LYRICS

All alone
He never thought that you'd find him here
He's afraid 
Of the thoughts he's had that you won't believe
All the while
He can't take his eyes away
Transitions that come fast
Apparitions that won't last

He was the man with no hands
The man with no hands

Don't go she said

No demand
For a man who's given his whole damn life
Understand,
Another meaning of sacrifice
And their child
She'll never feel his warm embrace
Transitions that come fast
Apparitions that won't last

CHORUS

Don't go she said

When the company took him on
Back in 1924
He had high hopes, a family, happiness
He knew, he couldn't have asked for more

But then the company let him go
When he was 32 years old
That's it, you're done, clean out your locker, son
It's time for you to go back home

They took away his means
His ability to provide
His hands they lie on the assembly line
He feels nothing past his wrists

CHORUS

Man With No Hands

This is a little tribute to the late James Horner who passed away June 22, 2015. One of my favourite melodies from one of my favourite childhood films, "If We Hold Together" was featured on the Land Before Time soundtrack. It resonated with me all the way to adulthood, both musically and lyrically (thanks to James' collaboration with Will Jennings), beautifully sung by Diana Ross. 

My version is based on the sound of a child's music box, slowly winding down...

"If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
As high as souls can fly
The clouds roll by
For you and I"

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"If We Hold On Together" by James Horner and Will Jennings (1988)

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Arranged, produced, recorded and mixed by Jean-Paul De Roover in Thunder Bay, ON.

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If We Hold On Together (music box) [James Horner/Diana Ross]

I've been holding on to this cover/medley for a while. In fact, it's been several years since I first did a version of it live and finally was able to get the recorded version to a point that I felt comfortable sharing.

Coleman Hell (originally from Thunder Bay) has been killing it internationally for the past few months, and will surely go farther than that. While you've heard his hit "2 Heads", did you ever hear one of his earlier albums, "Stark Raving"? It was great, and his song "Call Girl", produced in part by two older friends of mine Rob Benvegnu (La+tch) and Michah Dowbak (DJ Dstbstr) was my favourite cut off the album. After listening to it, I couldn't help but think that it would blend really well with the song "Cautioners" from the Jimmy Eat World album "Bleed American". Growing up listening to a lot of emo, rock, pop and other music, Jimmy Eat World was a huge inspiration and I still find myself listening to those albums today. 

So please, enjoy my version of two songs that I thought fit very well together; "Call Girl" and "Cautioners". Did you know I can rap? Me neither.

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Performed, recorded, produced and mixed by Jean-Paul De Roover
www.jeanpaulderoover.com

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Check out the original songs/artists here:

"Call Girl" by Coleman Hell
www.colemanhell.com

"Cautioners" by Jimmy Eat World
www.jimmyeatworld.com

Caution Girl (Coleman Hell & Jimmy Eat World)

CREDITS

Jean-Paul De Roover: Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Drums, Keys, Programming
Dennis Dumphy: Drums
Group vocals: Shannon Lepere, Alan Tocheri, Beth DeProphetis, and Josh Talakoski

All songs by Jean-Paul De Roover (SOCAN)
Recorded, produced and mixed by Jean-Paul De Roover at Blueprints.
Mastered by Jon Tornblom at Transparent Mastering.

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LYRICS

Run around the garden
Without any shoes
You stood upon a barrel when
It broke and you fell through

Anytime you wander
I know you’ll be home soon, and I love…

I’m thankful that you’re safer now
But your confidence is bruised
2 stitches, scars and limbs intact
But without a toe removed

If you like the seaside
I’ll paint your bedroom blue, cause I love…

I know you’re smoking cigarettes
I can smell them on your clothes
I’ll patiently be waiting here
Watching as the years go

And if you see the lightning
Then I’ll hold you til it’s through, cause I love…

If you like the seaside
I’ll paint your bedroom blue
Because I know you love me too
Just as much as I love you

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www.jeanpaulderoover.com

This project is funded in part by FACTOR, the Government of Canada and Canada’s private radio broadcasters. 
Ce projet est financé en partie par FACTOR, le gouvernement du Canada et les radiodiffuseurs privés du Canada. 

Blue

CREDITS

Jean-Paul De Roover: Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Percussion, Keys, Programming

All songs by Jean-Paul De Roover (SOCAN)
Recorded, produced and mixed by Jean-Paul De Roover at Blueprints.
Mastered by Jon Tornblom at Transparent Mastering.

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LYRICS

An ode to this city
I thought I'd never leave
God I've been busy
But I'll save you the speech
	I've left and come back
	But I'm leaving once again
	Goodbye sweet town of mine

You gave me a home
When a house was all I knew
Now the time has come
So I'll say goodbye to you
	I won't be back
	I'm leaving now for good
	Goodbye sweet town of mine

Hold my tongue
When there’s nothing nice to say
Hold my tongue
I’ll be leaving either way
Hold my tongue
When there’s nothing left to do

Hold my tongue
When there’s nothing nice to say
Hold my tongue
I’ll be leaving either way
Hold my tongue
When there’s nothing left to prove

Hello city
It's nice to see you well
The people are busy
You've got no time for me
	I guess I'll find
	A town to call my own
	Goodbye sweet town of mine

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www.jeanpaulderoover.com

This project is funded in part by FACTOR, the Government of Canada and Canada’s private radio broadcasters. 
Ce projet est financé en partie par FACTOR, le gouvernement du Canada et les radiodiffuseurs privés du Canada.

An Ode To This City

A few years before I was born, on June 4th, 1981, Vangelis became a household name after the premiere of the film Chariots of Fire. The main titles have been used in everything from parodies to the Olympics, and I’m sure you’d recognize them to hear them. That's why I wanted to release this song now, almost 35 years later, to the day.

When I was in grade 5, my family bought our very first CD player. A year or two later, my dad gifted me an album that I never thought I would love (I was obsessed with Queen and Green Day after all). That album was Vangelis’ greatest hits. I was fascinated with the sounds that this Greek composer was able to create! Years later, I would find a true interest in instrumental music, working on film scores as well. 

While this song directly references the melody of the main titles, the rest of the composition and arrangement is my own. For that reason, it's sort of  an original, a cover, and a mashup all at the same time. A little thank you to the composer that influenced me directly and indirectly since the 90's. 

I chose the name Chariots of Violence because of the direct reference to the original theme music, but also because my original material stemmed from musical experiments in January of 2015 where I was creating really violent percussion sounds. You'll hear that in particular towards the end of the piece. 

Fun fact: the main melody is performed by several instances of synthesizers as well as guitars running through synth effects. 

Chariots of Violence

Live-looped performance by Jean-Paul De Roover that features melodies and themes from several films/shows, written by their respective composers (see below).

This is a board recording from a live performance at the Black Pirates Pub in Thunder Bay, ON on December 16th, 2015 as part of the ongoing instrumental music series "There Are No Words." 

The X-Files - Mark Snow
Star Wars - John Williams
007 - Monty Norman

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www.jeanpaulderoover.com

Love

JPDR06

I'd Do Anything

CREDITS
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Jean-Paul De Roover: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Autoharp, Seaboard, Synths,  Percussion, and Additional Programming.
Dennis Dumphy: Drums.
Raine Hamilton: Violin.

Produced by Jean-Paul De Roover

Recorded and Mixed by Jean-Paul De Roover at Blueprints in Thunder Bay, ON, Canada.
Principal Acoustic guitars engineered by Chris Dorota at Redwood Church in Thunder Bay, ON, Canada. 

Mastered by Jon Törnblom at Transparent Mastering in Hamilton, ON, Canada.

Funded in part by the Ontario Arts Council.

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LYRICS
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Nothing could have prepared me for this moment
But I’m glad nothing did
We’ve had incredible adventures so far
With a lot more to come

A friend sang, “it all means nothing when you’re not here.”
And it’s true, I wouldn’t be who I am today
If it wasn’t for you

From the first time I said it
Until the last chance I get
I will love you
With my heart and my head

From the first time I said it
Until the last chance I get
I will love you
With my heart and my head

Laughter, love and commitment
What else could we need
A lifetime of smiling for us
before we go to sleep

They say that no one is perfect
But to me, you are
And I know from now, ‘til my dying day
I want to be yours

From the first time I said it
Until the last chance I get
I will love you
With my heart and my head

From the first time I said it
Until the last chance I get
I will love you
With my heart and my head

*Instrumental Break*

From the first time I said it
Until the last chance I get
I will love you
With my heart and my head

From the first time I said it
Until the last chance I get
I will love you
With my heart and my head

My Heart And My Head

CREDITS
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Jean-Paul De Roover: Vocals, Electric Guitars, Bass, Drum Programming, Samples, Seaboard.
Dennis Dumphy: Drums, Percussion

Produced by Jean-Paul De Roover

Recorded and Mixed by Jean-Paul De Roover at Blueprints in Thunder Bay, ON, Canada.

Mastered by Jon Törnblom at Transparent Mastering in Hamilton, ON, Canada.

Funded in part by the Ontario Arts Council.

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LYRICS
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Tepid Trepidation

When clouds scale the sky
And horizons fade to grey
The faint spectrum at the edge of the world

Red lit spires of our humanity 
Reaching out across the land and sea
All these hopes and prayers for a sign
Now I fear that I have wasted mine

Tepid Trepidation
Passive Participation

Where there’s a will
There is a way

Keep your eyes to the ground
And feel insignificant  
They say don't look down but they've got it all wrong

Thought I was a skeptic
Now I’m questioning it all
Will I be corrected?
Or just follow protocol

Do you believe?
In your own design?

Tepid Trepidation
Passive Participation
Contentious Calculation
Neglected Negotiation

Do you believe?
In a responsibility?
Where there’s a will
There is a way

Do you believe?
Where there’s a will
There is a way

Cast a friend down into the abyss
Give a rival a forsaken kiss

Loss

JPDR07

Tepid Trepidation

CREDITS
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Jean-Paul De Roover: Vocals, Acoustic Guitars, Electric Guitars, Bass, Drum Programming, Orchestral Arrangements, Samples, Seaboard.
Dennis Dumphy: Drums, Percussion
Adam Iredale-Gray: Violin

Produced by Jean-Paul De Roover

Recorded and Mixed by Jean-Paul De Roover at Blueprints in Thunder Bay, ON, Canada.

Mastered by Jon Törnblom at Transparent Mastering in Hamilton, ON, Canada.

Funded in part by the Ontario Arts Council.

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LYRICS
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Militant, marching on
Give up sleep, no break ‘til dawn
Cavalier ‘til coffee time
Indifferent ears on a friend of mine
Fall asleep to the FM waves
Fluorescent lights and a razor blade
These opened eyes have become a cage
So set me free

I am cursing daylight taken away from me, oh
I am cursing daylight could you please let me be 
Oh, let me be

And let me sleep

Cursing Daylight

2019's Christmas song came together a little differently than most. I chose Wham!'s "Last Christmas" and started whipping up demos then realized I needed to bring in a singer with a great falsetto. I called up my old friend Colin Kutchyera, who has been making waves the past two years with his new pop persona "Kutch," and he came down to the studio the next night and tracked all his vocals beautifully. We're both fathers with young sons so we spent a few days sending notes back and forth in the middle of the night as we finalized the mix. Here is our fun take on a newer Christmas classic.

We hope you enjoy it, and Happy Holidays from Colin and I!

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CREDITS
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Originally written by George Michael, popularized by Wham!

Produced by Jean-Paul De Roover 
Arranged by Jean-Paul De Roover 
Recorded and Mixed by Jean-Paul De Roover at Blueprints
Mastered by Jon Tornblom at Transparent Mastering

Colin Kutchyera (aka Kutch): Vocals. 
Jean-Paul De Roover: Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Drums and Percussion, Synths, Programming.

Songs for the Holidays

Last Christmas (feat. Kutch)

There's no doubt that 2020 is a very different year for everyone. But for that very reason I didn't want to let a pandemic get in the way of the annual Christmas song. I thought it was quite fitting to choose Christmas Star, originally from the Home Alone 2 score (get it - we're all home alone), but knew that getting guests into the studio would be a challenge. Instead, I reached out to the Sounds of Superior Chorus, who mobilized many of their members within days and soon the cellphone/iPad/laptop recordings of their individual parts started coming in. We knew this was the safest way to do the project. From the beginning I knew I wanted a women's choir, but for fun I invited Rod and Larry from the Gentlemen of Harmony to join in, as well as my sister Megan, who is a former member of the Sounds of Superior. We were also joined by trombonist Darlene Chepil-Reid.

We hope you enjoy our reimagining of "Christmas Star", and have a safe and happy holiday season, from your friends at the Sounds of Superior Chorus and I!

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CREDITS
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Originally written by John Williams with lyrics by Leslie Bricusse.

Produced by Jean-Paul De Roover Arranged by Jean-Paul De Roover Recorded and Mixed by Jean-Paul De Roover at Blueprints
Mastered by Jon Tornblom at Transparent Mastering

SOUNDS OF SUPERIOR CHORUS: Heather Bolduc Linda Bruneau Lana Bullough Pat Cupp Heather Hack Petersen Rowena Husch Juliet Johnson Sharron Kershaw Kathleen Milks Linda Mitchell Carol Morgan Pat Towell

Additional choral vocals from Megan De Roover, Rod Johnson (Gentlemen of Harmony), Larry Kamo (Gentlemen of Harmony) and Jean-Paul De Roover.

Darlene Chepil-Reid: Trombone.
Jean-Paul De Roover: Vocals, Harp, Piano, Music Box, Electric Guitar, Synths, Drums and Percussion, String/Horn Arrangements & Additional Programming.

What A Wonderful World

The song was inspired by a story I read about a doctor living in the US that kept several letters on his person at the beginning of the COVID pandemic's arrival in the States. Each one was addressed to his wife and children, basically saying goodbye because he knew that he was at a very high risk of contracting the virus because of his work, and with quarantining measures being very strict he may not have gotten the chance to say farewell. The idea that this frontline health care worker was aware of the repercussions of his job but still did it, was something that I found both depressing and fascinating. Appreciate your frontline workers as often as you can. 

CREDITS

Produced by Jean-Paul De Roover
Recorded/Mixed by Jean-Paul De Roover at Blueprints
Mastered by Jon Tornblom at Transparent Mastering

Jean-Paul De Roover: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass, Percussion, Seaboard
Tim Walters: Accordion

LYRICS

I wrote this letter for you
And the kids to help them get through
These long roads and late nights ahead
Wishing I could stay home instead

It’s hard to know what I should write 
In case I slip away in the night
I’ll sign it as Bradley not Brad,
But to them I’ll be Daddy not Dad. 

Every day, yes I will
Hold you and kiss you and tell you that we’ll be just fine
Every night, I’ll have to 
Call and apologize and tell you guys that I’m still OK

I wrote this letter for you
To tell you all that I feel confused
I’m wrestling with feelings detached 
Like a state champ that finally met his match

So I’ll grab my coat and head out
To the hospital a few miles south
By working I’m saving some strangers
But putting my family in danger 

Every day, yes I will
Hold you and kiss you and tell you that we’ll be just fine
Every night, I’ll have to 
Call and apologize again

I rush past the TV’s with subtitles on
Past people on gurneys waiting to find out what’s wrong 
Fred just rolled out, he won’t be making it ’til morning 
But I’ve got no time for these to tears to start pouring  
And all I think about this whole shift 
Is I can’t touch my mouth but it’s still craving your lips

I’m married to the job yes it’s true
When I should’ve been married to you
I’ll be a hero to them
With the rest in memoriam

Or will I be known to my boys
As a man who made the wrong choice

This Letter

This is a cover song originally by Oren Lavie. I fell in love with its darkness and would play it on repeat for months. Once I started preparing to tour the LOSS album in 2020 I knew I wanted to do a version of it with a live band. Because of the tour being cut short due to COVID we then had some time to develop this full-band version whose lyrics are even more haunting given the state of the world.


CREDITS

Produced by Jean-Paul De Roover
Recorded/Mixed by Jean-Paul De Roover at Blueprints
Mastered by Jon Tornblom at Transparent Mastering

Originally written by Oren Lavie

Jean-Paul De Roover - Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Synths
Jared Schaaf - Electric Guitar, Noise
Mack Davis - Bass
Scott Edwards - Drums


LYRICS

The feeling of falling is still so familiar
The pain in my stomach is better, but baby
Bright colours have faded too early this year
And strangers look stranger 'round here

The flowers you’ve left here have died in the heat
I see parts of your face now on girls in the street
I hope you like your new neighbours, don’t sleep with every new stranger
It’s lonely, but only at night

But most of the time
I'm breathing fine
Most of the time
I'm breathing fine
I smile at familiar faces
I talk to myself in empty spaces
But breathing is fine
Most of the time

It’s half of me baby that still is infected
No water has cleansed it, no sleep has erased it
Towards and aways-from, this room is a cage
And things I’m trying to write you, they die on the page

But most of the time 
I’m breathing fine
Most of the time 
I’m breathing fine
I’ve played through the great composers
I got through the nights
On wine and prose, and
Breathing is fine
Most of the time

What else can I tell you?
I just turned thirty-one
The boy grew no wings 
So he’s learned how to run
I hope you keep out of danger
Now, stranger to stranger
It’s lonely, but only at night

And most of the time
I’m breathing fine
Most of the time 
I’m breathing fine

Breathing is fine
Most of the time

Prisoners

Breathing Fine

This song began as a collaboration between Dennis Dumphy and I, aimed around writing something truly ridiculous. After many years of having the riff lying around we finally made use of isolation and finished it. Because of our new collective lifestyle change and the fact that we have to stay indoors, I found that we've all been relying on social media much more heavily which is what inspired the lyrics - the fact that we are all prisoners whose very digital being is an asset. 


CREDITS

Produced by Jean-Paul De Roover
Recorded/Mixed by Jean-Paul De Roover at Blueprints
Mastered by Jon Tornblom at Transparent Mastering

All words by Jean-Paul De Roover
Music by Jean-Paul De Roover & Dennis Dumphy

Jean-Paul De Roover - Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Synths, Trumpet
Dennis Dumphy - Drums


LYRICS

You are just digital dots 
Counting seconds in tocks 
In an idiot box    
 
I know what’s making you tick
And what you’re gonna click
You might think it’s a trick

Nothing you can do will stop us

Staring at an open flame
It all looks the same
Disconnection causes pain
So I’ll stay awake

You are just Digital dots 
With unoriginal thoughts 
Hardly sentient bots

You are just digital bits
Soon you’ll have to submit
Now we’re after your kids

Nothing you can do will stop us

Staring at an open flame
It all looks the same
I can’t turn away
Disconnection causes pain
So I’ll stay awake
To watch the sick parade

I’m left in a room alone
To my own devices
I’m trapped in a tomb alone
With my own devices

The same worms will eat you too
Tear your flesh from bone
The same worms will eat you too
Tear your flesh from bone

Prisoners 
Of a past and present
Men of always 
And the children of never

You’ve been bought and traded for silver

You are just digital dots 
Unoriginal thoughts  
Hypocritical sentient bots

Nothing you can do will stop us

Digital

Produced by Jean-Paul De Roover
Recorded/Mixed/Mastered by Jean-Paul De Roover at Blueprints

All music written and performed by Jean-Paul De Roover including:
Piano
Electric Piano
Trumpet
Drums
Field Recordings

Lone

Bridge

Produced by Jean-Paul De Roover
Recorded/Mixed/Mastered by Jean-Paul De Roover at Blueprints

All music written and performed by Jean-Paul De Roover including:
Piano
Electric Piano
Harp
String Arrangements
Choral Arrangement
Drums
Seaboard
Synths
Waterphone

Night

Produced by Jean-Paul De Roover
Recorded/Mixed/Mastered by Jean-Paul De Roover at Blueprints

All music written and performed by Jean-Paul De Roover including:
Piano
String arrangements
Drums
Seaboard
Synths

Forest

Produced by Jean-Paul De Roover
Recorded/Mixed/Mastered by Jean-Paul De Roover at Blueprints

All music written and performed by Jean-Paul De Roover, including:
Piano
Electric Piano
String arrangements
Trumpet
Bass
Drums
Seaboard
Synths
Field Recordings

Much more than just a one man band, this 'sonic architect' builds songs through live looping, combining rock, folk, electronica and a capella into his own well constructed hook-filled post-pop.

Jean-Paul De Roover

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