Album Notes

"Speak Now" was recorded in five rooms in New York, one in California, and one in Iowa. Many of the songs are about change and transition, and the damage done by the passing of time, silence, inertia and inaction (or action at the wrong time)

Some notes about the songs

God Save New Orleans- this was written as the rains were
still falling and recorded in Iowa
on the following Fat Tuesday

Violin was played by Andrew Crowe
Kate Willer and Jessica Bradish
sang harmony

Dance Lessons- This was inspired by a story about
Marge Champion still practicing every day
and by some rehearsals of my own

Heartache- This sentiment was given to me by someone who
found me too chaotic to handle

All Your Might- Recorded in Los Angeles just after the
Karaoketown and Outskirts sessions

Santana- For my cousin

Rained On-Written during a freezing rainstorm at the
central park resevoir-the first song I wrote
in New York

Chinatown Bus- An east coast reference inspired by many
trips to Philidelphia and Boston

Your Gay Friend- speaks for itself

Esmerelda- About my friend's second uterus which I named
and imagined as a jealous lover. Not joking

Lesson Plans- Inspired by a woman I knew in Eufaula, AL

Speak Now- Inspired by something said in Atlantic City
and fleshed out at a funeral procession in
Crowne Heights

Lie- From the "Songs From the Magic Trash Can" record soon
to be released

Colorado- A true story-originally sung by Ben Roseberry
on "Seasoned Greetings"-here is my version

Sing as Soft as You Can- From the Diner

Is That Your New Man, and Stop Growing Up- for Liza

Peace Be With You- The only song written while sitting by
the magic trash can-Usef the janitor
at World Wide Plaza was quite taken
with it

Make 'Em Miss You- inspired by a conversation with a friend