BACK TO LYRICS INDEX
Leaves Me Nothing
ShannonCampbell-LeavesMeNothing.mp3 | 6.13MB
The Story
I've had two relationships that resulted in 'shacking up' in my life, and this is about the second. We loved each other very much, but I could never find a way to connect, and I never felt truly understood. That's a hard place to be, emotionally, and the break-up took more of a toll on me than I ever thought it would. This song came months after the end, and was months in the writing - I spent more time on this one than I have on any other song. And it's probably my favorite, although the pride is bittersweet.
Nathan & I recorded this one a
couple of different times, there's some live versions, and there's a version
with Kerstin Hanson on keyboards, singing a second harmony part, that I really
wish still existed. This is the one we did in-studio with Grant Walker.
The Lyrics
I guess it's time
that you and I lay down our arms
and pretend we're not at war tonight cause I
I'm so tired of trying not to love you like this
like my life's depending on it
and can you understand
it's hard to find these words for you
without a guitar in my hands
and I know I've made mistakes
but this is not the one I care to make again
so try and understand for me
I've given all I can to you
and try and understand for me
it was sometimes more than I wanted to
but now you can't ask me to change
when I've always been this way until now
I guess we're done
you've said the things you need to say
so I take a breath and turn away
and try to hold my tongue
cause I know I sometimes talk too loud
and I know I often stand too proud
but is it now that you want me to change my mind
throw caution to the wind instead
of doing all the things I always said
I'd never do for you and I could never be
I can't love you like they do in dreams
in fairy tales and on movie screens
chorus
I could always find my middle ground somehow
but my covenant has come unbound
and I find myself beside myself
looking far too much like someone else
so I let you go
and I've tried to make some sense of things
but my clarity is leaving me alone
once more
seems like when I fall in love
well this is just the way these things end up
so I'll try and remain the same
as I always told you that I would
as if it's ever done me any good
but it's the one lie I've not had to live
so I guess that counts for something
even if it leaves me nothing
chorus
ShannonCampbell-LosingTouch.mp3 | 3.58MB
The Story
Nathan did an exquisite job finding the pockets instrumentally in this song. Plus, his entire guitar line is finger-picked bar chords, which blows my mind. That boy's got some strong fingers. You can read more about the writing of the song and hear the version recorded with Folk You Harder right here.
The Lyrics
some nights I got trouble sleeping
and some nights I just dream
some nights you can hear me singing softly
and waiting for you patiently
some nights I can hear the freight train running
and it stirs me from my bed
and even though you're gone I can still feel you breathing
and it scares me to death
cause you're not the one
who's supposed to be haunting me
I never knew a person could wrap me up so tightly
that I wouldn't feel the need to see
that you'd wrapped me up in moments and wrapped me up in wishes
and you'd stolen something sacred from me
but of all of the things you took when you left
it's the tenderness that I miss the most
cause it's harder to smile than it's been in awhile
and the world feels a little too close
but you're not the one
who's supposed to be haunting me
and I'm not the one
who's suppose to be missing you
and all of these things shouldn't have me losing touch
but they do
now there's a bottle in my hand and a song in my head
and neither one is setting me free
there's nothing you can say and nothing you can do
so maybe you should just let me be
cause I'm waiting on a train to come running through my dreams
and take me back to where I belong
that's far from your arms but it's close to my heart
cause loving you, well it made me strong
chorus
Oblivion [ Back to Top ]
ShannonCampbell-Oblivion.mp3 | 4.74MB
The Story
A totally different take on the song from its original incarnation with Folk You Harder. Read more about its history, and hear that version right here.
The Lyrics
well this is one more night on the other side
the other side of foolish pride
where we live our lives until we die
'cause the rest has all been done
where we drink our troubles off our minds
trade shots for stories just to pass the time
'cause nothing helps a girl unwind
like oblivion
I've got words for days and songs for years
I've got a bottomless box where I keep all my fears
a million places I'd rather be than here
but I can't shake free
of the feeling that I've come undone
that I fought my demons and the demons won
that I can't put my faith in anyone
anyone but me
but all my heroes are dead and gone
and my excuses are wearing thin
and all the truths I've placed my better days upon
well they are changing again
chorus
life may be weightless but I'm pinned down
two feet firmly planted on the solid ground
and nothing escapes me but the tortured sound
of a breaking heart
and it might be yours but it might be mine
I guess it doesn't really matter where you draw the line
'cause we're all broken bodies waiting for the time
to fall apart
chorus
Playin' In the Band [ Back to Top ]NathanDavis-PlayinInTheBand.mp3 | 4.25MB
The Story
A Nathan Davis original, offered here by permission of The Man himself. (No, not
God. Nathan.) I loved this song from the moment I heard it, and it was like a
Christmas present to be able to play and sing back-ups in the studio on this
one.
NathanDavis-LongWayHome.mp3 | 3.54MB
The Story
Another Nathan Davis tune, also offered here by permission. This song was a true beast in the studio, layering vocal track upon vocal track to get just the effect we could both hear in our heads. Nathan mapped out the bridge vocals beautifully, and to this day it's still one of the things I'm most proud of.
Bittersweet [ Back to Top ]
NathanDavis&LostCauseBittersweet.mp3 | 4.89MB
The Story
Nathan had played with the drummer and bass player completing Lost Cause a
zillion times over a zillion years, but this recording is from the first (of
two) shows I played with a full band. Ever. Man, that was a blast. This song is
a Nathan Davis original.
Shannon&Nathan-Bartender.mp3 | 5.51MB
The Story
A cover of one of our favorite Dave Matthews Band songs. I remember when the Lilywhite Sessions came out, and everyone I knew was absolutely shocked that an album with songs like "Bartender" had been pushed aside to release the crap on "Everyday."
Back on the Train [ Back to Top ]
Shannon&Nathan-BackOnTheTrain.mp3 | 4.40MB
The Story
Any Phish fan will know right off the bat that this version sounds nothing
like the original. I love it when that happens.
Shannon&Nathan-Iowa.mp3 | 5.63MB
The Story
A Dar Williams cover, and my personal favorite of all of her material. When Nathan picked up "Out There Live" and popped it into the CD player, we both knew we'd have to do this cover.
Wasteland [ Back to Top ]
Shannon&Nathan-Wasteland.mp3 | 6.62MB
The Story
A James McMurty cover, and definitely a little rusty around the edges. But you get a real sense of what Nathan & I were like live by listening to this song.
You Mama You [ Back to Top ]
Shannon&Nathan-YouMamaYou.mp3 | 3.98MB
The Story
I played this song one night at a party, and not only did Nathan go out the very next day and buy Jude's "No One Is Really Beautiful" CD, he demanded that we cover this tune live. It definitely turned some heads. Usually ours.
Oblivion [ Back to Top ]
ShannonCampbell&LostCause-Oblivion.mp3 | 4.74MB
The Story
Hey, check it out -- yet another version of Oblivion! This one's full band, though, and even though we played it light years faster than we should've, I still like listening to it. So I thought you might like to listen to it, too.