The album Kiss Me Hello
Find the the press release & bio info here.
Find a downloadable & printable Word document containing the lyrics & recording notes here.--
K R I S T I N A N D R E A S S E N
K I S S M E H E L L OProduced by Mark Schatz
Musicians:
Kristin Andreassen : voice, guitar, banjo, dancing & body percussion
Mark Schatz : bass, fretless banjo & some whistling
Jake Armerding : harmony singing
Rushad Eggleston : cello
Danny Knicely : guitar & banjo
Eric Merrill : violin & viola
Aoife O’Donovan : harmony singing & piano
Frank Russo : drums
Scott Senior : percussion
Oliver Steck : piano & trumpet
Ruth Ungar : harmony singing
Megan Downes : body percussion on “Crayola”
Kevin Enoch : triangle on “Pale Moon”
Kim Jones : tap dancing on “Dancin’ in My Sleep”
Del Puschert : saxophone on “Your Ex-Life Calling”
Sara Watkins : second violin on “Like the Snow”
& featuring Eileen Carson Schatz, Megan Downes, Danny Knicely, Neil Knicely, Mark Schatz & Oliver Steck as the “Hello Where Are You?” Choir.
All songs by Kristin Andreassen / Yellowcar Music, ASCAP.
Except: “Crayola Doesn’t Make a Color For Your Eyes,” by Kristin Andreassen & Megan Downes/Yellowcar Music, ASCAP & “Dancin’ in My Sleep,” ® 2002 Bob Lucas / Bellyboy Music, BMI. Administered by Integrated Copyright Group (ICG) Nashville, TN.
Arrangements by Kristin Andreassen & Mark Schatz.
String arrangement on “Like the Snow” by Mark Schatz.
Engineered by Mark Schatz at The Ranch (Davidsonville, MD).
Except: “Like the Snow,” recorded by Les Lentz at LSPstudio.com (Annapolis, MD). Vocals on “Crayola”, “My Crazy”, “Fly” & “Faith” were recorded by Eric Merrill. Ruth’s harmony on “Fly” was recorded by Jake Armerding. Other harmony vocals were recorded by Kristin Andreassen in Jamaica Plain, MA (381 Centre Street Tower of Song); West Hurley, NY (Humble Abode Studio A); and at the Holiday Inn Express in Brattleboro, VT.
Mixed and mastered by Bill Wolf at Wolf Productions (Arlington, VA).[ top ]
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A L B U M L Y R I C S
Crayola Doesn’t Make a Color For Your Eyes
by Kristin Andreasssen & Megan Downes / Yellowcar Music, ASCAP
I went to see the doctor. I’d come down with the blues.
She said “No, I can’t cure you, but I know something you can do.
Take out a piece of paper, and sit down for a while,
and draw a pretty picture of something that makes you smile.”
Well, I know what makes me happy. Didn’t have to think for long.
But when I tried to draw it, it always came out wrong.
I had a box of 12, 48 and 64,
but nowhere could I find that one shade I was looking for.
I guess I realized shoulda come as no surprise
Crayola doesn’t make a color for your eyes.
There is no way that I could possibly describe you.
Crayola doesn’t make a color to draw my love.
At first I thought of Green Blue, but then I saw Blue Green.
And then sometimes in bright light, they look Aquamarine.
I think at night they’re darker. I looked again for you.
Saw Grey and Black and went out walkin’ after Midnight Blue
But the hues of the deepest skies would be a compromise...
Chorus
Spring Green is much too yellow, Sea Green is far too pale.
Cornflower’s way too mellow, so I’ll try again and fail.
There’s no way I can capture the way you make me feel.
One look from you is rapture, whether Blue or Green or Teal.
No color qualifies. That crayon’s telling lies...
Crayola doesn’t make a color…
Hey look, it’s Periwinkle. So sure I got it now.
But you wink and there’s a twinkle in your eye and still, somehow,
I just can’t get that sparkle. Those glitter crayons won’t.
Maybe Glow-In-The-Dark’ll get it right. Aw, no they don’t.
Mr. Crayola tries, but I’m left to fantasize...
Crayola doesn’t make a color...
For your eyes, something darker let’s see what I can find.
Melted mahogany and got the depth not the shine.
Just about gave up and then I peeled the paper off a little end of…
Really thought it coulda been… ahh, not even Burnt Sienna!
Your passport says they’re brown, but I’m gonna keep lookin’ round…
& here’s a BONUS extra verse by Megan Downes. It was written after the recording was made but it is genius and if you are simging this song, you should learn it!!
Raw umber? Sepia? Which one is best for eyes of brown?
Your lashes can't conceal dark eyes so warm, so deep they drown
All my sorrows, pain and heartache;All my sadness is washed away.
Outside the lines, that color shines and makes a brand new day.
(A stick of) brown wax can't emphasize the way your eyes (just) hypnotize
Kristin voice & two hands playing pattycake.
Megan the other two hands playing pattycake.
Mark bass & whistle.
Scott percussion.
Ruth & Aoife harmony.
--
Jump Start My Heart
by Kristin Andreassen / Yellowcar Music, ASCAP
Jump start my heart, baby.
Jump start my heart…. The last boy here,
he left me thinkin’ maybe.
Jump start my heart, if you wanna ride.
You found me dead inside.
Jump Start, he shoulda left me runnin’.
The way he strolled away,
I thought he was comin’ back.
Jump start my heart. I know it’s a shame,
cuz I’m the one to blame. See,
I’m the fool who went and left...
I’m the fool who went and left...
I’m the fool who went and left the lights on.
Jump start my heart, sweetie.
I heard you might have the spare key.
Jump start my heart, honey.
It’s worth a run for the money.
Jump start my heart, darlin’.
But you know I’m giving you fair warning.
This time, I won’t wait around.
This time, don’t run me down.
This time, my radio’s gotta found
the right song.
I wanna found the right song.
Jump start.
Kristin voice.
Mark bass.
Ruth harmony.
Danny guitar.
Frank drums.
Oliver piano.
--
My Crazy
by Kristin Andreassen / Yellowcar Music, ASCAP
They say I’m talking to myself
(when I’m talking to you).
They say I’m talking to myself
(when I’m talking to you).
They say that I’m going crazy.
That much is true.
They say that I’m hearing voices (just one)
They say that I’m hearing voices (just one)
They say that I’m going crazy. It’s no fun.
I heard that ghosts and true loves
can sometimes appear where they’re not.
You told me this isn’t true love,
so whose ghost’s got me caught?
They say I’m wringin’ my hands
(when I’m holding yours)
They say I’m wringin’ my hands
(when I’m holding yours)
They say that I’m going crazy. Of course.
Bridge
They say I’m losing track of time.
I know they say I’m losing track of time.
But I’ve counted every single minute
since you were mine.
Kristin voice.
Mark bass.
Danny guitar.
Oliver piano.
--Kiss Me Hello
by Kristin Andreassen / Yellowcar Music, ASCAP
You love to love me when you’re leaving,
when you’re halfway out the door.
You turn around and kiss me sayin’ you hate to go.
But never no, no, no. You never kiss me hello.
You always love to leave me guessin’
Are you here on business or...
pleasure. So I’ll play it cool.
That last time we’ll ignore.
Never no, no, no.You never kiss me hello.
Well I heard you had a little thing for those
loooong goodbyes. But if you ask me what I think,
I’d say there’s something to be said
for the short word “hi”.
Love me when you’re leavin’.
Halfway out the door.
You pick me up and swing me around
like you were goin’ off to the War.
Baby no, no, no. You never kiss me hello.
If you’d only kiss me
when you first come around,
I might have a chance. I could be
over you by the time you leave town.
Is that what you think you know?
How to leave me wantin’ more?
Oh baby, why not live it up now?
Life is just too short.
Never no, no, no. You never kiss me hello.
This once, before you go...
Come on and kiss me hello.
Kristin voice & guitar.
Mark bass.
Scott washboard.
Oliver trumpet & kisses.
Ruth & Aoife harmony.
--Fly
by Kristin Andreassen / Yellowcar Music, ASCAP
There’s a scar in the sky when a plane goes by.
Like a surgery gave birth to possibility.
My baby wants to fly.
My baby wants to fly away from me.
There’s a look in your eye, I can’t describe.
All I know, it’s unsatisfied.
My baby wants to fly.
My baby wants to fly away from me.
There’s talk goin’ down, you’re running around.
I kinda think you wanna be found.
My baby wants to fly.
My baby wants to fly away from me.
Flee. Fly from this slow slum.
If I smell sweat, are you already on the run?
I don’t mean to hold you, but I kinda wish I’d told you
That I wanna leave this place as bad as you do.
Star light, star bright.
Wish I may be on that flight.
My baby wants to fly.
My baby wants to fly away from me.
Kristin voice, banjo & feet.
Mark fretless banjo.
Eric fiddle.
Ruth harmony.
--
Your Ex-Life Calling
by Kristin Andreassen / Yellowcar Music, ASCAP
Ring ring. Not the ring around your finger,
but the ringin’ in your ears when you
think you’re gonna leave her.
Ring ring. You were waiting for the call.
Some might have thought it was a wild dog’s howl.
Ring ring. That’s a full fifty cents.
She called you up today just to push you off the fence.
Now you’re looking out the window at the silvery moon
while a voice keeps calling from the other room. It says:
Baby, don’t answer the phone.
It’s just your ex-life will never leave you alone.
The only place that’s left to run is home.
Knock knock. Not the knockin’ at your door,
but your push-pull pulse pounding out for more.
Knock knock. Don’t even ask who’s there.
You know who it is, yeah, you know you been there.
Knock knock. It’s the hollow sound
of your suitcase, empty since you came to this town.
Now you’re looking round the room but it’s an empty stare.
You know that what you’re thinking, it isn’t fair.
The phone’s still ringing, it’s ringing off the hook.
Don’t turn around, baby. Don’t even look back, baaaby╔
Baby, don’t answer the phone.
It’s just your ex-life will never leave you alone.
The only place that’s left to run is home.
I said I see you standing right here, baby,
Won’t you please come home.
Kristin voice & guitar.
Mark bass.
Frank drums.
Oliver piano & wild dog’s howl.
Ruth & Aoife harmony.
Del saxophone.
--Heat
by Kristin Andreassen / Yellowcar Music, ASCAP
Can’t shake it in this weather.
The salt’s all gone stuck together.
The envelopes are sealing by themselves.
I drop the spoon in my still-full soup bowl.
Soup’s the only thing round here going cold.
Even the doors are too swollen for their frames.
In this heat, all I want...
I can’t eat. All I want...
In this heat, all I want on my tongue
is your name.
Toss and turn. Kick off the sheets.
No way that I’m getting to sleep.
The fan is on high and moving slow.
Black sky turning slowly grey.
Leftover sunshine from yesterday.
Crickets whisper, too lazy to talk.
In this heat, all I want...
I can’t sleep. All I want...
In this heat, all I want in my dreams
is your name.
Kristin voice.
Mark bass.
Scott percussion.
Oliver trumpet.
--
Pale Moon
by Kristin Andreassen / Yellowcar Music, ASCAP
Pale moon in the bright blue sky.
Quiet moon in the trumpeting sunlight.
Full moon in the bright blue sky.
High noon, hiding your light.
I heard she’s waiting.
She waits for night.
Crescent moon in the bright blue sky.
Tiny spoon. Little bite of the big pie.
Half moon in the bright blue sky.
Hold on. Hold back your better side.
Chorus
Crooked moon in the bright blue sky.
Corner of the room. You watch from the outside.
Shy moon in the bright blue sky.
Lonesome moon. Stars more your own kind.
Chorus
Kristin voice & guitar.
Mark bass.
Eric fiddle.
Jake harmony.
Rushad cello.
Kevin triangle.
--
Like the Snow
by Kristin Andreassen / Yellowcar Music, ASCAP
It was a warm love in a northern town.
It was the right time for settling down.
It was a storm brought me to your door.
I didn’t ask for your love, but I couldn’t ask for more.
I saw the sun come out yesterday.
I felt our love melting away.
Believe me when I say I’m gonna miss your face.
Walking away I wonder, do you know this place?
Between the white earth and the black night,
When a love’s going wrong but it’s still all right.
If only half of me wants to let go,
Can I go and come back like the snow?
They were good reasons I became your bride.
It’s nothing you did wrong, that’s not why I cried.
The pressure here, it’s in my own heart.
It’s beating me up, it’ll push us apart.
Because I’m not the same girl as when we met.
I know I’ll change again, and yet...
What if I come to miss your love,
All through the rainy southern winters, I’ll be dreaming of
Chorus
Does only half of you want me to go?
Can I turn and grow back like the green leaves turn yellow?
Can’t I lift and fall back like the snow.
Kristin voice.
Mark bass.
Aoife piano.
Jake harmony.
Eric violin & viola.
Rushad cello .
Sara second violin.
--
Dancin’ in My Sleep
by Bob Lucas/Bellyboy Music, BMI.
Dancin’ in my sleep, colors spinning round.
Barely feel my feet, as they touch the ground.
What ecstacy has come over me?
I don’t care if I ever wake or die.
Pleasure’s killing me, dancin’ in my sleep.
Voices call my name, very far away.
But I must remain, hear the music play.
Never in my life have I felt so free.
Lighter than the air, as I laugh and leap.
No step I won’t dare, dancin’ in my sleep.
Round and round and
Round and round and
Round and round and round and round I go...
As I drop and sway in my dream ballet,
No one on this earth ever danced this way.
Never heel or toe miss a single beat.
Precious memory I will always keep.
When I wake I pray, dancin’ in my sleep.
Kristin voice & barefoot dancing.
Mark bass.
Danny guitar.
Ruth & Aoife harmony.
Kim Jones tap dancing.
“Dancin’ in My Sleep” is the only cover song on this album. It’s special to me because Bob wrote it for a musical that we worked on together. In the show, I played a tomboy teenager who, while climbing in a walnut tree, falls and gets knocked unconscious. During the ensuing “dream sequence.” I dance a waltz clog while singing this song. Now that’s entertainment.
--
(Just Another Song About) Molly Brown
by Kristin Andreassen
My friend Molly, she got a dozen songs about her.
That’s what she said, and I’d never doubt her.
They were songs of love, and they were songs of lust.
Predictions of how she’d leave (as she always must).
So this is just another song about Molly Brown.
Bada Babba Dabba Ba Ba. Badabba da dabba dabba da.
Cuz there’s a hope and a prayer to be found
As long as Molly’s driving around.
My friend Molly, she lives in a moving van.
Her banjo’s in the back. For a day come play in her band.
She wrote the songs she knows in crayon on the wall.
But not quite all the songs you see she left out
all the songs about Molly Brown.
The many many songs about Molly Brown…
Bada Babba Dabba Ba Ba. Badabba da dabba dabba da.
Chorus
You say you don’t sing unless it’s somebody’s birthday.
You say the jukebox is the only music you play.
Well, wait till Molly smiles, boy, if you don’t run,
You’ll find some old guitar. You’ll start to strum
And write a song about Molly Brown.
Yet another song about Molly Brown.
Bada Babba Dabba Ba Ba. Badabba da dabba dabba da.
Chorus
At night she’ll park the van, light the stove, sing a lullabye.
She’ll let you ride with her till you turn out like all the guys
And write a song about Molly Brown.
No, not another song about Molly Brown.
Chorus
Yeah, there’s a hope and a prayer to be found.
Hallelujah.
Hey, that’s your song Molly Brown,
and I’m gonna sing it right to ya.
Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah.
For that banjo babe Molly Brown, let’s sing
Hallelujah!
Kristin voice.
Mark bass.
Scott percussion.
Danny banjo.
Oliver trumpet.
Ruth & Aoife harmony.
--
Hello Where Are You?
By Kristin Andreassen
...bbrrrrng....
Hello? (Hello where are you?) Just walking out the door
Hello? (Hello where are you?) Had to run to the store.
Hello? (Hello where are you?) Now I’m back in the car.
Hello?Hello where are you?) Oh, I haven’t moved far.
I think it’s less than a mile since the last time you rang.
In fact, I’ve been on the phone since I bought this thaang.
Drivin’ in my car, let it be known...
I don’t care if I can “roam.”
I’m just a prisoner, and my cell is a phone.
...bbrrrrng....
Hello? (o ere ar ou?) What’s that? Say that again?
Hello? (an yo ear mnow?) Bad reception on this plane.
Hello? (Hello where are you?) I was just starting to slumber.
Hello? (Hello where are you?) How did you get this number?!
Well now everybody knows I’ve got this extra plastic ear,
how can I say “Who? She’s not here...”
Plane or train, let it be known ...
Chorus
Do you remember the long blue highway at night?
There’s a low, blue glow at the side of the road
where a pay phone is swallowing dimes.
A pay phone is slowly eating up time...
Inside, the waitress will give you a pocket full of change.
Or better, you’re outside. You’re riding on the range.
You’re a cowgirl, baby, and the sky is your own.
Those saddlebags, they don’t got room for no phone.
...bbrrrrng....
Hello? (Hello where are you?) Could you call back after nine?
Hello? (Hello where are you?) Oh by the way, I’m fine.
Hello? (Hello where are you?) You don’t really wanna know.
Hello? (Hello where are you?) Oh sure, let’s talk now...
Oh. The battery’s running low...
C’est la vie, say the old folks. You never can tell.
But me, I’m running back to Ma Ma Ma Bell.
...bbrrrrng....
Hello? (Hey where are you?) That’s a really good question.
Hello? (Hello where are you?) Time to stop and ask directions.
Hello? (Crrssxxsh) Um.
(Hello are you okay?) What’s the fine for hit & run?
Oh officer, don’t arrest me. Isn’t it enough?
Can’t you see I’m already handcuffed?
Round the world to home, let it be known...
Chorus
It’s for you.
Kristin voice.
Mark bass.
Danny guitar.
Scott percussion.
& featuring Mark, Danny, Oliver, Megan, Eileen Carson & Neil Knicely saying “Hello Where Are You?”
--
Faith
By Kristin Andreassen
You wouldn’t remember because you couldn’t hear me
but I called you.
You couldn’t have heard me because you didn’t know me
yet I called you. I called you.
Love. I called you Love before I knew you.
I called you Love in the time
when I called this moment The Future.
Didn’t have your number, didn’t know your name
but I called you.
Didn’t know the rainbow came after the rain
but I looked for you. Hoped for you.
Hope. I called you Hope before I knew you.
I called you Hope in the time
when I called this moment The Future.
There were times when I was filled with doubt.
There were other times I had it all figured out.
And in both those times
I had come to believe I was dreamin’.
but now I find out, you are a dream to believe in.
Didn’t have your number, didn’t know your name
but I called you.
Didn’t know the rainbow came after the rain
but I looked for you. Searched for you.
Peace. I prayed for peace before I found you.
I called you Faith in the time
when I called this moment The Future.
I called to you when I called Today
The Future.
Kristin voice, fingerpicked guitar & dancing.
Mark bass.
Danny rhythm guitar.
Scott percussion.
Aoife harmony.[ top ]