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Threshold

by Cordelia Stephens

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1.
Threshold 03:51
THRESHOLD The Sun is setting on the first day of July And clouds of pink and blue trail ribbons through the sky My mind is turning to the things it must decide Not knowing, not showing What is on the other side You make me laugh, you make me cry so get me out of here. You make me laugh, you make me cry my dear The Moon is rising but it’s eighty-nine degrees Its icy face belies the incandescent heat My heart blows hot and cold, its hopes and fears abide Not knowing, not showing What is on the other side You make me laugh, you make me cry so get me out of here You make me laugh, you make me cry my dear. Will I look over my shoulder As you carry me over the threshold? You make me laugh, you make me cry so get me out of here You make me laugh, you make me cry my dear You make me laugh, you make me cry so get me out of here You make me laugh, you make me cry my dear
2.
I'LL FIND A WAY I certainly don’t mind extending favors You can always pay me back some time Your gratitude comes in so many flavors One day it’s diamonds the next day dimes I’ll find a way (to make you love me) I’ll find a way I’ll find a way (to make you love me) I’ll find a way People have said you’re too hot to handle Maybe I’ll just put you down a while Hoping that you’ll run back guns a blazing Ain’t nothing good boy about goodbyes I’ll find a way (to make you love me) I’ll find a way I’ll find a way (to make you love me) I’ll find a way Walking around with my eyes wide open I finally feel like I’ve recognized What you really mean by “I’ll call you later” I’m feeling like the consolation prize But I’ll find a way (to make you love me) I’ll find a way I’ll find a way (to make you love me) I’ll find a way But I’ll find a way (to make you love me) I’ll find a way I’ll find a way (to make you love me) I’ll find a way
3.
ALL I’M ASKING Salt glistens on the sidewalk and rubs the wounds of heart and soul And it melts all my footprints in the snow Now I know that nothing’s certain and all is fair in love and war It’s just that I think I’ve been here before. And All I’m asking is a question, and all I’m wanting is to hear Where do you think that we should go from here? With the snow so quickly melting, it’s harder to retrace my steps But walking on doesn’t mean that I like what’s next And what I really want to tell you, and maybe you already know, my Heart’s gonna break if you choose to go All I’m asking is a question, and all I’m wanting is to hear Where do you think that we should go from here? ‘Cause I don’t think the time is right to hide the things we hold inside And I hope you understand, I can only play the cards in my hand But all I ask you is a question, so all I get to hear Is where you think that we should go from here I wonder if I’d told you everything, could that have changed your mind? I just want you to know, oh nothing, never mind I guess I am looking for some answers, but all I really want’s a sign That you want to be mine
4.
THE SHAPES OF LONDON All the shapes of London form patterns in my mind Patterns made of mixed up shapes that I'd like to realign. The Globe is just a circle, and the Circle Line's a square And the Elephant and Castle, well I’ve looked But they’re not there They’re not really there. But I think kaleidoscopes are cool and I heard Britannia ruled long ago. Angels over Islington fly to the cross of Kings. And I’m Going south on the Northern Line but all the time I’m wondering why the Princes killed the barons and the queen has lost her Crown while the shepherds and the bakers they’ve all made their way to town Their way to town. But I think kaleidoscopes are cool and I heard Britannia ruled long ago Gates, greens and circuses form patterns in my mind Crescents, squares and corners wrapped in Bows of coloured twine and Cleopatra’s Needle threads a tapestry through time Made of all the shapes of London my kaleidoscope and I can realign
5.
Fall Slowly 04:20
FALL SLOWLY I think you’ve got the raw material And I’ve got a needle and thread I’ll sew a blanket with room for two To rest beneath with you We’ll fall slowly but surely, like sunsets in June Fall slowly but surely, like hot air balloons Like snow in the wintertime falls from above, We'll fall slowly but surely in love I think I’ve found, an architect’s plan And you’ve got the bricks and the beams Let’s dig a well, and wall by wall We’ll build the house of our dreams And fall slowly but surely like sunsets in June Fall slowly but surely, like bonfire plumes Like mist from the mountains falls from above, We'll fall slowly but surely in love We'll fall slowly but surely in love
6.
IT USED TO BE SO EASY I’m splashing through the puddles of my ordinary muddles I’m Trying to keep my hairdo from the rain. But I Had a late rehearsal and now this role reversal means that I’m the one who’s missed her cue again It used to be so easy to meet friends and make ends meet It used to be so easy when the world was at my feet But my day job is a nightmare, and I know it’s going nowhere and yet I’m refusing to admit defeat! I’m running for the bus again I’m hoping that the dress I’m in will Straighten out before I get to work. But I’m not getting rich and yeah I feel that life’s a bitch Cause fame and fortune aren’t on my list of perks It used to be so easy to meet friends and make ends meet It used to be so easy when the world was at my feet But my day job is a nightmare and I know it’s going nowhere, but I Know I’ve got to hang on ‘cause it’s all I’ve got to lean on so I’m refusing to admit, yeah I’m refusing to admit defeat! I’m nearly at my cubicle, I’m chewing on my cuticles In case my boss can see I’m sneaking in. But I Won’t attract attention if I settle for convention when All I want is cars and cash and gin It used to be so easy to meet friends and make ends meet and it used to be so easy when the world was at my feet But my day job is a nightmare and I know it’s going nowhere, but I Know I’ve got to hang on cause it’s all I’ve got to lean on, but I’m Bending over backwards and it feels a little awkward but I’ve Got to get back on my back on my feet and I’m refusing to admit defeat!
7.
YOU’LL KNOW THE WORDS The sun is sinking, and the light goes dim and I’ll be much closer soon to him to him to him So, I buy a bottle. A cheap one I confess And I hope that I can still recall my best friend’s address I’m hoping that this song will make a difference I’m hoping one day you’ll know the words by heart The party’s jumping and The music’s loud I wonder if you’ll notice me in this beautiful crowd Well we talk for hours Until you finally confess That someone else has caught your eye She lives at this address I’m hoping that this song will make a difference I hope that one day you’ll know the words by heart The party’s over and As I walk home I swear the moon shines brighter than I have ever known And though you’re not with me Somehow I feel complete And I thank the Lord that he allowed The two of us to meet And after all this song will make a difference I know in time it’s gonna heal my heart
8.
Fine Line 03:22
FINE LINE Look at the bright side of the Moon next time Look at the leaves and not the gaps between Cause I don’t think its clear to you that Life’s a choice, so chose to see it through And try waking up just before your alarm goes off and Drink from the full half of your glass for once Cause I don’t think you understand, that Life’s a choice so live it while you can But take a little time, take a little time, to find that fine line Try walking down the sunny side of the street, some time and Look at the view as you make the climb ‘Cause I don’t think you understand that Life’s a choice so choose it while you can But take a little time, take a little time, to find that fine line To find that fine line Don’t color in the dots of your polka dot dress Come up for air next time you plumb the depths, plumb the depths ‘Cause I don’t think it’s clear to you that Life’s a choice, so choose to see it through
9.
SPRING BREAK UP Well I thought that we’d go skiing in Colorado. Or that we’d Take an Amtrack train up to Maine. Or that we’d Hop on the Chinatown bus up to Boston. But I Guess your Spring break plans weren’t the same. And darling you are my Spring break up, yes, you’re my Spring break up and I’m So glad that Spring break is here. The Crocuses and daffodils will never know how much it kills me that Spring break broke my heart this year Well you said we should steps towards separation. That we should Take some time out of the relationship. Yeah, while Letting me down gently may seem kinder to you, honey. It only takes one Step to fall off a cliff. And darling you are My Spring break up, yes, you’re my Spring break up and I’m So glad that Spring break is here. The crocuses and daffodils will Never know how much it kills me that Spring break broke my heart this year So while kids are hunting for chocolate eggs and candy. We’re all Enjoying the first ball games of Spring. You know School is out and so is the Sun and I’m not going to let you steel my fun I’m going to Find me a new a new summer fling. ‘Cause darling you were my Spring break up, yes, you were my Spring break up and I’m So glad that Spring break was here, because School is out and so is the Sun and I’m not going to let you steel my fun, I’m going to find me a new, find me a new, Find me a new Summer fling
10.
BLUE AND GREEN Some think the world is black and white a simple Case of wrong and right but try to Find the line between Because it’s blue and green Go ask a spaceman near the stars to hold a Mirror from afar. The Earth looks Small and so serene Because it’s blue and green The books we read and the games we play The chalkboard plans we’ll soon erase They won’t last long, they won’t even last a day Aliens we’ve never seen except on Sci-fi movie screens they look like They live right here to me Because they’re blue and green The books we read and the games we play The chalkboard plans we’ll soon erase They won’t last long, they won’t even last a day They won’t last a day. They won’t last a day Though it ain’t easy being green, and Blue’s a word for a sad mood Together they form something true Because they’re green and blue Because they’re green and blue Because they’re green and blue Because they’re green and blue Because they’re green and blue Because they’re green and blue
11.
Night Sky 02:48
NIGHT SKY You are my night sky and you are my daylight You mean the world to me I know it’s been a long time but since things went wrong I Feel I’m all at sea And I sing la la la la La la la la La la la lala You’re my horizon. You are the ground I stand on I want you here with me But then we’ll know in time That was not so kind And I sing la la la la La la la la La la la lala la la la la La la la la La la la lala You are my night sky You are my night sky
12.
REMEMBER TO FORGET Remember to forget about me Remember to forget about me Please let right my wrongs, by writing them in sweet, sad songs that will Remind you to forget about me And I’ll remember to forget about you I’ll remember to forget about you My memory’s like a sieve, but I don’t think I’ll forgive myself if I Forget to forget about you. So throw away the photographs you keep And drag my emails to delete ‘Cause every day we’re fading, and I’m anticipating The day this song is obsolete So just remember to forget me and you Just remember to forget me and you well our Friends say it’s the end and I don’t think they’re going to let us forget to Remember, to remember, to remember, to remember To remember to forget me and you
13.
Long Time 03:46
13 LONG TIME It took a long time but the Sun is finally shining My silver lining is coming in to view It took a long time but my heart is finally healing the hurt is gone And so soon it will be made new And the stars shine bright and the Moon is high and my Spirit is light as dew It took a long time but my world is finally turning I guess I’m learning, a new point of view It took a long time but my burden is finally lifted, the weight is gone and I knew that I’d pull through And the stars shine bright and the Moon is high and my Spirit is light as dew And I don’t think much about the troubled times back in our past and I hope that you’ve found your peace And the stars shine bright and the Moon is high and your Spirit is light as dew Cause the stars shine bright and the Moon is high and my Spirit is light as dew But it took a long time It took a long time
14.
Drive 04:37
DRIVE Start driving in your car. Drive so far that you Forget where you are, or who you are Keep moving right ahead. Don’t you stop until you’re Clear in your heart, clear in your head Not waiting for someone to tell you where to go from here Not waiting for nothing other than your heart to make it clear. So Roll the windows down. Wind the seat back until You can’t see the ground Don’t stop until you’re there. Until then enjoy the Breeze on your face, and in your hair Not waiting for someone to tell you where to go from here Not waiting for nothing other than your heart to make it clear Step cruise control. Throw the map away and Follow your soul, follow your soul Drive until the sun goes down. Drive until there’s No one but you nothing but you around No one but you nothing but you around Nothing but you nothing but you around No one but you nothing but you around No one but you

about

Debut album by Cordelia Stephens whose voice combines power with vulnerability, and whose inventive songwriting explores the contradictions of modern life and love, with wistfulness and humor belying a darker turn of mind. Cordelia's influences range from acoustic artists such as Gillian Welch to female rock/blues singers such as Aimee Mann and Bonnie Raitt.

“The album’s title describes a step into a new musical era and arena” says artist Cordelia Stephens; “It also alludes to the themes of love and loss- to taking a leap into the unknown and to the delight of finding out what is on the other side.” 
 
The heart of the record is found in the upbeat jams evoking the sounds of the late 60s, complete with trumpet section, in songs such as You’ll Know the Words and It Used to Be So Easy.  It is an eclectic album encompassing all out rock songs such as I’ll Find a Way and Drive, with gentler British folk sounds heard in the nostalgic reflection that is The Shapes of London and in the romantic voice & cello duet Fall Slowly.  The lap steel in Fine Line and slow 6/8 grove of Remember to Forget introduce a country sound- crowned by the bar room hootenanny of Spring Break Up. 

Producer Riley McMahon’s skillful arrangements and electric guitar sounds and Cordelia’s distinctive voice and vision bring the album into the myriad focus of a kaleidoscope.

*********RECORD RELEASE PARTY is at The Living Room, NYC on January 11th, 2012 at 8pm **********

credits

released January 11, 2012

Produced by Riley McMahon

All songs written by Cordelia Stephens

Kevin Cordt- Trumpet

Gjilberta Lucaj-Gelaj- Cello

Tony Lauria- Piano (tracks 6 & 8) &
Accordion

Riley McMahon- Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar (tracks 2,3 & 12), Piano (tracks 4 & 7), Banjo, Organ, Mellotron, Wurlitzer, Lap Steel, Glockenspiel, Background Vocals, Percussion, Arrangements of Horns, Strings & Vocals

Pemberton Roach- Bass

Pete Sinjin- Background Vocal

Cordelia Stephens- Vocals, Acoustic Guitar & Flute

Tom Patrick Stephens- Voiceover

Dylan Wissing- Drums & Percussion

Jonathan Zalben- Violin

Photographs by Circe Baumgartner
Paintings by Cordelia Stephens
Layout by Jonathan Mason

Recorded and mixed by Riley McMahon at New Warsaw Studio www.newwarsawstudio.com

Mastered by Fred Kevorkian at Kevorkian Mastering
www.kevorkianmastering.com

All songs written by Cordelia Stephens
www.cordeliastephens.com

C. and P. CordeliaKS Music 2011
All rights reserved

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Cordelia Stephens New York, New York

Cordelia Stephens is an Anglo-American singer-songwriter whose voice combines power and vulnerability, and whose incisive songwriting explores the contradictions of modern life and love drawing on her musical influences such as Aimee Mann, Gillian Welch and Brandie Carlisle. Her third record, an EP called "The Protest Songs" was released in October 2023. ... more

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