Ok, so it's been up here for a while, but it's now officially out on in the world on Spotify, Apple Music etc!

‘Judy’ is an indie pop song that tells a rather mundane day in the life of Judy as she navigates the morning commute, a nondescript job, TV and dinner in her bedroom before lights out. Judy's never had big aspirations because "if you don't have dreams to start with, they can't get broken". Friends from her youth have all had families and drifted away. 

And yet, there is a note of defiance too. What if, asks Judy, this is actually how I want to live? What if I'm happy in the reliable, predictable life I've created? Who says I have to find someone to love me? That's why, as the song closes, she turns the lights out and "won't be sorry".

Judy is, first and foremost, a character sketch, but also—in some sub-conscious way at least—autobiographical. I'm definitely one of life's 'Judys'—risk-averse, a little scared of rejection, but also kind of fine about the way life has shaken out.

Musically, the song is built around an acoustic guitar riff in an open G tuning. The piano, which gently echoes the vocal melody, provides a second layer, and then various delicate guitar lines are added as the song progresses. The more distorted guitars that erupt in the bridge act as a release, alongside the defiant lyrics about Judy not having to be like "you get told to be like".

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4WnwbUC9pkhF5oJo2s5IcV
Bandcamp: https://davidtaro.bandcamp.com/album/judy
Youtube: https://youtu.be/BllYMQOmOS4

As a little added present, I've added a couple of other tracks which I've polished up for the occasion: Any Time You Like is a heartfelt lullaby for my son, and Used To Know is a song all about regret.

Thanks guys!
DT

Judy

Any Time You Like is an acoustic lullaby written mainly for my younger son. One of those 'I'll be there for you' kind of songs, which he can use against me when I forget his birthday one day in the future.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4WnwbUC9pkhF5oJo2s5IcV
Bandcamp: https://davidtaro.bandcamp.com/album/judy

LYRICS: 

If you need me, you can call my name
Any time you like
In thunder, lightning or a hurricane
Any time you like

When monsters gather, I'll be there
Any time you like
I'll fight those shadows for you anywhere
Any time you like

Cos everybody needs a friend
When no one else is near
You can believe me
If you need me
I'll appear

When you're lonely, you can count on me
Any time you like
When all you need's a little company
Any time you like

Cos everybody needs a friend
When no one else is near
You can believe me
If you need me
I'll appear

The day is over, the night draws near
Its time to say goodnight
But don’t you worry, baby, I’ll be here
Any time you like

Any Time You Like

Used To Know is an indie rock song about getting old and having regrets. I was really drawn to the idea that, when we get toward the end of our lives, and we're supposed to have the benefit of a lifetime of experience, what if we suddenly feel like we know... nothing.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4WnwbUC9pkhF5oJo2s5IcV
Bandcamp: https://davidtaro.bandcamp.com/album/judy

LYRICS

Frost on the window, mail by the door
Days getting shorter, you ain't young no more
Bones keep fighting over who aches most
Shuffle down the hallway like a living ghost

And I used to know, oh I used to know
Oh I used to know where I was going

Try and remember before I forget
Things I'm proud of, things I regret
People I've cherished, people I've lost
People I've wounded or double-crossed

And I used to know, oh I used to know
Oh I used to know where I was going

Where have all the good years gone?
In my mind's eye I'm still so young
They never tell you how the story ends
I guess it all kind of depends

I wrote you a letter, I know you're gone
Tried to say sorry for all the things I've done
Folded it over, threw it in the fire
Perhaps I'll see you anyway, in a little while

And I used to know, oh I used to know
Oh I used to know where I was going

But I don't know any more, oh no

Used To Know

Here's my latest single 'Judy', an indie pop song about life, dreams & spreadsheets. All the important stuff, basically.

Check it out on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4WnwbUC9pkhF5oJo2s5IcV
Bandcamp: https://davidtaro.bandcamp.com/album/judy
Youtube: https://youtu.be/BllYMQOmOS4

[UPDATE] Reviews are coming in for Judy!

“From start to finish this song packs a beautiful punch and encourages the listener to ultimately get out there and live their life to the fullest.” - Gifted Balance Records, The Study Lounge Blog
https://www.giftedbalancerecords.com/thestudylounge/davidtarojudy

“A beautiful and pretty sounding song with a stinger ending and a great, radio friendly length, Judy has all the elements needed for a huge hit that already sounds absolutely timeless. One of our favourites in a long time.” - Send Me Your Ears
https://sendmeyourears.com/david-taro-judy/

“Representing the London music scene, David Taro is a singer, songwriter, and multi-talented performer who’s put his signature essence on his latest, ’Judy’. Keeping things genuine in the song’s prowess to tell a compelling story through imagery-filled lyricism, there’s definitely an optimism that comes through by the final notes.” - We Write About Music
https://www.wewriteaboutmusic.com/reviews/david-taro-judy


Thank you for listening

LYRICS:

Judy wakes up
Sips from a cup of coffee
Runs for the bus
Same way she has forever
And if you don’t get too excited
Well, you won’t be sorry

Judy is bored
Largely ignored by colleagues
Chews on a pen
Turns back again to the spreadsheet
And if you don’t have dreams to start with
Well, they can’t get broken
And ah, they can’t get broken

Judy has friends
Katie and Ben and Emily
Known them for years
Drank cheap wine and beer in their company
But she don’t see much of them these days
They’ve all got families
And ah, they’ve all got families

Judy, if wanna live the way you wanna
Who am I to judge you
You don’t have to be like you get told to be like
Don’t need someone to love you

Judy comes home
Has dinner alone in her bedroom
Washes her plate
Stays up til late with the TV
And when she turns the lights off
Well, she won't be sorry
Ah, she won't be sorry
Ah, she won't be sorry

Half-British, half-Japanese, South London-based singer-songwriter and producer. Indie pop, rock and blues. Thank you for listening!

Judy

david taro