It’s late. I mean, even for my brother out in California, it’s late. Which means that in New York City? All the normal people are already sleeping.
Which begs a question: what’s a normal person?
………
Right. That’s what I suspected.
But! Today, I drank tea and spoke with friends about being pregnant. Well, more like I listened to a friend tell me about being pregnant, not having any experience with it myself. And I listened to another friend talk about meditation and, between the two of those friends, they’ve got healthy down. It doesn’t get much more…organic…than pregnancy…and meditation is good for just about everything a human is. Right? Right.
Anyway.
Many people have been telling me that the little video from the subway that a stranger turned no longer a stranger took of me in which I spur-of-the-moment played one of my songs with a stranger turned…well, he’s still a stranger, cause I can’t find him cause I LOST his number. Because I would LOSE my head if it were not attached to my body. No, correction: I would get my head stuck under mounds and mounds of clothes that are stacked as high as an elephant’s eye within the confines of my tiny room. Oh, but my point to this is that many people have been throwing the word viral around.
“You’re going viral, Jess!” they say.
And I cannot help but think it sounds like I am on the verge of infecting massive amounts of people with something fatal. Which doesn’t sound all that pleasant. And, because I know it’s far from the truth, the thought still makes me laugh just a tiny bit inside. Cause I just think viral is a weird word.
Moving on.
And I must say…about this whole viral thing…well, it’s surreal. I love to sing. One of my earliest memories is singing to my animals. The dogs and cats always seemed to tolerate it, so I guess I just eventually moved on to singing for people. Anyway, if this can lead to making albums–real live albums!–and getting to sing for more people (and heck, maybe even some more cats and dogs, if they’d like!)–then, it’s the stuff of dreams. And that silly phrase comes to mind right now–the one that always sounds so absurd, cause it makes the person sound like they really shouldn’t be standing in the first place if it’s THAT easy to knock them over–but maybe, just maybe, it applies at this moment: you could knock me right over with a feather. Especially a peacock feather–those things look TOUGH.
Oh, and here is a version of ain’t my friend. Cleaner. Recorded on my phone. SO CLASSY. And in the basement laundry room. And you didn’t think it could get any classier.
And also, if you wanna download that laundry-room version of the song, you can go HERE. Many thanks to my friend, Rod Kim (who’s an awesome musician; check him out!), for putting that together. I, myself, do not understand all the whirly twirly ways of the internet, and, had I tried to do this, would probably have gotten so dreadfully lost, that not even Google would be able to find me.
And as for the recording–please don’t expect perfection. Cause that would just be too normal. And since I am still up at 4:33 in the AM, I have already proven that I am anything but that.
And another reason not to expect perfection?
I recorded it in a basement laundry room. With my phone.
Like I said, CLASSY.
Hi! I just wanted to tell you that I saw all your videos and they are awesome! I’m sharing them with as many people as I can. You’re really talented!
Greetings from Germany!
Take care!
Hi Eva! Thank you for your kind, kind words. And all the way from Germany. What a nice thought to sleep on (which is what I’m about to do). Good night!
First:”whirly twirly ways of the internet”. Haha
Second:your video has shown up on my fb news feed. Posted by people that don’t know you! I find this terribly exciting. I really hope something good comes out of this for you!
thank you, Meghann–you and me both, my friend:)
Great job!
I appreciate it, David!
the internet is very twirly. you’re cool ^_^
super twirly! I get so confused in all its twirlyness…!
I am so happy for you!!!!i love this song and love your heart even more!!! i am so excited to see what unfolds for you!!!!!!
thank you, dear dear sare!
I saw your video in my FB feed, shared by a friend who lives in NYC (I’m in CT). It’s early Friday morning and I’m usually not smiling at this hour, but after watching your video (twice), sharing it with my FB friends and on Twitter, I came by here to thank you. That was wonderful.
thank you for stopping by; I appreciate it so much. And, believe me, I’m not one who usually smiles early in the morning, either (usually cause I’m still asleep…). Thanks, Jon!
Jess if this keeps up you might just break the internet
hahaha well, my phone and computer are sure acting real real tired lately, poor things! xo
Hello Jessica, by now, I’m sure you’re drowning in cliches, but the thing that I find truly inspiring about you, your music, and the phenomenon(another keen word thanks to that muppets thingy) that is your recent video is that despite the music industry and mass media’s best attempts to homogenize and package up entertainment into tidy little packages like fast food, the “whirly twirly ways of the internet” still make it possible for people with real beauty, real talent, & real art to rise above the mediocrity. While I don’t even know, you seem like a cool chick, so keep on being YOU.
Best of Luck,
Mike Mitchell
Atlanta, GA
Hey Mike! I really appreciate these words…wow. beautiful. And yes, the internet (and all it’s whirly twirl ways!) can be awesome like that. Thank you for your encouragement; I think I will keep being me; I honestly don’t know what else to do, is the thing;)
You are very inspiring. I hope the exposure from that wonderful moment on the subway, opens more possibilities for you than ever imagined. You seem so humble and carefree it is refreshing to watch that video and read your blog.
Thank you.
thank you so much, Nic. For coming here, reading these words. It’s pretty amazing that people take the time to do these things–I am grateful. All the best to you this new year!
real powerful Joy you share. the wind is at your back; your sails are unfurling carrying you to wild unimaginable adventures. thanks you!
‘wild, unimaginable adventures.”
Sounds a lot like life, huh?
thank you, Mark:)
Hi, Jess!
I’ve just watched your performance in NYC subway and I’m really impressed! I also really like your clearer version of this song Ain’t My Friend! It’s amazing! Would you mind posting the lyrics for this one? 
I’d really appreciate it! Thanks in advance! Greetings from Poland! 
Hi Jess- awesome song! What instrument are you playing? Is that a travel guitar?
Hi Jessica, I also saw your subway video on my fb feed and I’m going to share it too. Awesome! I hope it goes viral as well. Have you ever tried out for American Idol or X Factor–you’re really talented and you’ve got that something different! Best of luck on your career! : )
Hi! I also just saw your subway video! Internet is awesome that way! I’m absolutely in love with you and your voice! I can’t wait to hear more and I wish you all the best in your career! I am so excited for you!
I’m just so excited for you, Jess. SO excited. I have been praying for you to get a job, and I can’t IMAGINE this beautiful thing won’t lead to something, and MAN, doesn’t God do things with SPARKLE sometimes?? It’s insane and you are talented and I will miss being your friend when you are famous but I will still be really excited to watch it happen.
Love you forever.
Lovveee your song – especially the rap! Will share you with the teenagers I teach on Monday morning!
Pretty damn amazing,
I am now hooked on this song!
Good luck & I look forward to one day going to your concerts!
you made it on wimp.com
wimp is awesome! so happy for you … http://www.wimp.com/nycsubway/
i like wimp.com on fb and occasionally they post videos in the newsfeed and this one showed up today. yay for you!!
I would rather watch and listen to YOU all day then any Kardashian.
#justsaying
Awwwww Jess!! (blushes) thanks for the shout out! you have always made our little friend group of musicians smile so much and now the world can share in the joy you bring!
anyway we can have the lyrics to “ain’t my friend”?
and let us know of any upcoming performances? would love to come see you live!
She has them posted on the youtube page but youtube smashes it all together – I think this is pretty close to how she would write them out – Jessica – feel free to delete this comment if the presentation is wrong!
Ain’t My Friend
baby, you ain’t my friend,
and I ain’t your last call;
nor can I let my heart wonder how you feel about me at all.
‘Cause you got all your fans,
people who are on call,
but I ain’t one of them, nor can I let my self pretend…
oh-oh-oh, baby, you ain’t my friend. oh-oh-oh…
……
See, I don’t really really wanna just be your friend,
we’re either gonna play this game or let the game end;
I mean, sure, I’ll be polite and wave as I walk by,
but it hurts way too much to act like we still fly;
After everything that happened, that happened between us–
you’re so good at pretending, while I just make a fuss;
now, I ain’t saying that it’s now or it’s never gonna be,
I’m just saying that this friendship feels impossible to me;
and maybe someday it’ll be just fine between us,
but that day ain’t today,
and maybe there’s some truth to the way they always say
that, baby, you’re from mars, and maybe I’m from, I’m from, I’m from venus
…chorus…
it’s not like you were wrong
when you decided that I didn’t belong next to you,
it’s just hard to stand here with you,
when I’m not really with you,
do you know what I mean?
don’t think I’m trying to be mean – no!
I think you’re just great,
too great,
in fact, that’s why I take a step back;
it’s just a matter of survival as I walk through this new trial;
don’t take it personally,
cause I’m just trying to live free,
to take a deep breath now and feel what I feel;
as I keep walking, watch me walking, no, I won’t stop,
though you ain’t here, stop
with all the fear I tell myself, again and again,
just as long as you say that you are my friend
…so, hey hey hey, a baby (ay ay ay)
you live your life now,
and I’ll be busy living mine…
so hey hey hey, a baby (ay ay ay),
I already got quite enough friends now,
thank you, yeah, I’ll be fine
…chorus…