Jaclyn!

To the First Boy I Ever Loved

V1) She said to me, “you’ve never been in love/ you don’t know how this hurts”/ had to leave the room, don’t think she realized how/ she stung me with those words/ that got me thinking about you/ and wondering how you are/ hoping you remember that/ you’ll always have my heart/

Chorus) I don’t wanna kiss you/ I don’t even wanna hold your hand/ can’t help it that I miss you/ boy, remember you were my best friend/ but, we’ve both changed, gone separate ways/ I don’t know who you’re dreaming of/ after six years, it’s finally clear/ you’re the first boy I ever loved/

V2) I pulled the covers up over my head/ so no one else could hear/ I didn’t want to have to explain the reason for my tears/ ‘cause it’s all my fault that we turned out like this/ there’s no one else to blame/ maybe it’s for the best— we’re different people now/ but one thing has never changed/

V3) I didn’t realize/ at the time/ but now that I’ve grown up/ I’ve come to find/ that you still mean the world to me/ even though you’re not in my life/

Self-Perpetuating

V1) It’s cyclical/ seems uncontrollable/ or maybe I’m just doing everything wrong/ it’s hard for me/ because I just can’t see/ a way to change or, at least, get along/ it’s self-perpetuating/ maybe I deserve the pain/ because I refuse to listen to/ my common sense/

Chorus) I’m fine—/ just a little bit lonely/ just a little bit lonely, but/ I’ll be alright/
I’m fine—/ just a little bit lonely/ and I know I’m not the only one/ you saw that rhyme/ coming from/ a mile away/

V2) It’s actually/ quite impractical/ because, in doing this, I’m hurting myself/ impatiently/ having to wait and see/ if I can find a man who may treat me well/ been feeling so damn lonely/ but, you don’t deserve my tears/ maybe that’s why my eyes won’t cry/ it must be true/

V3) all along, I’ve had it backwards/ time to look at something new/ I couldn’t have said it better/ you said, “make sure he deserves you”/

Lyric and Melody written by Jaclyn Reinhart, April 6, 2012

Desperate and Lonely

V1) You might be nothing special, but, if nothing else, you’re mine/ and that’s gotta be good enough for me/ there’s no use being jealous, what a waste of precious time/ I’d much rather focus my energy/ on making sure you’re happy/ so that you’ll stay with me/

Chorus) I just wanna— I just wanna—/ be with you every night/ instead of holding onto my pillow tight/ and having to sing myself lullabies/
I just wanna— I just wanna—/ have somebody that I can talk to/ preferably a man who looks just like you/ who’ll hold my hand and help me make it through/
or maybe I’m just asking for way too much/

V2) I might just be average, but, assuredly, I’m yours/ why can’t that be good enough for you?/ apparently, I’m willing to settle for less than great/ as long as he will settle for me, too/ funny how at one point in my life I said/ that that’s something I’d refuse to do/ but

V3) I used to look at girls like me/ and think, “so sad, you’re desperate and you’re lonely”/ looking in the mirror, hard to convince myself it’s true/ that I deserve someone so much better than you/ ‘cause

(chorus x2- second time, second stanza replaced with:)

**) I just wanna—I just wanna—/ feel comfortable in my own skin/ and not feel like I need a man to fill in/ the lonely space in my heart that’s poundin’/
apparently, I asked him for way too much/ 

Lyric and Melody written by Jaclyn Reinhart, March 3, 2012

Something New

V1) her tears/ fall/ like perfect drops of glass/ and they shatter as they hit the floor/ her cheeks/ are/ stained with black mascara/ because she doesn’t feel pretty anymore/ he said he couldn’t handle it/ that she was just too much/ and that he bit off more than he could chew/ he wanted an adventure/ he needed a break/ and he was gonna find something new/

Chorus) this world is way too big and beautiful to waste your time daydreaming/ letting yourself grow old, all cooped-up in this town/ ideally, wanderlust just seems so perfect/ but, she (he) thought that he’d (she’d) always be around/

V2) his tears/ are/ welling up inside him/ because he hurt her perfectly by mistake/ his cheeks/ are red/ cause he’s angry and embarrassed/ as he tries to hide behind the smile he fakes/ she didn’t try to fight him/ though he prayed to God she would/ because this was something that he had to do/ if she would have protested/ he would have insisted/ that they go together and find something new/

V3) ten years later, they ran into each other/ both had married, started families, settled down/ they swore that it was a misunderstanding/ and they both regretted not leaving that town/ together/ 

Lyric and Melody written by Jaclyn Reinhart, January 10, 2012

Here’s to Taking Chances

V1) I have no reason to trust you/ I should fully expect you to break my heart/ if I wanted to protect it/ I would harden myself from the very start/ but, they tell me that it’s worth it/ that the risk of heart break is worth the reward/ so, I guess I’ll take my chances/ because maybe finding love is what life’s for/

Chorus) so, here’s to shameless flirting/ hoping that I’ll find a guy who will absolutely make my heart sing/ so, here’s to awkward eye contact with strangers passing by/ because it just might turn into something/ here’s to sharing all my sober thoughts/ with any drunken boy I choose/ so, here’s to taking chances/ what have I got to lose?/

V2) I am terribly conflicted/ I don’t know whether I should go or stay/ because, leaving would be safer/ you can’t hurt me as badly from far away/ but, if I stay a little longer/ there’s a possibility that this could work/ maybe the flavor of your kisses/ is worth the chance that I may end up hurt/

V3) spontaneity is key/ the one thing you expect from me/ is unpredictability/ well, this could be a start/ taking all restrictions off my heart/ for absolutely everyone to see/ 

Lyric and Melody written by Jaclyn Reinhart, December 14, 2011

Hello, December

V1) it’s so cold/ that I can see my breath/ and my tears are frozen to my cheeks/ it’s so hard/ to fake my signature smile/ when I feel like an ugly, desperate freak/ you left this town/ without a single explanation/ but, you took the time to spell it out for me:/ you were sick and tired/ and bored and disappointed/ because I wasn’t what you thought I should be/

Chorus) well, hello, December/ I didn’t miss you/ I’ve always hated the snow/ because you bring back bad memories/ of being left under mistletoe/ I might have deserved this/ a feeling that I can’t shake/ so I’ll say, “hello December, hello heartache”/

V2) I’m so mad/ I’d like to punch a hole/ through the wall, but I’d break my fist instead/ I’ll break the mirror/ because your final taunt is something I/ can’t get out of my head/ so, when the snow/ comes falling down this winter/ I’ll be thinking about your icy, cold heart/ you said, “get a clue/ get a life and get off my back”/ intentionally tearing me apart/

V3) walking down the road/ boots crunching in the snow/ and I cried/ all of a sudden/ I slipped and I fell/ and to the Lord I yelled/ “why/ are they all runnin’ from me…?/ did I do something I just can’t see?”/

Lyric and Melody written by Jaclyn Reinhart, November 30, 2011

Hopeless Romantic

V1) i just wanna walk for miles/ talking about nothing with you/ introduce ourselves to strangers/ making fun of all the stupid things we do/ but, you prefer candlelit dinners/ and sending me anonymous bouquets/ yeah, it might be cute, but it’s not/ an expression of genuine feelings/

Chorus) as sweet/ as the love letters may be/ and as nice/ as the butterflies may seem/ when the roses and the perfume fade/ and you’ve found you’ve got nothing to say/ i’ll be unimpressed by everything i see/ you’re just a hopeless romantic/ something i’ll never be/

V2) i just wanna sleep beside you/ knowing that i’m safe here in your arms/ i don’t need chocolate or flowers/ i just want your smile, your wit, your charm/ but, you prefer to watch the sunset and hold my hand while wishing upon stars/ yeah, i think it’s cute, but is it/ really everything that we are?/

V3) because there’s this notion that “romance” is something i should not refuse/ and i appreciate the little things, but that’s not all you should do/ a real relationship needs to go beyond what is cute/ it’s not enough for me, scattered rose petals and perfume/ 

Lyric and Melody written by Jaclyn Reinhart, November 4, 2011

Thrilled

V1) over the years, I’ve learned not to expect too much/ because, when I do, I’m always heartbroken/ if my imagination didn’t run so wild/ maybe I’d be happier in the end/ try as I might, I simply can’t control myself/ and, not surprisingly, with you it’s the same/ as soon as I introduced myself, man, I was hooked!/ and all these crazy thoughts ran through my brain/

Bridge) and I just can’t wait…/

Chorus) **for you to hold my hand, telling me that you missed me/ you to pull my face so close to yours and kiss me/ I can finally shout for joy instead of screaming**/ and I’d be thrilled beyond articulation/ make me feel like I’m on top of creation/ gotta pinch myself to know that I’m not dreaming/

V2) every once in a while, I can convince myself/ that I never wanted you anyway/ that you were just a distraction and a waste of time/ and certainly not worth all the heartache/ but, usually, I don’t even get to this point/ because I’m way too busy thinking this is fate/ I can’t get myself to just step back and breathe/ and try to calm my hands as they shake/

**for you to constantly refer to me as “baby”/ you to say that, without me, you would go crazy/ I can’t even control my excitement, I’m beaming**/

V3) over the years, I’ve learned not to expect too much/ but, I’m hoping you’ll surprise me in the end/

**for you to ask me, “babe, will you forever be mine?”/ you to promise that you’ll love me for all of time/ as I say, “I do,” tears down my face are streaming**/ 

Lyric and Melody written by Jaclyn Reinhart, October 16, 2011 

Motorcycles

V1) They say:/ “once in your life, date someone totally wrong for you”/ I think/ that I just might; it’s something I think it’d be fun to do/ I’ve always/ been attracted to the rebels, I don’t know why/ as long/ as I’m taking chances, I figure I’ll give it a try/

Chorus) I wanna find a boy who rides a motorcycle/ who’ll take me ‘round this city on a ride/ I wanna fly so fast, feel like no one can catch me/ while holding him so tightly from behind/ I want him to be dressed in nothing but black leather/ and catch a glimpse of hell in his eyes/ and even though I know it probably won’t last/ I wanna do something so wrong it’s right/

V2) They say/ or so I’ve heard:/ “make sure the risk is worth the reward”/ well, guess what!/ I’m still young, and taking chances is what youth is for/ I’ve never/ had the courage to blatantly go against the grain/ something’s telling me it’s worth it/ my heart’s taking over my brain/

V3) Steph Zinone had it right/ wanted a boy on a bike/ and look how happy she was in the end/ obviously, I want that, too/ to feel shivers when I’m with you/ even if one night is all I get/ 

Chorus 2) I wanna find a boy who rides a motorcycle/ who’ll take me ‘round this city on a ride/ and I don’t even care if he’s wearing black goggles/ I’ll never be able to recognize/ as long as he is dressed in nothing but tight leather/ and I feel the fire of hell from inside/ it doesn’t make a difference if it never lasts/ I wanna do something so wrong it’s right/

Lyric and Melody written by Jaclyn Reinhart, September 10, 2011

Cafuné

V1) i don’t feel like following the rules tonight/ don’t tell me i should ‘cause, baby, i just might/ and i’ve worked so hard to keep my reputation high/ yeah, i’m probably scared, but that is nothing new/ i jump out of my skin whenever i’m with you/ as hard as i try to deny it, i think that it’s true/ 

Bridge) even though you’re bad for me/ i want you so much more/

Chorus) you could be my baby/ and i could be the lady/ that you’ve always dreamed of/ i can’t make a promise/ but, if we’re being honest:/ you’re the missing piece of/ my heart that has been smashed open/ a thousand times before/ i’ve found my way, i’m not afraid to say/ i want you so much more/

V2) i never thought i’d say this: baby, light my fire/ and tell me how to satisfy all your desires/ it may sound contradictory, well i guess i’m a liar/ ‘cause i’ve never done anything like this before/ i’ve told you time and time again: you’ll never score/ but, always saying “no” to you is becoming quite the chore/

V3) run your fingers through my hair/ and gently caress my face/ if i want us to be beautiful/ there are some risks i’ll have to take/

Lyric and Melody written by Jaclyn Reinhart, August 17, 2011

Miscalculated

V1) it’s not the way i planned it/ i didn’t see it through/ guess i should have known better/ than to depend on you/ but it could have been perfect/ i saw it from the start/ of course i got my hopes up/ and i broke my own heart/

Chorus) this is typical and terrible/ but, totally me/ because i’m convinced i’ve got this master plan/ i expect too much then i get hurt/ unjustifiably/ and i know it isn’t just because i ran/ out of time/ it’s just that i/ refuse to see the light of truth/ it’s sad to see/ but i know it’s me/ i’m not meant to be with you/

V2) it might be that i’m jealous/ i’m probably insecure/ could be a combination/ or neither, i’m not sure/ oh, it could have been perfect/ but, how could you have known?/ why would you reciprocate/ feelings i never showed?/

V3) or you or you or anybody else/ that i’ve wanted to hold me/ kiss me on the forehead/ telling me that i’m their only/ it’s pathetic; it’s sick/ i shouldn’t think about it half as much as i do/ but, since i won’t say who you are/ might as well spill the truth/

Lyric and Melody written by Jaclyn Reinhart, August 14, 2011

Girl Meets Boy (and the Rest is History)

V1) you always know just what to do/ wiping tears from my face/ even though we didn’t work/ romantically, you can’t wait/ until that day, not far from now/ sitting in Johnny’s bar/ tipsily laughing about/ how you pushed me too far/

Chorus) and it’s the same old story/ told over again by the same old record machine/ tales of love and lust and lost glory/ remind me of everything/ that we had and we lost; that we loved and we shared; and everything that we destoyed/ the typical teenage love song about girl meets boy/

V2) you always know just what to say, “it’s not me, it’s you/ we both know we’re better off as friends”/ boy, ain’t that the truth?/ but, i’ve been secretly wanting you to kiss me/ since that first day/ if drunken words speak sober thoughts:/ it wasn’t all that great/

V3) boy, you’re lucky!/ i’ve got a sense of humor and i’m not heartbroken/ put another quarter in the jukebox for me/ play a classic love anthem again/ 

Lyrics and Melody written by Jaclyn Reinhart, June 22, 2011

Vulnerable

V1) And this is me/ empty rum bottle in my hand/ screaming, ‘cause i want a little more/ you calm me down and walk me up the stairs to bed/ lay me down then shut my bedroom door/ you confess that, while we’ve always been just friends/ you never have been quite satisfied/ you ask quietly if you can share my bed/ and i look at you with my bloodshot eyes/

Chorus) it isn’t my responsibility/ but, i’m probably gonna help you anyway/ ‘cause, let’s face it, i’m a mess/ and i need you right now/ even though i don’t want to/ just tell me what to do/ 

V2) And this is me/ crying on the bathroom floor/ wiping tears and blood from my face/ they told me every day for years/ to run and hide/ but i thought that, if i loved you, you’d change/ maybe i deserve it/ maybe it’s my fault/ i’ll crawl back to you and apologize/ you kiss me and say that you need/ a favor now/ help you take care of business for a while/

V3) And this is me/ looking back with much regret/ why did i let you take control?/ you took advantage of me every chance you had/ and i let it happen/ ‘cause i was vulnerable/

Chorus 2) it wasn’t my responsibility/ but you knew that i would help you anyway/ let’s face it, i was a mess/ and i needed you then/ but right now i don’t need you…/
it’s no longer my responsibility/ can’t guilt me into helping anyway/ ‘cause, let’s face it, now i’m strong/ and i don’t need you around/ and i don’t even want you…/

Lyric and Melody written by Jaclyn Reinhart, May 15, 2011 

Changing the World’s Perception of Music

V1) maybe i’m not destined to be someone so/ completely and utterly free/ maybe independence is a lie that i’ve let/ infiltrate and alter my dreams/ i’ve been told that i can’t do this by myself/ but i decided to prove them all wrong/ i’m just hoping that the truth will be preserved/ and that you’ll help me sing my song/

Chorus) sing my song/ harmonize and help it grow/ build it up/ change everything they’ve ever known/ never stop/ help the message to be heard/ we’ll work together/ and you’ll never have to say a word/ music, here defined/

V2) maybe i’m not supposed to be that someone who/ places a heavy imprint on your heart/ maybe i’m just the piece of the puzzle who’s/ responsible for making you start/ maybe i am just a link in this long chain/ that, hopefully, will encircle the Earth/ i’m just praying that these words will make you feel/ and that you’ll help me sing my song first/

V3) define the norm/ define the truth/ hopefully, the music/ will help you find you/ sing my song/ and you will spread it everywhere/ if nothing else/ personally, it might make you care/

Lyric and Melody written by Jaclyn Reinhart, May 9, 2011

Picture Perfect

V1) a rainy afternoon in April/ you sitting on my couch next to me/ leaning over, whispering something in my ear/ so sweet/ curled up underneath a blanket/ with your body wrapped around me tight/ silently counting all the ways I’ll dream of you tonight/

Chorus) and I swear, it’s picture perfect/ like sunrise beyond the trees/ you’re the beauty of this moment/ and the buckle in my knees/ you’re the glance that’s made me lose my breath/ from the very start/ and every time you’re with me/ you’re the flutter in my heart/

V2) a deliciously warm August sunshine/ sitting underneath that big ole tree/ you and I entirely entangled/ interrupted by the summer breeze/ telling stories, sharing laughter/ and each memory we think of/ older couples passing by us saying/ “those kids are so in love”/

V3) photo albums tell the true love stories of our lives/ looking back on those memories, I never realized/ that we would be together now for fifty years or more/ and every night I close my eyes after telling the Lord:/

(so, let me talk about this song. the past couple of days i’ve been hearing songs like Aerosmith’s “Don’t Want To Miss a Thing” and Three Doors Down’s “Here Without You.” and i just sat down and said to myself, ‘I want to write something simple, something real, something purely about love. i don’t want to try to be deep or passionate or opinionated or a strong woman. i want to write a song that shows the writer is simply in love. i think i’ve accomplished that. i hope i have.)

Lyric and Melody written by Jaclyn Reinhart, March 6, 2011