Fretting the Small Stuff
by Ukulele Jim
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Full Digital Discography
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1. |
Go Along to Get Along
02:41
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When you're holding someone
And their arms are cold
When you try your hardest
But it's getting old
And the feeling's gone
You gotta go along to get along
When you feel like leaving
But you just can't go
When you're missing something
And you just don't know
Why the feeling's gone
You gotta go along to get along
Take a look around
At this thing you've built
Before you knock it down
You just might find
It's worth your time
To get along
When you feel you're losing
The will to fight
It just might take time
To set things right
When they're going wrong
You gotta go along to get along
Take a look around
At this thing you've built
Before you knock it down
You just might find
It's worth your time
When you're holding someone
And their arms are cold
When you're missing something
And you just don't know
Why the feeling's gone
You gotta go along to get along
Keep hanging on
You gotta go along to get along
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2. |
This Love Thing
03:11
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I'd like to get to know you well
One look at you and I can tell
That you might be the one
If you'd come out of your shell
Maybe we'd get along real swell
And we could have some fun
If you follow me back home
I'll show you paradise
In a Berber carpeted condominium
I'll be yours if you'll be mine
Maybe over time we'll feel this thing
They call love
I've got a yearning in my soul
I need someone to fill the hole
Inside this lonely life
If you'd only take control
Maybe you could fill the role
Of a trophy wife
If you want to share a home
We'll live in wedded bliss
In a Berber carpeted condominium
I'll be yours if you'll be mine
Maybe over time we'll feel this thing
They call love
So if you're going my way
I'd like to ride with you
I've got a love machine
With bucket seats for two
We're getting older every day
Together we could find a way
To feel young again
If you'd only say you'll stay
I'll stick beside you come what may
Until the bitter end
If you want a family home
We'll raise a couple of kids
In a Berber carpeted condominium
I'll be yours if you'll be mine
Maybe over time we'll feel this thing
They call love
I'll be yours, please be mine
Maybe over time we'll feel this thing
They call love
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3. |
Hearts in Harmony
04:45
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Loving you shouldn't always have to be
So hard to do, take it easier on me
'Cause it's true that I'm just not built that way
Not like you, so I say
I'm coming to you with my hat in my hand
And my heart on my sleeve
And I'm hoping you'll understand when I say
That all of the things you're putting me through
Have a cause and effect
They'll all come back to you someday
Let's run away, forget today
and try to replay hearts in harmony
Remember when we were young, sentimental fools
Way back then, didn't care about the rules
Now we pretend that we just don't feel the same
Once again, it's a shame
I'm coming to you with my hat in my hand
And my heart on my sleeve
And I'm hoping you'll understand when I say
That all of the things you're putting me through
Have a cause and effect
They'll all come back to you someday
Let's run away, forget today
And try to replay hearts in harmony
You were the one who hurt me
But that was so long ago
I'm still standing here
Holding on just to let you know
I wonder why you would run from my embrace
As I try to get back in your good grace
You reply that you just don't feel that way
So I sigh as I say
I'm coming to you with my hat in my hand
And my heart on my sleeve
And I'm hoping you'll understand when I say
That all of the things you're putting me through
Have a cause and effect
They'll all come back to you someday
Let's run away, forget today
And try to replay hearts in harmony
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4. |
Home
02:48
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I've been away from my home for so long
I forgot what it's like to not be alone
I left behind me all the things that were good
Now I gotta get back before they're all gone
I'm going home
Back where I know I belong
I want to tell you I was wrong to roam
Now I'm going home
I look around me at the places I've been
And the people I meet, they all seem the same
Spirits wander in and out of my life
Always knowing my face but never my name
I'm going home
Back where I know I belong
I want to tell you I was wrong to roam
Now I'm going home
When I'm at home with you
The rest of the world falls away by the side
I know all the things you do
Will keep me satisfied
I really hope that you
Would still have a place for me
Because I'm on my way to you
You are where I want to be
Home
That's where I know I belong
I finally know I was wrong to roam
Now I'm going home
I'm going home
Where you are waiting for me
I know I never will be alone
When I get back home
So I'm going home
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5. |
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Oh Lord, going down to the river
Oh Lord, where the water runs free
Oh Lord, going down to the river
On that shore they will bury me
Lisa Mae was a wild-eyed gal
I laid her down in the chapparal
She went home and her daddy said
I'm gonna find that boy, I'm gonna kill him dead
Oh Lord, going down to the river
Oh Lord, where the water runs free
Oh Lord, going down to the river
On that shore they will bury me
He came around with a Bowie knife
And intention to take my life
I met him down at Miller's Square
He called my name and I shot him there
Oh Lord, going down to the river
Oh Lord, where the water runs free
Oh Lord, going down to the river
On that shore they will bury me
The Sheriff came and took me in
I prayed the Lord to forgive my sin
Purify this wretched soul
I've got a date with the gallow's pole
Oh Lord, going down to the river
Oh Lord, where the water runs free
Oh Lord, going down to the river
On that shore they will bury me
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6. |
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Indubitably
I wish I could see what you saw in me
I wish I could be
Somebody more like the memory
That you have of me
I wish I knew how to keep your love
I wish I knew what you're dreaming of
I wish I could rise above
Those things I said today
I'd wish them away
If I could only keep your love
I wish I knew
What in the world's going on with you
But I haven't a clue
Why you would do those things you do
And say we're through
I wish I knew how to keep your love
I wish I knew what you're dreaming of
I wish I could rise above
Those things I said today
I'd wish them away
If I could only keep your love
If I could keep your love
I'd lock it away
Hold it somewhere special
In case of another lonely day, well
Why keep hanging on
If you're just moving on again
And taking all your love
I'd like to see
I wish I could see what you saw in me
I wish I could be
Somebody more like the memory
That you have of me
I wish I knew how to keep your love
I wish I knew what you're dreaming of
I wish I could rise above
Those things I said today
I'd wish them away
If I could only keep your love
If I could keep your love
I'd lock it away
Hold it warm and dry
In case of another rainy day, well
Why keep hanging on
If you're just moving on again
And taking all your love
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7. |
You and Me on the Run
02:19
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Be mine sometime
Someday like today
Take my life line
And we can be far away
Throw away your worries and woes
As we lie on the beach and we curl our toes
And let the cool of the water feel good with the heat of the sun
Pack up your material things
And we will pick a new direction and see what it brings
It's you and me on the run
Let's go, start slow
Don't wait, it's not too late
You know as well as I know
That we could be far away
Say goodbye to all of your bills
And your rent and your job and your run of the mills
And the burden on your back that feels like it's weighing a ton
Give up your material things
And we will pick a new direction and see what it brings
It's you and me on the run
I don't want to stay here playing the game
Day after day, it's all the same
How 'bout you and me get away
For one more day
Come on, get real gone
We'll take my Chevrolet on the interstate
We'll drive until the dawn
So won't you come along
And we will be far away
Give up all the struggle and strife
And the troublesome things that always tangle your life
Or it'll all be over and you won't even have any fun
Throw away your worries and woes
As we pick a new direction and see where it goes
It's you and me on the run
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8. |
Song of the Sky
04:43
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I am here, I fill the space
As I wait to see your face
I stand my ground, I wonder why
Will you hear me if I let out a cry
To the sky
The summer days turn into fall
And still I wait to hear your call
I hold on for your lovely voice
When I hear it, I shall rejoice
To the sky
Open your eyes
And see that I am alive
Like a breath becomes a wind
One will end, another one begins
You feel familiar in everything
When all is quiet, it's your name I sing
To the sky
Open your eyes
And see that I am alive
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9. |
The World Still Turns
03:59
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You gave me your heart, I tore it apart
Left you wondering why the world is so cruel
You're working so hard to let down your guard
In the end you just feel like a fool
The world still turns
Something inside you still burns
You're living those lessons of life you have learned
Look around you, the world still turns
You hope and you pray that maybe someday
You might feel something new that won't involve crying
You swallow your pride and dig deep inside
Just to find out you don't feel a thing
The world still turns
Something inside you still burns
You're living those lessons of life you have learned
Look around you, the world still turns
If you're willing to try, let me back in again
I promise you now, I'm not who I was way back then
I'm making amends
In all of the trials you've seen through the miles
As you traveled alone and held your head higher
You stumbled along and it made you strong
But you always succumb to the fire
The world still turns
Something inside you still burns
You're living those lessons of life you have learned
Look around you, the world still turns
You're living those lessons of life you have learned
Look around you, the world still turns
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10. |
All I Need
04:54
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You don't impress me with the way you do your hair
I'm not concerned with the clothes you choose to wear
I only like you for the way you carry yourself
Just be natural, let the world take care of itself
It'll be all right
You feel the pressure, it's always on your mind
All this pressure to follow close behind
Don't you listen, break out from the pack
Be your own self, give the costume back
It'll be all right
You're all I need, and I need a lot
You don't gotta be something you're not
You're all I need, I say yes, indeed
You're all I need and all that I want
You're all that I want and just what I needed
All around you, in everything you see
Endless pictures of who you're supposed to be
Close your eyes now, let the pictures fade
Take my hand, there's no need to be afraid
It'll be all right
You're all I need, and I need a lot
You don't gotta be something you're not
You're all I need, I say yes, indeed
You're all I need and all that I want
You're all that I want and just what I needed
Every time you run away from all
The things you thought would make you fall
Into a place where you were on your own
Turn to me and I will help you see
You don't need to hide your love
And hold it all alone
You're all I need, and I need a lot
You don't gotta be something you're not
You're all I need, I say yes, indeed
You're all I need and all that I want
You're all that I want
You're all I want and just what I needed
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11. |
That's What I Was
02:51
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I went searching for you all around the town
I found you with him and I felt just like a clown
That's what I was, yes, that's what I was
When I saw you I tried to play it cool
But when he kissed you I felt just like the fool
That's what I was, yes, that's what I was
You made me feel just like a fool because
That's what I was
I should have seen it coming long, long ago
I had suspicion but I didn't want to know
Now I found the reason why you're out all night
It's 'cause you're doing me wrong
And you ain't got the right
My friends, they tried to warn me 'bout your wicked ways
But I just turned away like I was in a daze
Because I was, yes, that's what I was
I let you treat me like a fool because
That's what I was
I should have seen it coming long, long ago
I had suspicion but I didn't want to know
Now I found the reason why you're out all night
It's 'cause you're doing me wrong
And you ain't got the right
When you cheated I tried to play it cool
But when you left me I felt just like the fool
I knew I was, yes, that's what I was
You made me look just like a fool because
That's what I was
You left me for another fool because
That's what I was
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12. |
Crawlin' Away
05:39
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Give me something to hold on to
I need a reason to stay with you
I'm trying to leave here, but it just don't show
I've been doing it real slow
I've been crawlin' away
I've been crawlin' away
I've been crawlin' away
I've been crawlin' away
I let a woman get the best of me
Still, I'm hanging around so helplessly
I lack the courage to just cut and run
Even after all you've done
I've been crawlin' away
I've been crawlin' away
I've been crawlin' away
I've been crawlin' away
The road is long, it's been calling me
It brings me down onto my knees, yeah
The road is long, it's been calling me
It brings me down onto my knees
Oh yeah
I've been trying to stand up on my own
But being held down here is all I've ever known
I wish that I had a way to make you see
I just want to be free
I've been crawlin' away
I've been crawlin' away, yeah, yeah
I've been crawlin' away
I've been crawlin' away, yeah, yeah
The road is long (the road is long)
It's been calling me (been callin' me)
It brings me down onto my knees
Lord, I've been crawlin' away
(I've been crawlin' away)
I've been crawlin' away (I've been crawlin' away)
I want to leave today (I've been crawlin' away)
I've been crawlin' away (I've been crawlin' away)
Oh lord
I've been crawlin' away
I've been crawlin' away
I've been crawlin' away
(I've been crawlin' away)
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13. |
Love Song #47
03:09
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In the time it will take to write this song
I will have fallen in love with you
I promise it won't take me long
Maybe just about a minute or two
When I start singing 'bout
All the things that make you "you"
Then I start thinking 'bout
All the wonderful things that you do
And you do
In the time it will take to write this song
I will have fallen in love with you
If you listen and follow along
Maybe you will feel it too
This is the part where I sing
About all the time you've been my friend
So just keep on listening
The payoff will be there in the end
Just for you
In the time it will take to write this song
I will have fallen in love with you
My predilection for affection prolongs
Accumulation of ovation for you
I write all these fancy words
To appear as if I'm witty and smart
The truth is I'm really a fool
Who is wishing you would give me your heart
And you do
In the time it will take to sing this song
I hope you've fallen in love with me
Together we'll never go wrong
You'll be astounded by how happy we'll be
This is the part of the song
Where I repeat the things I told you before
I tell you how great you are
And I end it all with you wanting more
And you do
In the time that it took to sing this song
I think I've fallen in love with you
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about
"Fretting the Small Stuff plays out like a Greatest Hits album. From the very first song you feel you are meeting a familiar friend. As you settle down, getting comfortable in your favorite couch, sipping your favorite whiskey, the songs that follow just add to the mood. The breezy tunes combined with lyrics that range from humorous to personal keep you hanging on and waiting for the next song. Full credit to Jim for not letting the pace drop for the length of the album and you are just as happy at the last song as you were when the first one started up. Four stars." (Review by Radio Maverick)
"Jim's music sticks to the basics of good songwriting: nice melody around meaningful lyrics. Being a project put together via online collaborations, the results are impressive. A big thumbs-up." (Review by Ukulele Player Magazine)
"Catchy, sweet, and charming, Fretting the Small Stuff is James Clark’s third full album that conveys a sense of wisdom and wonder with the ukelele. In a sense, listening to Ukelele Jim is like falling in and out of love in Hawaii... A dynamic album, illustrating raw emotion and presenting it in a light-hearted, easy-listening fashion. A deep, romantic undertone is suggested throughout the entire album, but the playful ukelele pop creates a musical juxtaposition that keeps listeners from feeling burdened." (Review by The Band Lounge)
"Jim's music sticks to the basics of good songwriting: nice melody around meaningful lyrics. Being a project put together via online collaborations, the results are impressive. A big thumbs-up." (Review by Ukulele Player Magazine)
"Catchy, sweet, and charming, Fretting the Small Stuff is James Clark’s third full album that conveys a sense of wisdom and wonder with the ukelele. In a sense, listening to Ukelele Jim is like falling in and out of love in Hawaii... A dynamic album, illustrating raw emotion and presenting it in a light-hearted, easy-listening fashion. A deep, romantic undertone is suggested throughout the entire album, but the playful ukelele pop creates a musical juxtaposition that keeps listeners from feeling burdened." (Review by The Band Lounge)
credits
released October 25, 2011
Cover photography by Christina Huh.
Digital booklet with liner notes: files.ukulelejim.com/extras/FTSSDigitalBooklet.pdf
Cover photography by Christina Huh.
Digital booklet with liner notes: files.ukulelejim.com/extras/FTSSDigitalBooklet.pdf
license
all rights reserved
tags
about
Ukulele Jim California
Ukulele Jim's music blends soulful songwriting with uplifting pop sensibilities. Music lovers of all ages will enjoy these catchy, emotive, and family friendly songs that bridge the gaps between pop, rock, country and folk music.
discography
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Jan 2018 -
Jan 2013 -
Sep 2019 -
May 2019
contact / help
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