A Piece Of American Pie

I wrote this one over 20 years ago and just recorded it at Studio 45B with the amazing instrumental and engineering talents of Grady James. Steve Stokes (formerly of the band Alabama) is featured on fiddle. Hope y'all enjoy it!

00:03:40

Thinking About Home

This song was written for dogs everywhere.

00:04:08

Cool Blue Water

Cool Blue Water Words & Music By John Barrett Copyright 2022 – BMI Nashville I was wishin I could disappear Go fishin where the water’s clear So I loaded up my truck and drove A hundred miles to the Gulf Coast Out on A pier with a cold beer My fishin pole and my fishin gear I cast out - as far as I could I said a prayer - I hoped it was a good one Kickin back when the line jerked Lord I guess my little prayer worked I reeled in and to my surprise A mermaid Beauty at the end of the line She said “Come with me baby cause I gotta plan”. Then she smiled and she took my hand She took me Oh, Oh, Oh Down in The Cool Blue Water She said “You know I’ve been looking for a good man So goin fishin was a good plan Now we goin low oh oh Way down in the Cool Blue Water” “Then together we swam away Out past Pensacola Bay And when we got to the coral reef We dove down and I couldn’t believe - my eyes” A little cottage in a valley A Sea horse in the coralee I thought I heard a church bell ring Catfish settin on a porch swing Now I’m living such a good life 2 kids and a beautiful wife A mermaid daughter a Manatee son Good Lord we have a lot of fun now – Come with me baby . . .

00:03:21

The Way of Happiness

The Way of Happiness is about Drinking. In this song the main character sees a light in the window of the house where his true Love lives. He knows he should go to her to show her his affection and for the comfort of them both. Instead he is drawn by the pint there in his Father's old flask and for whatever irrational reason, he would rather get drunk alone than explore Love. The Way of Happiness Words & Music by John Barrett & JW Brown There’s a light in her window this evening But there’s a pint here in Daddy’s old flask I should go to her yes, but it’s here that I’ll stay For The Way of Happiness For The Way of Happiness You know the prince and the pauper they’ll forever get alone Give a pint to them each and they’re blessed But the lovers they leave, ah forever will grieve! For The Way of Happiness For The Way of Happiness So with Daddy’s old pint for my courage And with Mother’s fine locked up old locket I went off to uncover the secret To The Way of Happiness The Way of Happiness And Love it meant, Love is meant for You And Love is meant, Love is meant for me too So lay down your bloody arms lads and raise your pint true For Love is meant, Love is meant for you And Love is meant for me too Here’s to my friends and the last time I saw them To good luck when I thought it would last To the lassie who passed me and threw me a kiss To The Way of Happiness To The Way of Happiness There’s a light in her window this evening But there’s a pint here in Daddy’s old flask

00:03:44

Thinkin' Bout Home (The Doggie Song)

I wrote this song back in 2000 when I first moved to Nashville. I was living in a tiny basement on 17th Avenue South - or Music Row Junior as I call it. The woman who lived upstairs had a little white dog that did nothing but bark. It nearly drove me crazy. But instead of losing my mind, I wrote Thinkin' About Home, my very first Nashville composition. I have an old studio recording of it with some great pickers including Dave Pomroy on upright bass. We recorded at Jay's Place studio just a few blocks away - also on 17th. But about a year ago I realized the song needed an important lyric change plus a short bridge and so, nearly 20 years later I re-release this song with just me and my old 1976 Gibson MK-35 guitar. One day when I have some money, I'll get back into the studio to re-record it but for now this simple version will have to do. That's my dog Maxwell in the photo. He's over 13 years old and still going strong despite his limitations. Man I know the feeling. : ) I hope you enjoy this song which is also known as The Doggie Song. John Barrett July 8, 2020 Nashville, Tennessee

00:04:51

Love's The Finest Thing

I wrote this song many years ago and it's still one of my favorites. I do miss the podcast, but am enjoying immersing myself once again in my music. I've never had children or a family of my own and I guess these songs are the closest thing to children I have in my life - other than my beautiful dog Maxwell of course! Each of these songs means a lot to me and each represents a part of my self and my journey. Love’s The Finest Thing Words & Music by John Barrett & JW Brown Well why don’t you all come along with me Easiest thing that you ever did see All you need’s your heart and mind And you won’t need that body in time Because Love’s The Finest Thing you know I tell you cause it’s true And it’s the easiest thing It’s the easiest thing to do Well why don’t you all come along with me Let’s go down to the river to see Talkin bout love and takin time A little bit of love will do you fine Because Love’s The Finest Thing you know I tell you cause it’s true And it’s the easiest thing It’s the easiest thing to do I hope you enjoy listening and sharing my songs freely with others. John Walden Brown Nashville, Tennessee May 11, 2020

00:02:04

Thankful

I wrote this song on piano many years ago when I was feeling pretty low about being single for so long. It's an expression of genuine Thankfulness for all I have in my life. It's also a musical prayer sent up to the Heavens asking for Love to come my way. So far I'm still single though I've had a few minor train wreck relationships in the mean time. I hope you enjoy the guitar version of this song. Thankful Words & Music by John Barrett & JW Brown My old man he once said, “Son you’re better off livin’ than dead” Now I’m still breathin’ you see, guess I’m doin’ it all for me I’m Thankful for all I’ve got, but I never seem to get a lot I’ll cry an ocean of tears, yeah I’ve been doin’ it here for years And might that ocean run dry – does it really matter when you’re high? I’m Thankful for all I’ve got Lord but I never seem to get a lot I never seem to get a lot of what I really need And Love is what I really need Just to be sure, I’ll spend a little time prayin’ on my knees Saying Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord Well Sunday morning I’m home, wish I could call you on the telephone There’s apple pie in the sky and will I really see you in the by and by I’m Thankful for all I’ve got Lord but I never seem to get a lot Amen

00:03:21

When I'm Here With You

This song was written many years ago in a way that surprised me at the time. I remember sitting down with the guitar and my little cassette tape recorder. I pushed record and then began to play. This song came out almost exactly like you'll hear on this recording. One of the few times when I felt like a song was given to me instead of written by me. It's a simple little song that always makes me smile. Love to all of you! JB When I’m Here With You Words & Music by John Barrett & JW Brown Well when I die just bury me Wherever you please, wherever you please And I hope you wont’ be needin me Yeah when I die and rise above Just cover my body with the cold damp mud It don’t matter to me, it don’t matter to me Well it don’t matter to me you know I lose my body and I’ll use my soul It don’t matter to me, it don’t matter to me But when I’m here with you you know Everything matters and it goes so slow When I’m Here With You Well when I die just bury me Wherever you please, wherever you please And I hope you wont’ be needin me

00:02:05

If She's The One

This is one of the shortest songs I've ever written. However, there is a 2nd part to it that requires a big band (really). The melodic theme is perfect for a big band and if I had the money right now, I'd hire the Duffy Jackson Big Band. They're here in Nashville and one of the best Big Bands in this part of the country. This song is a call to all young people who have a crush on someone. If you want her, need her, feel like you love her (or him), let her know! Don't wait. Next week they might meet someone else when that someone else could be you today. If you ask them out and they say no, don't worry about it. There are many fish in the sea and personally I find myself falling in love several times every day. And my own problem is probably the same as yours. I'm scared to death of rejection. But we shouldn't be. Life is short and love can last a lifetime so let's take that risk and ask that person out! Peace & Love to you guys! JB If She’s The One Words & Music by John Barrett & JW Brown If She’s The One, she’s the girl and you love her pal Let her know before the lights go out Cause she won’t always be around If you want her and you need her and you love her man Let her know before the sun goes down Cause she won’t always be around She won’t always live in this town You might look to find she can’t be found

00:00:56

Everything is Alright

I wrote this some some years back when I was suffering greatly from depression. I lived alone and in a place where I didn't know many people. At that time my guitar was my best friend and one day this song just came out. I polished it and cared for it and turned it in to what you find here. These days I still live alone but not really. I have a great dog named Maxwell and he is like a son to me. The only child I've ever had. When things seem bad or you feel depressed, remember This: There is One True Magic that will take your depression away and it works every time. And what is that One True Magic? It is the act of CREATION. Creation can mean writing a poem or a note to a friend. Creation can mean cooking a meal - even a simple meal like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or spaghetti with only garlic, butter, salt, pepper. Creation can mean reading something. When we are reading our minds are busy creating images as our eyes grab the symbols from the page and turn those symbols into our very own unique images, emotions and feelings. Creation can also mean creating a smile. If I smile at someone and they smile back, I am a creator of smiles! If I help a neighbor with a simple task, I can create a smile. I can also be a creator of frowns, of anger or of resentment. But I find that creating smiles makes me feel better about myself and better about my world. This all may sound crazy and maybe I am crazy. But today I'm happier than I was before I knew about the One True Magic. IMPORTANT NOTE: We all know that when it comes to life, "Everything is Alright" is not really true. But I wrote this song to encourage myself to be strong and I hope it brings some strength to you too. Peace, JB Everything Is Alright Words & Music by John Barrett & JW Brown Picture skies of brighter blue And find yourself there in tune Then look around and hear the news Everything Is Alright Everything Is Alright Everything Is Alright The other day I had the blues So bad I swear I was out of tune When all around I heard the news Everything Is Alright Everything Is Alright Everything Is Alright Everything Is Alright Everything is gonna be better in time You’ve never been in love well that’s alright And it’s alright to cry – but baby don’t cry Just picture skies of brighter blue And find yourself there in tune Then look around and hear the news Everything Is Alright Everything Is Alright Everything Is Alright

00:03:27