The Project (2020) - The Daniel James Songbook

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The Writer's Thoughts

I think this is the flagship Daniel James Project album. Songs on this album were released individually as they were written, and the album order differs. "Newsong" takes some influence from Kid A by Radiohead. "For The Project / Soul" and "Marathon Skies" were mostly inspired by shoegaze and dream pop, especially Slowdive's Souvlaki. "Best Kept Secret" is an improved version of a Kosrovadi track, whilst "Enough With You" originated from a demo I recorded on tape back in 2019.

For The Project / Soul

I can't just stand here and let you die
I can't just sit here and quickly fly
I can't just let loose my past and future
I can't just act like I suddenly knew them

I can't just watch you escape on your own
I can't just call out the dead on the phone

Things I see, can't possibly
Lead to my demise, because I'm unwise

I've made myself a part of the project
I've given all of it up for the project

I know those feet did in ancient times
Walk on England's mountain green
But did those eyes back in ancient days
See the new-fashioned hurtful haze
(I can't just give all my senses away)
I can't just let all my problems lay
I can't just give all my senses away

[Layered vocal tracks]

Best Kept Secret

In the day the light will understand
And in the night we'll see who I really am
Your mind drifts slowly to become more real
And he'll tell me slowly just how I can feel

But they'll never show how we do it
Because some answers are best kept secret

The smallest details lead to endless paths
You wander on and it just makes you laugh
He fills the void and drowns us in wonder
Quickly now we must charge asunder

But they'll never show how we do it
Because some answers are best kept secret

They'll tell you it's just not worth seeing
And make the box that contains your being
But we'll cast you on an infinite road
He'll change the way you endlessly grow

But they'll never show how we do it
Because some answers are best kept secret
Some answers are best kept secret

In the day the light will understand
And in the night we'll see who I really am
Your mind drifts slowly to become more real
And he'll tell me slowly just how I can feel

But they'll never show how we do it
Because some answers are best kept secret
Some answers are best kept secret

No Answer

In the land of emptiness I saw them walking away
I knew the feeling but it's all too fresh to say

The sleeping agents are all facing to the wall
Now quickly we must leave before it grows too old

Can you escape the maze of lies made long ago
Or will you find a faith that reaches down below?

No answer, No answer
Believe it if you can
No answer, No answer
Believe it if you can

No answer, No answer
Believe it if you can
No answer, No answer
Believe it if you can

No answer, No answer
Believe it if you can
No answer, No answer
Believe it if you can

Newsong

I live in the darkness in the house behind the wall
Come see my people, look how they'll fall

I live in the darkness in the house behind the wall
Come see my people, see how they'll fall

I live in the darkness and you'll never see me fall
Come see all my people, see how they'll fall
See how they'll fall
See how they'll fall

See how they'll fall I live in the darkness in the house behind the wall
Come see all my people, and see how they'll fall
See how they'll fall
See how they'll fall
See how they'll fall
See how they'll fall

And I know I'll see the end of time
And I know I'll see the end of time
When is it?

And I know I'll see the end of time
And I know I'll see the end of time
When is it?

I can't running for much longer I need some rest
I need some rest
I need some rest
I need some rest

Emergency
Emergency
Emergency
Emergency

Marathon Skies

I'm on the street
I've never seen myself go so fast
They're on edge
My mind is floating by

But it's hard to keep the focus
When the stars are moving faster than light
I couldn't care about myself
It's an everlasting race

But I'll get there in the end
I know I'm gonna finish among the stars
Among the stars

When you're breathing in the air
Surrounding me but I can't feel at all
I'm lost in a feeling
The thoughts are melting down

Enough With You

I've had enough with you
I've had enough with you
You give me all these lies
You give me all these lies

And now I don't know
What I'm supposed to do
Off you run while I'm still
Stuck down here with who?
With who? With you?
Without you

I've had enough with you
I've had enough with you
You torture me with smiles
You torture me with smiles

And now I don't know
What I'm supposed to do
My soul was ripped
With your daring eyes in two,
In two, in two
By you

We've had enough with you
We've had enough with you
It's easy just to hide
It's easy just to hide

When you're buried under
All those souls you broke in two,
In two, in two, by you
You lose, you lose, you lose

I've had enough with you
I've had enough with you
You give me all these lies
You give me all these lies

And now I don't know
What I'm supposed to do
Off you run while I'm still
Stuck down here with who?
With who? With you?
Without you