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You Asked

from Wanderlust, Vol​.​1 by John Zay

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about

I wrote the music for “You Asked” when I was a teenager. I knew I had a powerful piece but I couldn't find the lyrics to match it. Fast forward to when I started out in LA. I set up to work with a producer who was stalling, I was low on money and work and things generally seemed stagnant. I felt stuck and angry. I often thought of bailing, just setting up somewhere remote and living a simple life away from the complications of the modern world and doing music. “You Asked” became my vehicle for expressing my frustration around the difficulty of settling into our society as an artist. It is so hard for people to express their anger. Anger is a necessary emotion, one that is crucial to our wholeness as human beings. Finding a safe and effective way to release anger without alarming the neighbors or hurting anyone in the process is entirely possible. We weren't given a voice just to hold everything in. It starts with acknowledging that our anger is present when it comes up and not judging ourselves for having the feeling to begin with...

lyrics

You Asked
Music and Lyrics by John Zay

I want you to hear this
I’m calling out your name
Been trying to reach you for months
nothing is the same
I’ve lost my interest
feels like I’ve lost my mind
Sometimes I wonder how we
walk through this life blind

I tricked them and failed
wound up right inside their jail
In order to survive I’m up for sale
So now my hands are dirty and my fists are clenched
I’ve lost my reason, I don’t know what’s next
I’m scared to run, I don’t want to hide
My mind is tearing me up inside

You asked
You wanted to see if I’ve had enough
You should have known
Think fast
I’m looking for a reason not to go
You better know

The town feels empty
The streets are a mess
The trees are reaching out
they tell us what is next
The lies of shadows
are knocking on our doors
The children wander
cause they’ve lost their way home

I wish for peace
But I don’t know what that really means
When I see so many people
giving up on their dreams
And as hands line my pockets when I ‘m in distress
All the while ignoring this mess
I want off the grid, no power supply
I’m sick of greed, deceit and lies

You asked
You wanted to see if I’ve had enough
You should have known
Think fast
I’m looking for a reason not to go
You better know

credits

from Wanderlust, Vol​.​1, released November 22, 2012
John Zay - Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Percussion
Jack Stein - Rhodes on Chorus
Rico Bowen - Bass Guitar
Tobias Ralph - Drums

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John Zay New York, New York

I make Epic Lush Alt/Prog/Electronic Rock Songs
“John Zay is a superb guitar player, lyricist & vocalist as well. I’m a believer and you should be too!”
• Angelo Moore, Lead Singer of Fishbone

Vocalist, Guitarist, Multi-Instrumentalist & Producer. Shamanic Explorer, Plant Medicine Advocate, Lucid Dreamer and Surfer whenever possible. Currently in NYC ... more

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