John Speckine Music

Music by Yulli Kepler

Lyrics by John Speckine

©2020

PERFORMED BY

Yulli Keplër - Drums, percussion, bass, electric guitar

John Speckine - Acoustic guitar, electric guitar, vocals

CHRISTMAS WITH YOU (Under the Mistletoe)

We waited through the summer

We waited all year long

Excitement started building

As autumn rolled along

Now lights on the tree and wreath hanging on the door

Grinch is in the yard and Santa’s there, too

Pies in the oven, gifts wrapped so merrily

I can’t wait to spend my Christmas with you

The yard lights blink and sparkle

Can be seen from the moon

Christmas songs are playing

And we know every tune

Rudolph and Frosty, Drummer Boy and Silent Night

John Lennon’s “Happy Christmas”, too

We sing along as we get silly drinking nog

I can’t wait to spend my Christmas with you

Stand with me under the mistletoe

(Lights on the tree, a wreath on the door)

Stand with me under the mistletoe

(Grinch is in the yard and Santa's there too)

Stand with me under the mistletoe

(Pies in the oven, gifts wrapped so merrily)

Stand with me under the mistletoe

(I can’t wait to spend my Christmas with you)

Stand with me under the mistletoe

(I can’t wait to spend my Christmas with you)

REPEAT AND FADE

Written by John Speckine ©2020

Music originally created for lyrics written by someone else (I don't name names without specific permission). It was slower than she wanted, but I liked the music so I kept it.

I tried to put my own lyrics to it, but after listening to it a few times, I decided to make it my first instrumental.

What's the song title mean? I used the original lyricist's first name in the title (with her permission).

INSTRUMENTATION:

Banjo

Guitar - BASS

Guitar - ACOUSTIC RHYTHM

Guitar - ELECTRIC RHYTHM

Guitar - ELECTRIC LEAD

Keys - STRINGS

Keys - VOCALIZATION ENSEMBLE

Drums

Words and Music ©2018 by John Speckine

LYRICS:

Long time ago, a day came when I fell in love with you

Since then, nothing's been the same

I love you so, I feel like I am standing next to you

Any time I hear your name

But I lost you long ago

And every day, I still see your face

And I wonder how you are

And if I'll ever again feel your heart race

But I lost you long ago

Long time ago, a day came when you said that you love me

And my dreams had all come true

Then came a day I made you cry and say goodbye to me

My life is empty without you

But I lost you long ago

And every day, I still see your face

And I wonder how you are

And if I'll ever again feel your heart race

But I lost you long ago

BREAK

But I lost you long ago

And every day, I still see your face

I still wonder how you are

And if I'll ever again feel your heart race

All words and music ©2018 by John Speckine

All words and music ©2002, 2020 by John Speckine

This is a song written specifically for the band I was in at the time, for an upcoming date to open for Keith Urban and Montgomery-Gentry.

Based loosely on actual events, the "true" part of the story ends with the dancing. LONG ago, and only one night, I danced with a Chicago Bears Cheerleader and her best friend, a professional rodeo barrel racer, with me in the middle - a LUCKY-ME SANDWICH. (I was MUCH younger and more limber at the time). Everything after that is a blatant lie. :)

LYRICS:

Sittin' on a bar stool just the other night

Had a couple drinks and I was feelin' right

When in through the door walked a blonde and brunette

I didn't know 'em, hadn't met 'em yet

But it don't matter which one I choose

I got nothin' to lose

I see 'em take a table, sittin' all alone

I figure that's the way I'm prob'ly goin' home

But I'll walk on over and I'll ask one to dance

She can only say "No"; I guess I'll take a chance

It don't matter which one I choose

I got nothin' to lose

I got nothin' to lose

I got nothin' to lose

If that's the way you look at things

Nothin' ever give you the blues

I think I'll prob'ly end up all alone tonight

But one of them gals might wanna hold me tight

It don't matter which one I choose

I got nothin' to lose

When I got to their table, I stoped and said, "Ma'am,

would you care to dance?" They both said "Yeah."

The music was slow

They both stood and each took my hand

They had a lucky-me sandwich

They made me glad I'm a man

I got nothin' to lose

I got nothin' to lose

If that's the way you look at things

Nothin' ever give you the blues

I was thinkin' that I'd prob'ly be alone tonight

But these little ladies gonna treat me right

It don't matter which one I choose

I got nothin' to lose

BREAK

I got nothin' to lose

I got nothin' to lose

If that's the way you look at things

Nothin' ever give you the blues

I was thinkin' that I'd prob'ly be alone tonight

But these little ladies gonna treat me right

It don't matter which one I choose

I got nothin' to lose

No, it don't matter which one I choose

I got nothin' to lose

Said, it don't matter which one I choose

I got nothin' to lose

A-haw-haw-haw-haw

All words and music ©2002, 2016 by John Speckine

All words and music ©1987, 2003, 2016, 2025 by JOHN SPECKINE

Lyrics below.

I wrote this around 4:00 AM sitting in the Air Passenger Terminal at Torrejon Air Base in Madrid, Spain. I was on my way back to Athens after losing my wife a year-and-a-half earlier. I was miserable, but I really didn't want to write another depressing, 'tears-in-your-beer' kind of song, so I made myself write something upbeat.

I think it'd be a fun little country swing.

LYRICS:

Well, I'm stayin' up all night

Gotta catch an early flight

And you're on my mind again

Why don't you go away?

Out of my mind to stay.

I don't wanna think of you

Today

I don't wanna think of you

Today

I don't wanna think of you

And when my plane is on the ground

I'm sure you'll still be around

gnawing on my soul again

I can't sleep at night

Since you said goodbye

I don't wanna think of you

Tonight

I don't wanna think of you

Tonight

I don't wanna think of you

BREAK

Why don't you go away?

Out of my mind to stay.

I don't wanna think of you

Today

I don't wanna think of you

Today

I don't wanna think of you

Tonight

I don't wanna think of you

Tonight

I don't wanna think of you

©1987, 2003, 2016

All words and music by JOHN SPECKINE

Words and Music ©2001, 2016, 2025 by John Speckine

This is one of three I wrote for the band "Border Line" (of which I was a member). The three songs were played on September 22, 2002 when we opened for Keith Urban and Montgomery-Gentry. This song closed our set. The crowd of over 21,000 people gave it a good review. We, an unknown bar band, signed autographs for over 90 minutes afterwards, so we must have done something right. :)

It's a fun thing to relive and brag about. I may never get to play in front of 21,000 people again, but I did get to do it once. :)

LYRICS:

There was a time when I'd resigned myself to life alone

There was a time that I had given up on love

There was a time when I decided not to look for love

Now I believe in miracles

The butterflies inside my stomach were the size of eagles

Before the first time that I saw you face to face

I wondered how I'd feel the first time I looked in your eyes

Now I believe in miracles

I need your love more than I need the air inside my lungs, and

I need your love more than I need a bite to eat

I need your love more than I need a drink to quench my thirst, and

Without your love, I'd shrivel up and die

Right up and die

BRIDGE

When I shut my truck door and walked up to where you were waiting

I realized I'd found the true love of my life

And real amazement hit me when you said you felt the same thing

Now I believe in miracles

I need your love more than I need the air inside my lungs, and

I need your love more than I need a bite to eat

I need your love more than I need a drink to quench my thirst, and

Without your love, I'd shrivel up and die

Right up and die

BREAK

I need your love more than I need the air inside my lungs, and

I need your love more than I need a bite to eat

I need your love more than I need a drink to quench my thirst, and

Without your love, I'd shrivel up and die

Right up and die

I need your love more than I need the air inside my lungs, and

I need your love more than I need a bite to eat

I need your love more than I need a drink to quench my thirst, and

Without your love, I'd shrivel up and die

Right up and die

Words and Music ©2001, 2016 by John Speckine

A gut-punch song about My Jody. NOTE: That is NOT Jody on the cover. This young lady used to cook for me (through the VA - I'm a disabled vet, in case you forgot) and gave me permission to use her photo.

Words and Music ©2012 by John Speckine

LYRICS:

Once upon a time

There was a woman just for me

I knew all of my dreams could now come true

She gave me love and she gave me hope

Of a future that could be

Why she fell in love with me, I never knew

Having her in my arms

Was the best part of my life

And when she was my wife, thank God for her

I'd wake up every morning

And make love to her again

How I loved my Jody Lynn and cherished her

It didn't last forever

It was way too short a time

But I still have every memory

From the days when she was mine

She was young and she was beautiful

And she was my best friend

Even though it had to end, I love her still

BREAK

It didn't last forever

It was way too short a time

But I still have every memory

From the days when she was mine

She was young and she was beautiful

And she was my best friend

Even though it had to end, I love her still

She was young and she was beautiful

And she was my best friend

Even though it had to end, I love her still

Even though it had to end, I love her still

Once upon a time

There was a woman just for me

Why she fell in love with me, I never knew

Words and Music ©2012 by John Speckine

Words and Music ©2017, 2025 by John Speckine

LYRICS:

Every night when the sun goes down

I feel a quick shot of fear

'Cause when I lay my head down and close my eyes

Dreams sometimes bring you right here.

In these dreams, sometimes you’re here with me

Like you never said goodbye

And in others, I relive you leaving me

And wake up wanting to die

BRIDGE

When my eyes open the first light of day

Already, I can see your face

And your memory’s with me wherever I go

Every time and every place

Though it’s been years since you said goodbye

Your memory still stays alive

Maybe a song or a place that we used to go

Puts you back into my mind

I don’t want to sleep, don’t want to wake up

Both end up breaking my heart

But I don’t know what’s worse, dreams or memories

Ever since we’ve been apart

BREAK

It seems to me you’re always on my mind

You’re on my mind every day

And there are days that your memory makes me cry

I wish it would just go away

Each night I sleep with the TV on

To keep me from thinking of you

But no matter, as soon as I go to sleep

You’re in my dreams - what else is new?

I don’t want to sleep, don’t want to wake up

Both end up breaking my heart

But I don’t know what’s worse, dreams or memories

Ever since we’ve been apart

No, I don’t know what’s worse, dreams or memories

Ever since we’ve been apart.

Words and Music ©2017 by John Speckine

What passes for philosophy in my world. :)

Words and Music ©2013 by John Speckine

Renewed: ©2025

LYRICS:

In school, you had your first lover

Sometimes they're still on your mind

But they're married to someone else

So you don't look back

You had a chance to go big time

You turned it down for your dream

Your dream just didn't pan out

So you don't look back

Don't think about the past

It'll just ruin your day

It happened long ago

And you can't let it stand in your way

So you don't look back

If you don't know where your heart is

Don't look back

At a time that's here and gone

Don't look back

For a love that has departed

Don't look back

Got to keep moving on

BRIDGE

Sometimes you make bad decisions

That effect the course of your life

But you can't let it get you down

So you don't look back

And even when things have worked out

You can't just sit on your heels

Gotta move to the next big thing

So you don't look back

Don't think about the past

It'll just ruin your day

It happened long ago

And you can't let it stand in your way

So you don't look back

If you don't know where your heart is

Don't look back

At a time that's here and gone

Don't look back

For a love that has departed

Don't look back

Just got to keep moving on

So you don't look back

If you don't know where your heart is

Don't look back

At a time that's here and gone

Don't look back

For a love that has departed

Don't look back

Got to keep moving on

Moving on

Don't look back

Don't look back

Don't look back

Don't look back

Don't look back

Words and music ©2012 by John Speckine

All music and lyrics ©2014 by John Speckine

Renewed: ©2025

Lyrics below.

BACKSTORY: If you're a fan of the Doobie Brothers, you might notice the similarity of THIS song and the Doobie's "Take Me in Your Arms" - not in the sound (I've occasionally been told I sound like a couple of famous musicians/bands, but never the Doobies). The similarity is in the subject combined with tempo.

"Take Me in Your Arms" is a very upbeat song but the subject is far from happy. It's about seeing someone for the last time.

This is, more or less, my "Take Me In Your Arms".

So... Tempo = Upbeat. Subject, not so much.

Words & Music ©2014 by John Speckine

LYRICS:

I'm sittin' in the darkness with the radio on

I'm thinkin' 'bout you - I know that you're leavin'

I listen to the music of another sad song

And think about you - I don't like this feeling at all

You, you were my girl, you were my world

But now you say you're goin'

'Cause I am not the guy you wanna love

Now you've packed up your things, you'll get on a plane

And you'll be gone forever

And I think that I might just lose my mind

I'm sittin' in the darkness with the radio on

I'm thinkin' 'bout you - I know that you're leavin'

I listen to the music of another sad song

And think about you - I don't like this feeling at all

I gave you my love, I gave you my life

From the first time that I met you

And you said you would be forever for me

But we, we grew apart and I lost your heart

And now you say you're goin'

And I think that I might just lose my mind

I'm sittin' in the darkness with the radio on

I'm thinkin' 'bout you - I know that you're leavin'

I listen to the music of another sad song

And think about you - I don't like this feeling

I'm sittin' in the darkness with the radio on

I'm thinkin' 'bout you - I know that you're leavin'

I listen to the music of another sad song

And think about you - I don't like this feeling at all

BREAK

I'm sittin' in the darkness with the radio on

I'm thinkin' 'bout you - I know that you're leavin'

I listen to the music of another sad song

And think about you - I don't like this feeling

I'm sittin' in the darkness with the radio on

I'm thinkin' 'bout you - I know that you're leavin'

I listen to the music of another sad song

And think about you - I don't like this feeling at all

All words and music ©2014 by John Speckine