Walking these lonely streets alone Can’t find nobody to call my own Thinking of you, wondering where you’ve gone And wishing we could be together
Memories fading, still they linger on I’m watching the sunset, dreaming of the dawn Well, our love has passed, though not forgotten I’m wishing we could be together
We could be together
Call my own (x5)
Everywhere I go I still search for you Haunting all the places that we once knew Even though its hard, its all I can do Never find another love that’s half as true
There’s something I want to say to you
There’s something I want you to know
I’ve been so blessed to have you by my side
My source of strength, my joy, my pride
I’ve been so blessed to have you here with me. Oh…
Our love so deep; it lasts eternally
I’ve been so blessed to have you in my life
You as my husband, and I, your wedded wife
– By Anji Bee (BMI)
NOTE: This was one of those rare instances where I actually composed the lyrics after hearing the music. John sent me an instrumental titled, “Adore: Ambient Mix,” along with the comment: “The theme for the next Falling You album, ‘Adore,’ is a more optimistic one — that being, life isn’t always about being reflective and sad, and those we bring into our lives continue to enrich it even when they’re gone.” His working title and instructions inspired thoughts of my beloved and these lyrics sprung to life almost of their own accord.
“Cast Out Of Paradise” by Bloody Mary & SIS feat. Anji Bee from Potluck (2011)
All they ever wanted Was to be left in peace But western man Can’t seem to leave Well enough alone Foolishly He believes That he Can improve What God creates Man destroys On a whim And out of greed Without true need Acting out As if cast out Of paradise
– by Anji Bee (BMI)
NOTE: I wrote this poem back in mid-2008 without any particular use in mind. In January of 2011, Bloody Mary sent me a rough musical idea which was basically a strong beat with just a wisp of ambient keyboard atmosphere. I thought a mix of spoken word and traditional singing could be interesting and so I chose to work with a poem, rather than a lyric. I recorded everything myself in my little home studio and sent them over via the Internet, and then Bloody Mary and SIS cut up the files and created a 13+ minute track which really expanded a lot upon the original ideas. Below is a shortened edit of the song I created to highlight my contribution to the piece; its not on the official release.
“Love Will Turn Your Head Around (Radio Edit)” – Karmacoda feat. Beth Hirsch & Anji Bee Single (2011)
Love will turn your head around
Turn turn turn… Turn the lights down low, light a candle
Turn my stereo on
I’m turning circles, here by myself
Dreaming of turning you on
Love Dreaming of turning you on
Dreaming of turning you
Love will turn your head around
Turn turn turn…
You always give your very best away
And it doesn’t matter who can see
You’re the only one that counts for me
Love is holy
When the tension gathers all around
And you feel like something’s coming down
Hold your head up, walk your ground
Love is holy, love is holy
Love will turn your head around
Hanging with you, you’re a lyrical child
Taking your time on the miracle mile
Loving with you, you’re a lyrical child
Taking the time on the miracle mile
What do we want; its the tip of the tongue
Here with you now; its the song that we’ve sung
Love will turn your head around
Lighting up this place I keep
I can hardly get the sleep I need
I’m wondering if I can turn the eye in the storm
Love
Ritualized; its all I can be
Underneath a shrouding of me I wonder
If I, if I can turn, turn the eye
Long, it was so long
Love will turn your head around
Long, it was so long
And I will lay here
Ooh child
Don’t you stay, and I will lay here
Ooh
To calm your storms
Turn your head around
Stay here
I will play here Turning in circles
The eye of the storm
Ooh stay
Don’t you take it all Turning in circles
Ooh child
Of your calm
Inheriting your world’s what I seek
Turn your, turn your head around
Longing to the be the eye of your calm
Ooh ooh love Dreaming of turning you on
Turn your, turn your head around
Longing to be the eye of your calm Dreaming of turning you on
Ooh stay Dreaming of turning you
Eye of calm
Love will turn your head around
Ooh calm
The eye of calm
NOTE:This highly collaborative song began with some music and lyrics by B, of Karmacoda. Then I came up with my lyrics, inspired both by what he sang and the instruction he gave me to imagine what I might be doing late at night. Beth said she was inspired by my part to come up with her own, incorporating the “turn” concept into what would become the song’s title. And Heather wove her vocals seamlessly through all of our concepts, adding her own unique twist to the lyric. Finally, B had the gargantuan task of taking all of these various vocal bits and combining them to create one cohesive whole. No small feat!
“Try To Forget” – Lovespirals – 5 Years of Chillin’ (2011) + Love Me Leave Me LP (2013)
I’ve been thinking about my life
Wondering why its so filled with strife
Things should be easier than this
That is my wish, oh yes it is
Let’s get away
Just for today
Try to forget
Let’s get away
Just for today
Try to forget
When I lay in my bed at night
Wondering why nothing’s going right
Things should be easier than this
That is my wish, oh yes it is
Let’s get away
Just for today
Try to forget
Let’s get away
The Chillcast with Anji Bee: 5 Years of Chillin’
Just for today
Try to forget
Divided by the seasons
Divided by the tides
The days become the reasons
And the meanings of our lives
Divided by the seasons
Divided by the tides
The days become the reasons
And the meanings of our lives
Try to forget
Try to forget
— Anji Bee (BMI)
NOTE: This song was originally released under the Lovespirals moniker, but after work commenced on Anji’s debut solo album, the duo decided the single was a much better fit for ‘Love Me Leave Me’ than the next band album. The album version is subtly different than the compilation cut, as Anji and Ryan had upgraded their recording studio since the original recording, specifically in the effects chains. Listen closely for subtle differences in Anji’s vocal production, as well as the overall ambiance of the song.
“Put Some Music On” 5 Years of Chillin’ (2011), Out Of The Past by The Grooveblaster (2011), Put Some Music On Remixes EP (2012), Love Me Leave Me LP (2013)
Put some music on
Put out the lights
Put your cares behind
We’ll have a party tonight
Put some music on
Put out the lights
Put your cares behind
We’ll have a party alright
I’ll loosen my hair
You’ll loosen your tie
Let’s loosen up
We’ll laugh and drink some wine
I’ll loosen my hair
You’ll loosen your tie
Let’s loosen up
And have a real good time tonight
(repeat x3)
Note: These lyrics were originally penned in 2006 during a Lovespirals songwriting session. 2 versions of this song were created in 2010, the first one for The Grooveblaster and the second one for my debut solo album. I released by version first on the ‘5 Years of Chillin’ compilation, created to celebrate the 5th anniversary of The Chillcast with Anji Bee. Shortly thereafter, Grooveblaster’s album came out with his version. In late 2011, I began working with 3345 Music on a remix EP, which resulted in 2 excellent mixes by Intensity of Sound and one more by 3C. The original mix was also featured on my debut solo album, “Love Me Leave Me,” released in late 2013.
I feel him tug my heartstrings
His fingers pluck the melodies
Part of the cosmic fugue now
Melding into everything
Turn away our daily cares and
Let the music soothe our souls
And the notes that he’s playing
Combine with mine to make us whole
Music is magic
I feel it moving me
Music has the power
To set our souls free
Free
In the quiet of the night
All alone in our room
While the world is fast asleep now
He and I compose this tune
Music is magic
I feel it moving me
Music has the power
To set our souls free
Free
I feel him tug my heartstrings
His fingers pluck the melodies
Part of the cosmic fugue now
Melding into everything
Music is magic
I feel it moving me
Music has the power
To set our souls free
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
To set our souls free
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
To set our souls free
NOTE:These lyrics were originally written during Lovespirals’ 2001-2002 ‘Windblown Kiss’ writing sessions, inspired by an instrumental track by Sean Bowley. They were first set to music in May 2004, when I collaborated on a song idea with Chris Caulder, based around an old acoustic guitar riff by Ryan Lum that I found on a backup disc. Before the song was completed, Chris moved to another state and was without a studio for awhile, leaving the project in limbo. In February 2007, Ryan and I produced an abbreviated version of the song using Chris’ musical demo — adding Ryan’s guitar lead and my vocals — to use as the theme music for a short-lived podcast called Lovely Ladies. We are now completing a totally new recording of the song for my debut solo album with different music and updated vocal harmonies.
“Spring Raindrops” Giovanni Perini The Cinematic Sessions: Shanghai (2010)
Itandeiru
Watashi no
Aware na
Kokoro ga
Itandeiru
Watashi no
My poor heart
Oh how it is aching
Can you hear the sound
Of it breaking
Show pity on the one
You’re forsaking
Look at all the love here
Just for the taking
(repeat all)
– by Anji Bee (BMI)
Note:These vocals were originally recorded in 2008 for the CC Asia Band Creative Commons project. My vocal files were also made available to remixers on the CC Mixter site, where Giovanni downloaded them to create this new version. An abbreviated version of these lyrics are featured in the Plastic Chair song, “Dispersion,“ from 2003. My Plastic Chair partner, Chukimai, translated my English lyrics to Japanese.
Know ye not that this life is deceit?
Know ye not that enjoyment is illusion?
Know ye not the world is a passing show?
Know ye not that happiness is a dream?
Know ye not that praise and blame is insubstantial?
Know yet not that appearance is the mind itself?
Know yet not that the mind itself is Buddhahood?
Know yet not that the Buddhahood is the body of truth?
When ye reflect, all appearances are compacted out of mind
Contemplate the mind by day and night
From contemplation of the mind comes beatific vision
Abide in that beatitude
Know yet not that the mind itself is Buddhahood
Know yet not that the Buddhahood is the body of truth
Know ye not that the body of truth is truth itself
When ye meditate upon these things assiduously
Though ye do not succeed in rooting out desire and hatred
Know that whatever appears is your own mind-stuff
And that the mind itself is void
If ye dwell in wisdom inseparably
All the observances of the law, oblations, and the like
Are thus perfectly fulfilled
Know ye not that this life is deceit?
Know ye not that enjoyment is illusion?
Know ye not the world is a passing show?
Know ye not that happiness is a dream?
Know ye not that praise and blame is insubstantial?
Know yet not that appearance is the mind itself?
Know yet not that the mind itself is Buddhahood?
Know yet not that the Buddhahood is the body of truth?
Note: These lyrics are an adaptation of one of the Songs of Milarepa, a classic Tibetan Buddhist text. I recorded these vocals originally for the CC Asia Band Creative Commons project, where the song was called “Crossing The Pond.” My vocals were made available on the ccMixter site, where Benoit discovered them and created this version of the song.
(2010)