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about

“Lighten Up” was originally written as a “song for hire” by the family of a 15-year old model who wanted to sing and “do everything.” Initially, she liked it because it "sounded like Ace of Base." Within 3 weeks, she bagged out of the music biz and decided she didn’t want to be a singer. Since the track was already set up and no sense wasting, I took it over.

Adrienne “Lady A” Blanton did the rap, and the rest is a catchy reggae-pop narrative about a guy who is getting letters from a woman who rejected him but now wants him back, perhaps by divine purpose.

I added this song to the recovery theme of this EP because it speaks to co-dependence and how addicts and compulsive people talk to themselves. This song serves as a deal-breaker to all that, particularly the lines:

"Anyone who’s worth anything goes through some kind of flame
It’s the only fire that purifies your name
When you feel that doom and darkness have become some kind of crutch
Then all that’s left to do is to lighten up"

An edit-version of this song appears elsewhere on bandcamp. This EP marks the bandcamp debut of the long version of this song.

lyrics

LIGHTEN UP Words & Music by Johnny J. Blair copyright 2000 Word2Soul Music BMI

Your lover wrote a letter Just can’t keep it together
She wants to go away/and you feel like it’s the end of the world
The cat got sick Saturday The car broke down on the way
It was a rainy day And you still don’t know what happened to your girl

FIRST CHORUS:
And your friends, they all think you should lighten up (2X)

Life can be so frustrating With all your colors fading
Your heart can go astray And no one seems to have the time of day
You broke the dishes Monday Your overslept on Tuesday
And no one made coffee And you don’t know where the woman is today

(REPEAT FIRST CHORUS) REFRAIN:

Anyone who’s worth anything goes through a kind of flame
It’s the only fire that purifies your name
When you feel that doom and darkness have become some kind of crutch
Then all that’s left to do is to lighten up

Your friends, they try to make you See that the things that break you
Could be worse than they are Why should you wish upon a falling star?
Your phone was shut off Wednesday Had one too many Thursday
Don’t talk about Friday And this thing has gone on way too far

(REPEAT FIRST CHORUS) (REPEAT REFRAIN)

RAP:

Old man walking down the street People think he’s funny
Walks upright on his own two feet Why is he so sunny?
Has no hair But he still cares Has no rope But he has hope
Has no scrub But he has love In his heartbeat

Your lover wrote a letter She wants to get togther
She’s in some kind of funk
Now it’s time for her to turn another page
Her doggie died on Tuesday Tires got slashed on Thursday
It was a rainy day And she knows what to feel at this stage

(SECOND CHORUS) + OUTRO VAMP

And she think’s that it’s time to lighten up

credits

from KEPT ON WALKIN​’​: SONGS OF RECOVERY, STRENGTH, HOPE & HEALING VOLUME II (4 song EP), released January 2, 2017
Lady A: spoken word rap
JJB: bass, drum programs, guitar, keyboards, percussion, all vocals

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about

Johnny J Blair "Singer at Large" San Francisco, California

"Johnny is a virtuoso"--Brian Wilson
"Pop music with a conscience.”--Goldmine
“the Harry Houdini of rock and roll.”-- Spotlight. Listen to Johnny's fast-paced mix of old school soul, psychedelia, punk/new wave, & classic pop/rock. Singer-songwriter in his own right, he was also a sideman for Davy Jones and The Monkees + performed with David Cassidy, Al Stewart, Buddy & Julie Miller, & others. ... more

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