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Things We Should've Said

by Abi Moore

/
1.
There used to be a breeze in my sails, a heart in my chest But too much canon fire put this boat to rest See I’ve sailed these seas and I know how this world lies How it laughs at you with its jealous eyes See I was sitting here thinking that I could change the world But they turn ambition into a dirty word And if I hear what they say, they’ll take my fight away So let my ship sail North out in the wind. I used to think that I was strong - I had not a care There wasn’t a dream that I wouldn’t dare But people make it so easy to give up when they cut you down If I believed in that religion I’d never leave this town Folks here move slowly and steady and try to drag you down So they won’t get left behind when the world turns around Another stifled mind just seems to me a crime So let my ship sail North out in the wind. So let my ship sail North So let my ship sail forth So let my ship sail North out in the wind. And if it all fails, I’ll hold my head high At least I can say “didn’t I try?” Oh let my ship sail North So let my ship sail forth So let my ship sail North out in the wind. Oh let my ship sail North So let my ship sail forth So let my ship sail North out in the wind. So let my ship sail North out in the wind.
2.
When all of our heroes are junkies and our music is practically porn, When politicians are glorified flunkies- who will stand up for us all? Celebrities sell their own babies to the highest- bidding magazines And all of the fashionable ladies diet into size zero jeans I’m speaking out for the children I’ve not yet conceived And where will they learn their values- from the world or me? Has the whole world come undone? Has the whole world come undone? Has the whole world come undone tonight? Why does my bank always tell me that my savings will come to no harm When they’re responsible for the production of thousands of foreign arms? We hear of injustice daily in a country that nobody knows ‘Cause all of our stations are playing the same old reality shows We’d rather vote for the cabaret star of the year Than vote for a leader to free our country of fear Has the whole world come undone? Has the whole world come undone? Has the whole world come undone tonight? Look at the scientists cloning humans- they can surely invent a new fuel? But where is the oil baron’s profit in energy renewal? Look at the planet’s percentage of water – why do people die from thirst? And all the junk that we eat over Christmas could feed the whole damn earth How can I fight this when no one is on my side? When they are called upon, they choose to run and hide Has the whole world come undone? Has the whole world come undone? Has the whole world come undone tonight? So are we all done asking questions? Have we finished demanding the truth? And is caring for our generation just something we used to do? Humans have so many rights now we don’t know what constitutes wrong Conversation becomes compensation if we can pass all the blame along Our children are learning to live and to die by the knife But this ain’t no video game, now they kill in real life Has the whole world come undone? Has the whole world come undone? Has the whole world come undone tonight?
3.
You look into my eyes to find something beautiful inside But then you turn away, like you didn’t even try ‘Cause all you see inside of me is the girl that I pretend to be I’m so cold and hard and difficult to love But I’m not invincible; my heart is vulnerable I guess I’m culpable for building all these walls But tell me, did you miss something? If you try just once again, maybe you could break through them all CHORUS Come on, make me happy Half the fun is trying Come on and show me what this love thing is all about Come on, make me happy It’s not that hard to do Taking a chance on me will be the best thing you ever do Ice is water if you melt it down, mountains move if you shift the ground And if you weren’t so blind you’d see that this is how my emotions can be found All I need is that melting point, or someone there to rock that joint Who’s not afraid to love me as I am Don’t let my love just pass you by ‘cause you think that I’m not the loving kind Don’t think I couldn’t blow your mind; I’ll be the best thing you never find Stand here and look me in the eye, like you really want to break the ice Push me and shove me ‘til I cry- are you man enough to try? CHORUS How many people out there today just take their love and waste it away On the first “someone” who comes their way? I don’t wanna sound unrealistic but I don’t wanna be a divorce statistic I don’t have the time to play these games I will wait forever and a day for someone to Come on and make me happy, come on and read my mind Wrap your wings all around me, turn my water into wine Come on and make me happy, it’s not that hard to do Take a chance on me and I’ll take a chance on you.
4.
I love the sound of silence; I love the sound of peace I love the sound of nothing among these burned out streets A white flag flying high is my sweet lullaby- do you know what I mean? I love the sound of music when it’s played to make things right I love the sound of empty guns when they’ve given up the fight A white flag in the ground- is there any sweeter sound? Do you know what I mean? All these telecommunications and we can’t get through to the nations I hate the sound of blindness when the selfish won’t see facts I hate the sound of silver knives when they’re thrown into my back And that awful sound they make when they turn their heads away- do you know what I mean? They’ll hate the sound of judgement from the mighty man They’re gonna have to explain themselves when he takes them in his hand And how I’ll love the sound when karma comes around- do you know what I mean? World Leaders and Power Seekers keep our nights so very sleepless They’ll hate the sound of silence when it’s ringing in their ears With all that blood upon their hands, they will fear silence like this And how I’ll love the sound when karma comes around- do you know what I mean? (World Leaders and Power Seekers) (World Leaders and Power Seekers) – I think you know what I mean (World Leaders and Power Seekers) (World Leaders and Power Seekers) (Keep our nights so very sleepless) (World Leaders and Power Seekers) – I think you know what I mean
5.
Who Dares? 03:57
Every single day I could learn a word that describes how I feel for you But I don’t recall one I could use to illustrate you Every other day I could find a face in the crowd that reminds me of you But I don’t believe there’s one I could find to justify you And who dares? Cos I don’t And who cares? Cos you won’t Every day I could stare out at the rain and count the drops that fall on the pane But what it would it prove? That I just can’t move on with my life I could even learn to love again - that’s what I intended to do So I’ll look away, remember the days and forget about you But who dares? Cos I don’t. And who cares? Cos you won’t. Every month I could write another page in the book I make about you But they’re all the same; every last page is filled up with you Every season change I could plant a seed amongst the flowers that grow here for you But I cannot see a rose as lovely as compares to you And who dares? Who dares? Who dares? Cos I don’t. And who cares? Who cares? Who cares? Cos you won’t. Cos you won’t. Cos you won’t. Cos you won’t.
6.
Take my hand, let’s fly away Let’s make the most of a beautiful day Let’s play a game of a different kind And for once let’s just leave the world behind Tell me why I should apologise for feeling strong No dues left to pay- I’ve prayed for this day my whole life long Rather than wanting to scream out loud I’ve been waiting to just breathe in, breathe out Just breathe in, breathe out What’s so wrong with a lovely sky? Sunlight in my eyes makes me cry And what’s so wrong with an honest smile? I hear it does you good once in a while I’m changing my story ‘cause there is no glory in emptiness It plays no part but leaving your heart with a layer of dust So blow it off and learn to love again And one day you’ll learn to be your own best friend So just breathe out, breathe in It’s not the pain that makes you wise It’s the looking at it all with humble eyes I never was the type to scream and shout I’ll just breathe in, breathe out Well if there’s one thing I know- it’s hard letting go, but I will try ‘Cause life is a game and if it’s dealt, I must play, by God’s design Nobody knows what it’s all about The best thing to do is just breathe in, breathe out Just breathe in, breathe out Take my hand, let’s fly away Last one to leave has to stay (And it won’t be me)
7.
And all those memories I hold inside my head When will I get the chance to put them all to bed? Breathe life into me so I shall not be dead And I’ll understand you’ve taken him instead And I rely on somewhere out there being a heaven What other choice have I to beg on? Take me up so gently, as if I’m in a dream, and I will go gladly ‘Cause that’s the way it is Until you’ve been through this, I swear you’ll never know How it feels to never, ever let it go To say goodbye to he who taught the word “hello” Remaining silent when there are words he should have known And then I find a friend upon whose dirty mind, there’s always something more To whom I give the key to open up my door Take another piece of me; toss me aside carelessly so I can hardly breathe Well that’s the way it is Oh lovely, lovely boy, come to me tonight Upon my pillow may your ghostly head alight And I shall whisper all those words I should have said We can even pretend that you’re not dead And I won’t cry and I’m so sorry that my tears kept you away From the kingdom where your soul deserves to lay And if it’s all the same- can I use your last name as if I’m in a game? I hope you’re not ashamed; it’s just a way to help me deal with all of this pain Well that’s the way it is That’s just the way it is Now that’s the way it is That’s just the way it is
8.
You’ll get no ballad out of me, you tiny little man No sweeping strings, no violins, but a funky, feel-good band You left me mute for five whole days and silent for nine years more You left me with an expressionless face and a heartless core But you didn’t bargain on the passing of time or the gaining of wisdom and friends I’ve some here now and we’ve got something to say by way of making amends CHORUS I’ve found my voice and I’m gonna use it Now it’s back, I’m not gonna lose it Hey, Hey, Hey I’ve found my voice and I’m gonna use it Now it’s back, I’m not gonna lose it Hey, Hey, Hey Desperate times call for desperate measures and you’re a Desperate man seeking desperate pleasures By stealing from innocent children what you can’t get from a consenting woman You should’ve thanked your lucky stars you found in me the perfect rose My silent tongue where secrets belong would ensure the case stayed closed But you didn’t bargain on the rose growing wild or the thorns growing stronger “Your word or mine”- that’s always their line- but it won’t be for very much longer Because I’ve found my voice and I’m gonna use it Now it’s back, I’m not gonna lose it Hey, Hey, Hey I’ve found my voice and I’m gonna use it Now it’s back, I’m not gonna lose it Hey, Hey, Hey It may be too late for you to get what you’re due And you’ve escaped justice in this life But you won’t escape from the man in the sky, No, he’ll be watching ‘til the day you die No, no- don’t think he doesn’t know. No, no- don’t think he doesn’t know No, no- don’t think he doesn’t know, No, no- don’t think he doesn’t know Do you kiss your wife with that mouth, and put your children to bed? Where is the guilt that you should feel? You placed it all upon my head CHORUS x 2 And the moral of the story is, I was just a child back then But woe betide the man who tries to steal from me again.
9.
Would you believe in you and me? And everything I’d do for you? Would you know, without being told, Just what I would go through for you? What difference would it make? What would it really change If I ever got it through to you? I don’t know without being told Just how much I can tell you Every time I try, I’m wondering why But I think I love you On my own advice, I realise You’re not ready for my love But who am I to say? What am I but a child? I’ve got so much left to learn, my opinions won’t be heard I’m too young to understand The truth, you learn, takes time to burn But I’ve learned so much, so fast Never expected you to accept it I know it’s way beyond your grasp I want to show all I know And how much I have grown (for you) But do I teach you or shall I leave you To learn it on your own? Can you understand the Promised Land Lies beneath these grains of sand? And if we strive, we’ll arrive Come, I’ll take you by the hand But who am I to say? What am I but a child? I’ve got so much left to learn My opinions won’t be heard I’m too young to understand Every time I try, I’m wondering why But I think I love you On my own advice, I realise You’re not ready for me Can you understand the Promised Land Lies beneath these grains of sand? And if we strive, we’ll arrive Come, I’ll take you by the hand But who am I to say? What am I but a child? I’ve got so much left to learn My opinions won’t be heard I’m too young to understand
10.
VERSE 1 Never mind what’s been said, you took up too much room in my bed I gave you all the sheets but you left the best part out Never mind what’s been done, I took the bullets out of your gun You gave me all the power and I blew your heart out Never mind, what’s the use? I’m sick of all the lies and you’re sick of the truth If I gave you the choice you would take the wrong way out Stay here in your Disneyland- I’ll grow up and you’ll grow down I don’t want inheritance of your lacklustre crown CHORUS All you say is that you want to hold me but all you do is just hold me back All you say is that you bring me all I need but all you bring me is down to my knees VERSE 2 I had a hundred thousand dreams and every single one, it seems, Ends up broken in your hands Building my ladder to the sky, always aiming up so high Never featured in your plans If you catch a butterfly and hold it in your hands so tight, It still won’t grow to love your palm So please release me from your grip, please un-join me from your hip Before you go and do me further harm CHORUS All you say is that you want to hold me but all you do is just hold me back All you say is that you bring me all I need but all you bring me is down to my knees VERSE 3 Look at us now the table’s turned - I got free and you got burned Now you’re gonna have trouble working this one out Your shirt is too big for me – I never could wear my heart on my sleeve I’m ripping it off because I just cannot carry all your doubt All you say is that you want to hold me but all you do is just hold me back All you say is that you bring me all I need but all you bring me is down to my knees All you say is that you want to hold me but all you do is just hold me back All you say is that you bring me all I need but all you bring me is down to my knees
11.
Tell my friends that I’m so lucky I don’t know what I’ve got Tell my friends I’m talking so, but I know not what I speak of Tell my friends that I’m so sorry I can’t explain myself Tell my friends that they’ve been giving their friendship to someone else Tell my lover he’s been cheated, though I’ve stayed so true to him Tell him I am not the woman he thought he’d end up with Tell my lover that I’ve trained myself to never fall in love Tell him that his love’s so pure - something I just don’t deserve Tell my Mum when I rejected all the love that she expected Tell her it was not because I never needed her In fact the times I needed her most, you see, are the times she walked away Left me waiting upon the staircase for her safe return one day Left little notes under my pillow as part of the game she’d play Tell my Dad I’m disappointed it ended up this way That he had to look away from home to hear somebody say That he’s loved without condition, but also make him see That maybe he could’ve said the same damn thing to me Tell my brother that I’m old enough to forgive and to forget Tell him that I’m not a victim just living with regret Say the grass ain’t always greener, and what he didn’t get I was given far too much of and he’s better off instead Tell my anxious little sister to let down all her hair Tell her I am not the yardstick by which she must compare Tell her please to let the world rejoice in her sweet smile Tell her all my life I’d give her if ever she requires Tell everyone I know I’m going away And when I’m coming back, I simply cannot say There’ll be no phone number to contact me upon And when I say I’m going - I really mean I’m gone I really mean I’m gone. I really mean I’m gone, gone, gone, gone, gone I really mean I’m gone. I’m gone, I’m gone… On second thoughts, leaving in this way would make me just like her I swear I can see the ghost of me crying alone on the stair I take a second to remind myself of who I really am The stronger person has to stay to face the music and dance So tell my friends, my love, my family, not a single word Just retract all that I’ve told you, as if you’d never heard And this momentary weakness by tomorrow all will go If you don’t say and I don’t say - then no one has to know
12.
Outro 00:33
If we could live our lives saying what we meant How many lives could we have saved? If we could live our lives saying what we meant Maybe we’d kill pain before pain kills us instead

about

Whenever a singer-songwriter begins to make any kind of waves in the music industry, it is common practice for critics to liken them to as many other artists as they can think of.
With Abi Moore, that is a very difficult thing to do. To put it bluntly, she sounds like Abi Moore, and if you haven't heard of her yet, then you're about to!
Abi’s second album, Things We Should've Said, is a confident outing, often sassy at times, and with a really strong underlying message of optimism and hope.
If the lyrical content of this album must be likened to anyone else's, then Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. would probably be the first name springing to mind.
The album features strikingly-titled songs such as 'Has the Whole World Come Undone?' and 'World Leaders and Power Seekers' which are laced with legitimate questions as to whether ordinary people can change the state of the world; and while her dreams of seeing a change for the better may never be realised, at least she's bold enough to try.
The latter of the aforementioned tracks features a multitude of deliciously cynical couplets, with the superb "We'd rather vote for the cabaret star of the year, than vote for a leader to free our country of fear" being the absolute pick of the bunch.
It’s not all pop and politics, however, and there are some deeply emotional numbers here too, namely the six-minute album closer Tell Everyone.
Her voice boasts an immense beauty which should touch your inner soul and have the hairs on the back of your neck standing to attention from the album's very beginning.
All in all, Things We Should've Said is as near to the perfect album as you're ever likely to hear, and that is no exaggeration.
There is only so long talents like Abi can stay undiscovered by the masses, and while she must never lose her independent roots, if she isn't performing at the Glastonbury Festival within the next few years, I fear Abi’s very own idea that the world has come undone may be more accurate than not!

The Standard


"Evocative and simply stunning album that highlights the voice of this up-and-coming artist so well.
Becoming something of a legend in her native Lincolnshire, Abi Moore’s career has not exactly been a run-of-the-mill success story. Attending a strict grammar school which never really tolerated its students pursuing a career in music, Abi decided well before she was 18 to make a go of it in music.
With her music played in countless coffee bars in her native county and playing with a number of legendary acts, such as 10CC, this mid-twenties performer is bound for great things judging by evidence of this album.
Perhaps the best track of the twelve is “Has The Whole World Come Undone?” Covering all types of social matters from world hunger, politicians becoming increasingly greedy and even catwalk models turning more skeletal by the day, this is a track so good that it should have been released during the Civil Rights Movement and not the financial crisis. Highlighting what a great songwriter she is, this is a protest song to match the best of them; possibly even Barry McGuire’s “Eve of Destruction.”
With its ghostly harmonies and simple yet grand acoustic backing, “The Way It Is” has such a pleasant sound, which begs crowd participation for it to be fully enjoyed. 4.5 stars out of 5.”

Maverick Magazine

credits

released March 7, 2009

Abi Moore: Vocals, Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Violins, Peruvian Mandolina (Track 5), Keyboards- (Harp & Harpsichord on Track 7, Strings on Track 11), Djembes (Tracks 2 & 10), Chimes, Tambourine and other percussion
Adam Schofield: Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar
Ian Leese: Double Bass, Acoustic & Electric Fretless Bass, Backing Vocals (Track 10)
Martin Collins: Drums
Hilary Waterfall: Accordion (Track 1)
Nev Carmichael: Tenor Saxophone (Track 8)
Heather Benson: Trumpet (Track 8)

All Music, Lyrics and Songs © Abi Moore (MCPS- PRS)
All instrument arrangements by Abi Moore and the musicians
All recording, mixing, editing, production, artwork and engineering by Abi Moore.
Initial mastering by Ken Blair for BMP Recording
Final mastering by Andrew Newlove at Fairview Studios

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Abi Moore UK

Americana / Roots-Rock artist from Nottingham. Abi's 4th studio album No More Chasing marks a raucous return after 10 years.

"Impactful, gritty, & above all, brimming with conviction. Abi's stripped back, stomp 'n' holler sound instantly took us to KT Tunstall, while her rootsy, distorted Americana guitar twangs have a delicious White Stripes flavour." RCM
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