Praise Song (live acoustic performance)

"Welcome To San Francisco" tells the story of the beginning of a love affair, set against the backdrop of San Francisco. It's a reminder of how romantic the city can be: the music, the lights, the walks on the hills. San Francisco is a place where people fall in love: with each other, with ideas, with the possibilities for the future.

At a time when so much of the news about the city focuses on COVID, the constant boom-and-bust cycles of tech, and its class inequities—all genuine problems—it can be hard to remember what drew artists and musicians here. We're here because we love the culture, the unique geography, the amazing food, the openness to new ideas, and the compelling stories of the people who live here. 

"Welcome  To San Francisco" is the fourth single off of David Johnson's 2nd album, REWIND, and is available on all major streaming services. REWIND will be released on July 11, 2023. For more information on the album: gospelcats.com/rewind.

Welcome To San Francisco

[v1]
You came along
At the worst time for me 
Saw all the things
I want no one to see 
Down on my knees is 
The worst side of me
[v2]
Me on the ground
You riding by
Saw me in need
Knelt by my side 
Reached out your hand 
And lifted me high
[ch]
I was down in the street, you were there 
I was stripped to my skin, you were there 
When I sank in the sea, you were there 
When I cried out in need, you were there
[v3]
You came along
At the worst time for me 
Found marks of hope 
That no one could see 
Up on my feet
Is a new side of me
[ch]
I had torched my last bridge. Now I'm changed. 
I was cracked and unclean. Now I'm changed.
I was angry and mean. Now I'm changed.
I was so sick of me. Now I'm changed.
[bridge]
Oh, I was a young man raging
Oh, I was spiked and stoned
The war against the world I was waging 
All alone
[v4]
Had used me up 
Drained and dried
You offered me water 
Set me aright
I can't offer much
But a hand at your side
[ch]
If it's comfort you need, I'll be there
When you're hungry and weak, I'll be there 
When you cry for release, I'll be there
'Til you're so sick of me, I'll be there
When you call out for me 
Can't you see I'll be there? 
Look for me, I'll be there 
When you wander the streets 
And you drop to your knees
And you crawl in the night
I'll be there

I was
Down on my knees
Cracked and unclean
Sick of myself
Angry and mean
You came along at the best time for me

New Side Of Me (acoustic demo)

"16 Rivers" is an apocalyptic vision of a flood unleashed on a town. Musically, it started as a Delta blues song, but I took the production to a different place.

16 Rivers (demo; v01)

[v1]
The news broke, like a bullet
Was fired across the bow
Never felt as scared as I'm feeling now
The sky is dimmed. Can you see it?
There's a gathering of clouds
And the thoughts I share no longer may be allowed

[ch 1]
But I'm finding a family 
Of people like me now
I see my face in the poor, the scared, the tired
And we're raising our voices
The air explodes with sound
Tonight's the night we light the Christmas fire

[v2]
When we gather round the fire
And we cast aside our fears
And the world we thought was lost seems close at hand
And there's trust. Can you feel it?
You can share your story here
When everyone you talk to understands

[ch 2]
All my senses are warming 
Wine and breath and bread
Never felt as loved as I'm feeling now
And we're raising our voices
The air is free from dread
Tonight's the night we light the Christmas fire

[br]
Christmas time, when we light the fire

[ch 3]
And we're making a home again 
Where no one's disallowed
Never felt as safe as I'm feeling now
And we're raising our voices
The air explodes with sound
Tonight's the night we light the Christmas fire

The Christmas Fire (demo; v07)

"Stop Sign" is a tribute to the ska scene in the Eighties-- bands like The Specials, The (English) Beat, and Madness. 