Thoughts: Phil Lynott tribute song by James Taylor

From time to time I get requests from people wanting to hear some of the songs I've written, including my Philip Lynott tribute THOUGHTS. Webspace and bandwith issues have always been a problem, but with my new host/site that has changed.

To start things off, of course, here is my Phil Lynott tribute song: THOUGHTS. (LRYICS below)

The first version is a nicely 'rocked up' version by DRIPFEED, from Holland.

This is followed by the original song-writing demo, by THIN AIR (trcjt).

For more background on the song - click here

(Cover Version) - performed by Holland's DRIPFEED

click here if audio does not play

(Original song-writing demo) - performed by THIN AIR

click here if audio does not play

Well I've got these thoughts runnin' round inside my head
Like how Philip's gone and he left some things unsaid
The boys are back in town, to do what they can do
Beer and a sandwich are food for thought
And now those thoughts include you

To me it all makes sense
But I can't find words that do
So I wrote this song to help you understand
And I dedicate it to you

Well I've got these thoughts in my head both night and day
Like, I think I thought you said, oh what did you say?
"You're either feeling better, or worse, but which I'm just not sure
I don't know what it is that you've got but I know that music's the cure".

To me it all makes sense
But I can't find words that do
So I wrote this song to help you understand
And I dedicate it to you

Well I've got these thoughts runnnin' round inside my brain
Thank God for friends, or life would be insane
I thank Him for the music and the time with you
It's never enough but it's gotta do
Can't they understand what it's all about
We're just friend helping friend get through

To me it all makes sense
But I can't find words that do
So I wrote this song to help you understand
And I dedicate it to you

Well I've got these thoughts in my head both day and night
But when I jot them down I just can't seem to "write quite right"
I know you've helped me make it through thick and thin
And I never could explain
And even now I can't put into words why we're going down that road again

To me it all makes sense
But I can't find words that do
So I wrote this song to help you understand
And I dedicate it to you

In January of 1991 on a lonely drive home from the big city, the radio announcer told me that they would be playing a new song by Thin Lizzy in the next half hour, a world premiere they called it...the promo copy had just arrived in the station moments before.

The song turned out to be Dedication and when I heard it, it sent a chill up and down my spine, profoundly affecting me! I mean, here was Philip Lynott, who had DIED 5 years earlier, singing about the soldiers on the front line just hours after the beginning of the IRAQ war ... which had the potential to be the beginning of World War III (but thankfully didn't, as it turned out). The song Thoughts, which I wrote not long afterwards, reflects some of that impact.