I Don't Need You

I tell you darling
I tell you true
I don’t need another lover
And I don’t need you

I tell you sweetheart
Just walk away
If you don’t leave now 
there will be hell to pay

‘cuz I don’t know what I might 
Do or say

We had our moment
It’s come and gone
And I don’t know
How things could go so wrong

We had our moment
It came and went
And you stuck around
Til’ all the money was spent

Kicked me out of our home 
After I paid the rent 

I tell you darling
I tell you true
I don’t need another lover
And i don’t need you
Don’t need nobody breakin’
My heart in two

oooooh   ohh ohhh
oooooh  ooh oohhh

I’m not one to hide my heart away
But I‘ve never ever been treated this way
You say I won’t let you close to me, well
You taught me a thing about Boundaries 

We had our moment
It’s in the past
Some things 
were never meant to last

You pushed my limits
I don’t blame you 
We all do the best 
that we can do

And to ourselves 
we must be true

oooooh   ohh ohhh
oooooh  ooh oohhh

I always wanted love a love that was true
For a little while I thought that was you
You say I won’t let you close to me, well
You taught me a thing 
 about Boundaries 

I tell you darling
I tell you true
I don’t need another lover
And i don’t need you
Don’t need nobody breakin’
My heart in two

Completed Independence Day 7/4/2022
Original title I Don't Need You
Renamed Boundaries (I Don't Need You) on 7/13/24

Boundaries (I Don't Need You)

My Girlfriend's Boyfriend's Truck

When I been out raising hell at the bar
And it's time to get home and I remember my car
While I ain't the kind to drink and drive
So I call up my girlfriend and ask  for a ride 
She says "hey honey, I just went to bed
How bout I send my boyfriend instead?"

Riding shotgun in  my girlfriend's boyfriend's truck 
How can just one man have 
so much luck?
Some people think that love 
Is only meant for two
when you expand that number
you'd be surprised what you can do
riding shotgun in my girlfriend's boyfriend's truck

Well I can't say that we're all that close
But he's always there when I need him the most
We love the same woman with of all our hearts
And if that's not family, well you know it's a start
You might be wondering 'bout jealousy
but here's plenty of love for everybody

Riding shotgun in  my girlfriend's boyfriend's truck 
How can just one man have 
so much luck?
Some people think that love 
Is only meant for two
when you expand that number
you'd be surprised what you can do
riding shotgun in my girlfriend's boyfriend's truck

When your heart loves deep
but also needs to be free
Well a whole lot of folks 
Are choosing  polyamory

Well late one night I'm with my girlfriend
I get a call and I see it's her man
He says he's broken down and he needed a ride
Caught  him smiling  as my my Prius pulled up to his side

Riding shotgun in  my girlfriend's boyfriend's truck 
How can just one man have 
so much luck?
Some people think that love 
Is only meant for two
when you expand that number
you'd be surprised what you can do

riding shotgun in my girlfriend's boyfriend's truck
shotgun in my girlfriend's boyfriend's truck
shotgun in my girlfriend's boyfriend's truck 

1/16/23

My Girlfriend's Boyfriend's Truck

Song for Thay remastered in 2023 by SoundLab

Original recording by Jason Tate -  othefool 2018

Song For Thay (2023)

Mother
Wish I could see you again
Sometimes it seems my only friend
Is my pain

Lately
It seems so far away
The dreams I held today
I held in vain

My life
Well it’s been a winding road
Always did what I was told
Like you taught me

But now
Everything is burning down
Everywhere I look around
Flames surround me

And there doesn’t seem to be a reason for it all
Every plan I made fate just re-arranged
Seems like there is nothing to save me from the fall
Oh mother you told me I should never change
I should never change

The flre
You know it burns so very bright
Like sunshine in the night
And I can see

My life
All those detours in my path
They all made me the man
I’ve come to be

Sometimes
When I have felt lost and alone
I remember all the songs
You used to sing

You know
If I could do it all again
I wouldn’t want to
change a single thing

And there doesn’t have to be a reason for it all
Every plan I made fate just re-arranged
I wish that you could see your son standing so tall
Oh mother you know life is meant to change
Life is meant to change

It seems
Like a warm and sunny dawn
I turn my eyes upward
And face the day

Mother
Thanks for believing in me
And now I am set free
I fly away

1DSC Topic: "Change" 1/6/2018
Title: The Phoenix
vocals and drums re-recorded 4/23/23

Phoenix cross stitch by Dawn Esser

The Phoenix

Mama Say 

Hey now mama say 
I say you’re miles away 
I wake from sleeping
I’m still dreaming of you

Hey now mama come 
it seems we’ve just begun
But I can’t imagine
My world without you

When I miss your kiss  
Holding your mother hips
I miss the magic
That I feel in your smile

It seems so far away 
It’s just another day
And I’ll be with you 
It’s just gonna take a while

Don’t you know it’s gonna be a long time 
Wish it didn’t have to be so long

Hey now mama say
You say I'm far away
And can I share what’s
going on in my heart

Sometimes it seems so real
These things i feel
And you know it’s felt 
That way right from the start

And so I make a joke
Or maybe go for a smoke
These things I do so I  
Feel safe around you

Just know your not to blame
Don’t want to show you my pain
But I was like this
Long before I met you

Don’t you know it’s gonna be a long time
I wish it didn’t have to be so long

Bridge

So used to facing this world on my own
So used to life adrift without a home
And you know that I wish that I could open my heart to you
But then when I try feels like part of me breaks in two

Hey now mama say
You love me anyway
Even knowing all that
I struggle to say

Hey now mama true
I don’t know what to do
No one’s ever really 
loved me that way

Sometimes it seems to real
These things I feel
And you know it’s felt that way 
right from the start

It seems so far away 
It’s just another day
And I‘ll be with you 
And I’ll show you my heart

Don’t you know it’s gonna be a long time 
Wish it didn’t have to be so long
Don’t you know it’s gonna be a long time 
Hold on sweet lover hold on

(Written between ~1995 and April 2024)



Image: Hug Life by Dhaval Shreyas cc 2010

Mama Say

Salt shaker know I really want to shake it with you

July 6 2024

Photo of salt shaker cc Lenore Edman

Salt Shaker

Comic Sans

My baby wrote me a letter
I’m finding hard to understand
They told me that they’re leaving
But wrote it in comic sans
Yea they told me that they’re leaving me 
Written in comic sans

When Moses came down from the mountain
WIth a list of God’s commands
He threw down marble tablets
Chiseled in Comic Sans
Yea all of God’s commandments
Chiseled in Comic Sans

Yea there’s so many ways to be, my friend
Choose anything you want
But you might want to think twice, my friend
Before you choose your font

The terrorists took the building
And gave a list of their demands
The negotiator started to worry
It was written in Comic Sans
Death to imperialism
written in Comic Sans

The president felt the power
The arsenal was at their command
And then a declaration of war
Written in comic sans
Oh yea a declaration of war
Written in comic sans


Helvetica is always in style
With Arial you’re doing just fine
Gotta Garamond if you need a serif
And  Georgia’s always on my 
My my my my my my my my mind



The judge slammed down the gavel
Said “it’s the chair for you, my man!”
And they signed my death warrant
Signed it in comic sans
Yes they signed my death warrant
Signed it in comic sans

So many occasions make no sense
But one I understand
My divorce papers arrived today
Printed in comic sans
Yea my divorce papers arrived today
Printed in comic sans

Yea there’s so many ways to be, my friend
Choose anything you want
But you might want to think twice, my friend
Before you choose your font

Yea there’s so many ways to be, my friend
Choose anything you want
But you might want to think twice, my friend
Before you choose your font

Comic Sans

Done Did it

Sometimes this life Makes no sense
Don’t like your lover Can’t pay your rent
Sometimes it seems You got it in your hand
And then it falls through Like a grain of sand

Why’d you done do it? 
I just done did it
How’d you lead me to it? 
I just couldn’t quit it
Why’d you done do it? 
I just done did it
I just done did it that’s why

Well it seems like it was just yesterday
You came along and stole my heart away
You came to me from out of the blue
And there was nothing I could do

And for a little while, it felt so right
You and me we light up the night
Until one day you stopped coming home
And left your poor man all alone

Why’d you done do it? 
I just done did it
How’d you lead me to it? 
I just couldn’t quit it
Why’d you done do it? 
I just done did it
I just done did it that’s all

Hey there mister buddy man
There’s some things you gotta understand
I heard every word that you had to say
But things didn’t really go down that way

You’re out every night playing sweet
For all the fine ladies comin’ in off the street 
At first you promised me the world
But you wouldn’t even promise me that I was your girl

Well I don’t see no diamond ring 
And you ain’t the only man who sings
I knew what we had was growing cold
When that song that you sang me started sounding so old

Why’d you done do it? 
I just done did it
How’d you lead me to it? 
You just couldn’t quit it
Why’d you done do it? 
I just done did it
I just done did it that’s why

Well life’s a riddle Life’s a game
It makes no sense at all to complain
Some people have things their own way
While others wait around for another day

Why’d you done do it? 
I just done did it
How’d you lead me to it? 
You just couldn’t quit it
Why’d you done do it? 
I just done did it
I just done did it that’s all

You know I don’t blame you at all


Written sometime 2003ish? 
Finished demo recording July 4, 2025

Featuring Dawn Esser on Vocals

Done Did It

If Republicans found Jesus


What if Republicans found Jesus
I mean what if it was true? 
They opened up their bibles
And it told them what to do
They’d have to stop their lying
Their greed and all their hate
So grab yourself a bible
Let them words slap you in the face
Yea open up your bible
Let them words slap you in the face


Blessed are the peacemakers
And blessed are the meek
And if someone should smite you
You should turn the other cheek

Love your neighbor as yourself
You gotta act like this is true
And do unto others (as you)
Would have them do to you

You shouldn’t go out killin’
Well that’s a place to start
But you’re guilty of murder
With hatred in your heart

Live by the sword, die by the sword
This truth is plain to see
You hold up your gun and bible
Blind to your hypocrisy
You hold up your gun and bible
Blind to your hypocrisy

chorus

“In god we trust” is on your cash
It’s clear who you choose to serve
You count your treasures in this earth
Your prayers they are absurd

No one can serve two masters. 
And you serve at least three
Your idols are your guns your gold
And your hatred of the lgbt (q+)

You must welcome the stranger 
The sojourner in this land
You spew hatred for the immigrant 
I don’t think you understand

Jesus did not come to earth
To preach prosperity
But what you do to the least of us
Is what you do to me
What you do to the least of us
Is what you do to me

chorus

bridge

You say I have it all wrong              
Read Matthew 10:34 
Jesus did not come to bring peace      
But instead to start a war
Setting mothers against their daughters
Fathers against their sons
But if you aint following the rest of his words
Then tell me which side are you on? 
If you live your life with hate in your heart
Then tell me, which side are you on?


The bottom line is this my friends
Treat everyone with love
You must even love your enemy
Judge not lest ye be judged
Yes even love your enemy
Judge not lest ye be judged


Chorus

end


If Republicans Found Jesus

1DSC # 90 10/12/18
Topic: CONFUSED

Title: Song for Thay

Breathe In, I know I’m breathing in
Breathe Out, I know I’m breathing out

My life My life there is confusion
My life My life I’ve lost my way
My life My life seems like a delusion
My life My life oh what have I today 

My life My life my troubles are plenty
My life My life I’m paying the cost 
My life My life I’m running on empty
My life My life sometimes I feel lost

We live in a time of confusion
a land of illusion
collective delusion

We live in a world of distraction
of frivolous action 
devoid of compassion

what we want and we take and we take it now
what we got and we make and we make it now
what is real and we fake and we fake it now
what is whole and we break and we break it now 

There is no escape
no way out this illusion
the further on we press
the deeper the confusion

The only way is in 
and it’s easy to begin 
all we really need
is to just sit down and breathe

Breathe In, I know I’m breathing in
Breathe Out, I know I’m breathing out

(Thay is pronounced "tie")

Song For Thay (1DSC)

1DSC # 104 April 5, 2020
Topic: LIMIT
Title: How Far

I always thought we’d make it better
Always believing that our hearts can make a change
We’d tear down the walls between us
All we need is for this world  to rearrange 

I always thought we could do better
clinging to the crusts of mediocrity
passions changing like the weather
watch it every day played out on the tv

How far will we go
until we reach our limit
How far will we go
until we reach our end

I always thought that we would make it
It never really seemed like all of this could end
If there was  a clear path I’d take it
At least through all of this I’m glad to have a friend

How far will we go
until we reach our limit
How far will we go
until we reach our end

How Far

Looking at my rear view
Trying hard to get through
say the things that 
I wish I had said

Looking at my p-m’s
Trying  once to see if
Anything I said 
had got to you

Listen to the clock tick
Trying hard to stop it
But every day 
It keeps on moving

Listen to the traffic
Every day its hectic But sometimes 
We find solace  

you know I’m all in the game
oh yea I’m all in the game
Things may never be the same
But I would do it all again

Looking for a reason
A change in the season
anything that tells me
where I stand

Listen as you open
all your fears and hopes and
tell me what you need me to 
understand

You know I’m all in the game
oh yea I’m all in the game
Things may never be the same
But I would do it all again 
Things may never be the same
But I would do it all again 

This track was written for FAWM (February Album Writing Month) 2021.

All In The Game

This is Jason Tate's Songwriting space. These are the first drafts. If you  find yourself here, enjoy! If you would like to book a gig, a recording, or collaborate, email Jason: songsbyjason@gmail.com
~~
Jason Tate is a bassist, multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter based out of Portland, OR. 
After a decades long career playing bass for top tier original music acts, including Lisa Valentine, the Hanging by a String Band, Audiotherapy, and Potluck, Jason Tate reinvented himself as a songwriter and artist capable of coaxing sound out of any instrument. Jason distills his lifetime love and exploration of music into his own unique and instantly recognizable brand of Alt Americana, or “Y’Allternative” music. Even so, he can still be found holding down the bass for Portland’s premiere tribute band honoring the work of the Cure, Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me (KM3!)

As a Y’allternative musician, Jason puts his lyrical focus on love, loss, and vulnerability. His songs explore the challenges of modern love and existence using metaphor and humor - but just beneath the surface of his lyrics often lies a layer of meaning and insight that many find relatable - whether exploring ideas about community, masculinity, or love.

Jason is pleased to announce his newest album Songs About Trucks, planned for release in early 2026. Featuring the hit sensation “My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend's Truck,” Songs About Trucks transports the listener to a simpler time, when hearts were pure and melodies true. This release will join Jason’s 2021 album The Year of the Rat, as well as his 2023 single “Song for Thay” in sharing his unique and diverse perspective with the world. 

~~

All songs composed and performed by Jason A Tate unless otherwise noted. Published by othefool Studios (ASCAP). © 2017-2026, all rights reserved. 

Jason performs: Voice, Electric and Upright Bass, Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Piano, Synth, Sequencing & Programming, banjo, ukulele, mandolin, Conga, Agogo, bells, percussion, tambourine, and dolphin tongue drum. Also, all recording and mixing, for what it is. Drums are Superior Drummer or Drummer (Logic), with the exception of "Spice" which features Jason on electric drums.
~~
Jason’s music can be found on all streaming platforms, as well as at the following locations:
Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/songsbyjason
Instagram: songsbyjason
Youtube: @jasontatemusic
Email: songsbyjason@gmail.com

Jason Tate

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