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Green Hearts

by Lesley Barth

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    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Big Time Baby, Woman Looking Back at Me, Pinwheels (feat. Shannon Söderlund & Chelsey Coy), Behind Green Hearts, Green Hearts, Just Like Summer, Good Like This, and Desire. , and , .

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1.
When you are lonely, sometimes the only thing you’ve got Is to be longing for all the things that you are not. When you’ve got heartache, sometimes the only thing to do Is to remember all that you can control is you.
2.
If love’s a lake, then I fell in And lost my goggles before the swim. My eyes were closed – Too scared to move, I froze there. If love’s a flame, I’d burn my nose While gazing in, while getting close Enough to know it’s there – Enough to know it’s burning. But love is not a flame And no matter how I try to lasso its meaning, It always escapes. Like writing stories without words Or writing songs without a name. But if love were a game, I’d like to win. And if there were teams, I’d like a friend – But now it seems like everybody’s scheming. I’d want somebody who wants me. Who closes his eyes so he can see I want someone who will never stop dreaming. But love is not a game And no matter how I try to lasso its meaning, It always escapes. Like writing stories without out words Or writing songs without a name. And love is not a game Oh but, baby, if it were Everything about it would still feel the same. ‘Cause, baby, after all, what is in a name?
3.
The Falling 03:16
I held on until September came around. The colder weather drove my thinking underground. And I got distracted by this new thing that I found – By the falling. By the falling. And it feels so good. And when he came he trailed this mystery everywhere: The way he said hello, the way he wore his hair. I know I fell for it but since there wasn’t nothing there I just kept falling And kept falling. And it felt so good then you touch ground. Someone told me love should lift you up, not let you down. (But if that’s so) I guess it isn’t love, what’s got me down this low. And so you pick yourself back up now that you know. But still you want just one more look before you go. What seemed so tempting then, well now it’s just a bunch of show Followed by following. It’s that falling. But it feels so good.
4.
In like a lion: how you roared! Made me forget all my words. Then like a lamb right out the door. Oh, vicious cycle. I want you, but I know you’re no good for me. So how come whenever I see you I keep thinking you might be? I love you just like summer. I need you like the rain. I long for you like springtime when winter comes again. I want you like tomorrow, But I know you just like yesterday. I love you just like summer when summer goes away. I had to step out from all this heat – Was never catching my breath. You’re like a song stuck on repeat. Oh, vicious cycle. I want you, but I know you’re no good for me. So how come whenever I see you I keep thinking you might be? Chorus (X2) Just like summer… (ad infinitum)
5.
I have a thousand things to say to you, and then a thousand more. But you say goodnight not realizing and walk on out the door. Oh babe if only you would stay the night – just a moment more! I could start to tell you all the things I’ve never said before. I got this dream inside my pocket, but I keep it from the world, And you’re the first I’ve seen who knows about this oyster and its pearl. And, though I’ve recognized myself in other men I met before, It was only in their faults and even then I wasn’t sure. I have collected all these memories, though I can’t say what they’re for. If you added them to daydreams, you could open your own store. But what I really mean to say is that I think often of you. That’s why sitting here beside you is not the easiest thing to do. You are so wonderful, so wonderful – even that, it wouldn’t do. I have no words to express the things I feel looking at you. It’s your kindness, your humanity – it’s what I’m starving for. For you, it’s not a struggle, but for them, it’s like a war. But what I really mean to say is that I think often of you. That’s why sitting here beside you is not the easiest thing to do.  
6.
Bad With You 04:06
Just let me be bad with you, baby. Why don’t you let me be bad with you, baby? It makes me a sad little lady when you won’t let me be bad. If there’s something you want me to do, you just gotta tell me. ‘Cause I’m here and I’m waiting on you – you won’t have to sell me. Just tell me. CHORUS If there’s somewhere I want you to go, I’ll show you the way there. When we get there, baby, please take it slow. Gonna want you to stay there – just right there. CHORUS Well, I know heaven’s not made for those who sin, But, baby, what we’re about to do ain’t sinning. And the chains that I’ll put you in won’t get you Turned away from heaven when you’re in them. CHORUS (x2)  
7.
Soul 02:40
You’re here in my eyes as I’m walking beside you. You’ll stay in my heart, now that I must go. ‘Cause see there’s this soul and, baby, it’s starving. I’ve known for long, I’ve got to move on and nourish this soul. I loved him to death – I know – nobody knows better. But what kind of life is that for someone to lead? Though it’s taken years to sew, I’m unraveling this sweater. I’ll knit it again, though I cannot say when – I guess when I’m cold. Now I’m standing here alone no longer so lonely. My presence is more than a friend, a lover, or both. So now’s just not the time to take to wanting you only. You must understand, I once loved a man and I hurt him so. You’re here in my eyes as I’m walking beside you. You’ll stay in my heart, now that I must go. ‘Cause see there’s this soul and, baby, it’s starving. I’ve known for long, I’ve got to move on and nourish this soul.
8.
Elaine 04:00
Midday-drunk, she signals for the waitress. Calls ‘round the car while he settles up their bill. Dressed to the nines in designer – each jewel a little finer. A marginal win for trading in her will. With the passing of youth, her dreams seem to get a bit further. While she pushes down doubt that’s been stirring at her core. Her future obscures here while everyone tries to cure her – It’s not cures that she wants. Not cures she’s looking for. So put ‘em down, Elaine. The time is now – there is no other. You’re always finding a way; maybe it’s time to find the truth. All those worries you carry only keep you stationary. Oh, put ‘em down, Elaine. Little girl raised to be ever so perfect. Perfect house, perfect hair, perfect man – but in her heart, Been holding on for forever to vintage cowboys in leather. Sometimes it’s not what you want, it’s what you need that drives the car. So put ‘em down, Elaine. The time is now – there is no other. You’re always finding a way; maybe it’s time to find the truth. All those worries you carry they are so unnecessary. Oh, put ‘em down, Elaine. Run with wind. Fast like the wind. Woe to the ones who get too old for fun. Oh, Elaine, it’s never to late to begin To put ‘em down, Elaine. The time is now – there is no other. You’re always finding a way; maybe it’s time to face the truth. All those worries you carry can’t be revolutionary. Oh, put ‘em down, Elaine. 
9.
Green Hearts 04:33
Do you remember the way it was? How grey it was? What day it was? ‘Cause I remember every cloud. Silence has never felt so loud. Do you remember the lines we fed? How you turned me red with the things you said. ‘Cause I remember every word Just as clearly as they were heard. And now we sit in different rooms doing the things we always do. The only difference is the silence that has come between us – And though we know what silence tends to do, Green hearts never fade from view. No matter where you go, green hearts are never all that far. But they don’t blossom so they stay with you. Ain’t nothing you can do when love grows where you are. Do you remember the way I laughed? Like a photograph? Like a phonograph? ‘Cause I remember all your lines – Your sense of humor not too refined. And now we sit in different rooms doing the things we always do. The only difference is the silence that has come between us – And though we know what silence tends to do, Green hearts never fade from view. No matter where you go, green hearts are never all that far. But they don’t blossom so they stay with you. Ain’t nothing you can do when love grows where you are. Even in the moment, it felt like you were giving me a memory. Like you were giving me a melody. Do you remember the way it was? How grey it was? What day it was?
10.
I thought I knew. Then there was you. Oh, lover, you came too late. Youthful and strong, You were made for a song, But, lover, you came too late. I’ve always been the kind of woman who had faith, But didn’t know exactly where she could place it. And when you came around, you shook up my foundations. You made me hungry, when I’ve no way to taste it. Catching your eyes – Those desire-filled sighs. It’s cruel how life makes you wait For that soft, slightest touch That’s already too much. Have mercy, oh, Brother Fate! You’ve always been the kind of man who makes a plan, You don’t sit around and wait for someone else to make it. Sometimes I’d look at you – I knew I better leave, ‘Cause when you see something you want, you go and take it. Tender and sweet, All those words you repeat, But, lover, they came too late. We’re not the first and we are certainly not last To feel that flame even while we do our best to tame it. See, lust can only do so much when you remember The fastest way to tame a flame is to rename it. I have been sure not to open the door For others who’ve tempted fate. But this urge is so strong, I’ll be longing for long. ‘Cause, lover, you came too late.
11.
Best Thing 04:20
I took a walk around the other side. A little talk. I thanked you for the ride. With just one kiss, all the feeling that we missed Came flooding back. Tell me, how the hell’d I get this far off track? Some people say that there’s no compromise, No other way. So they repeat their lies. But what if today we turned this whole damn thing around And found a way to throw a party over what was once hallowed ground? I wonder why you do me so good? Oh, you knew that you would. And you, baby, what’d you do to make me want you so bad? To be the best thing I’ve had. You’re the best thing I’ve had. Down on the street you get your fortune told. But what is it worth if you buy what you’ve been sold? See, all of this gold sits so close just out of reach. Bounties untold. Oh, it’s a great big ocean when you make it past the beach. I wonder why, you do me so good? Oh, you knew that you would. And you, baby, what’d you do to make me want you so bad? To be the best thing I’ve had. You’re the best thing I’ve had. Well, I guess that’s just the way this story goes. You just skim the surface but never get below. I, God I wonder why, you do me so good? Oh, you knew that you would. And you, baby, what’d you do to make me want you so bad? To be the best thing I’ve had. You’re the best thing I’ve had.

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released January 27, 2017

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Lesley Barth New York, New York

NYC singer/songwriter Lesley Barth's debut full-length Green Hearts, a 2017 album charting the course of young love, has been referred to as "one of the most intelligent, evocative albums to appear in recent years (Anti-Heroin Chic)."

Barth's sophomore album, Big Time Baby, will be out May 15th, 2020.
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