are still there, we just widened the road.” I had to make that a song.

Hey old friend so much time has passed
We still drive though not as fast
Some things are the same though we’ve gotten old
The curves are still there, we just widened the road

Chorus:
Take it slow, there’s a drop off ahead
You’re still good, don’t let it get to your head
Age doesn’t matter, just so you know
The curves are still there, we just widened the road

She let herself go, they said, such a shame (well I think)
Fighting gravity is a fool’s game
Keep on moving with the flow
All that matters is to stay on the road (to chorus)

Bridge:
There are signs, don’t ignore ‘em
Though these ideas may be foreign
Accept who you are, you’ll go far
No matter the size of your car (to chorus)

© 2021/2024 Jamie Anderson (BMI) 

Photographs before me – weddings, parties, friends
Memories fall like water, then rushes around the bend

Sometimes it’s clear and blue, sometimes white with foam
Sometimes it’s simply how the river flows

It pushes down the mountain, forces boulders down
Tearing at the banks, turns the water brown

No longer clear and blue, now the danger shows
Sometimes it’s simply how the river flows

The sun illuminates my dark soliloquy
Saves me before I drown, the water washes me

Again it’s clear and blue, it leads me home
The river knows which way to go, which way to go

© 2021 Jamie Anderson (BMI)

I was thinking one day how we use “blue” to describe a sad emotion. Blue can mean wonderful things, too.

It’s the color of a robin’s egg
Forget-me-nots in summer light
A peaceful view of the earth from afar
An early morning sky
Sapphire and turquoise
Teal and everything bright

(chorus)
None of this touches me
When I’m far from you
It’s a different kind of blue

It’s a comfortable pair of jeans
A striking pair of eyes
A quiet winter evening
With Northern lights
Ocean blue and pretty birds
Blueberry pie (to chorus)

It’s the color of sorrow, the heartbreak of tears
That moment when goodbye is near

Bring me a brighter hue
When I’m far from you
I need a different kind of blue
A different kind of blue

©2018 Jamie Anderson (BMI)

This song languished in the back of a file cabinet because it stunk. I rescued it one day and re-wrote it.

So sweet and luscious, it feels good on my tongue
Whenever I’m down, I gotta get me some
I could have it every single day
I’m an expert, so listen to what I have to say

Chocolate is better than sex
Chocolate is better than sex

You can eat it in public and it always tastes good
You can smack your lips while strolling in your neighborhood
You can get it for a dollar at any grocery store
But for sex you’ll pay a whole lot more

Chocolate is cheaper than sex
Chocolate is cheaper than sex

Ask for what you need, no one says “What?!”
Eat all you want, no one calls you a slut
No boring dates in sleazy bars
You can eat it while driving and you won’t wreck your car

Chocolate is safer than sex
Chocolate is safer than sex

If you’re sad it’ll bring on the laughter
And no one moves in the morning after
Chocolate is easier than sex
Chocolate is better than sex
Chocolate is better than sex

© 2024 Jamie Anderson (BMI)

My brother and I are on opposite sides of the political spectrum. Conversations were hard until I realized there was a way we could communicate. So, like the song says, I suggested we play some songs at a family gathering. Now if I could only get him to vote differently.

We had fun recording this one. See if you can pick out the snippets of the songs I mention in the lyrics. There’s a pedal steel in the arrangement because Mom loves country music.

I read a lot, my brother likes to party
I drive a Mazda, he rides a Harley
We fight about politics and his ex
I plan ahead, he doesn’t care what comes next

Christmas is coming, family’s at Mom’s
I thought of a scheme that might keep us all calm
I said bring your guitar and I’ll bring mine
I’ve got a book of songs, let’s give it a try

Chorus:
Mom likes country so let’s do “Jolene”
Even if it’s in the wrong key
Maybe some Cash, Jones, and Pride
‘Cause when we’re playing, we can’t fight

“Jambalaya” and “Gentle on My Mind”
He even sang to “Closer to Fine”
I didn’t know he could sing harmony
He sounded great on “Stand By Me”
Some slow and mournful, some happy and fast
It was great to see Mom smile like that

She likes country so we did “Jolene”
Even though it’s in the wrong key
We played Cash, Jones, and Pride
‘Cause when we’re playing, we can’t fight

If it works for my brother and me
Grab a guitar and sing “Let It Be”
See what we can do for the world
When we’re busy singing “American Girl”

We could sing country, maybe “Jolene”
Even if it’s in the wrong key
Maybe some Cash, Jones, and Pride
‘Cause when we’re playing, we can’t fight

When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom
Let it be

©2023 Jamie Anderson (BMI) except the last section, an excerpt from “Let It Be,” by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, copyright Sony/ATV Tunes LLC, used with permission.