Loop de Loop Album Credits & Lyrics

Susan: vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboard, percussion, vocal arrangements
Tom Manche: acoustic & electric guitars, keyboard, bass, percussion, backing vocals
Dave Francis: bass
Bryan Owings: drums & percussion
Al Hill: piano & B3
Jim Hoke: clarinet
Sarah Aili, Kyshona Armstrong, Mary Bragg, Phoebe Elliot, Ronnie Kimball, & Barbara Santoro: backing vocals
 
Photography & Graphics: Jeff Thorneycroft/retroluxe.com

Produced by Susan Anders and Tom Manche
 
Recorded and Mastered by Tom Manche at Studio X in Nashville, TN
 
All songs © 2017 Susan Anders (SESAC) except
"A Better Me" © 2017 Susan Anders (SESAC) & Phoebe Elliot (BMI)
 
©℗ 2017 Zanna Discs PO Box 160965 Nashville, TN 37216

1. Dark Rich Soil 
2. My Parachute
3. I Keep Forgetting You 
4. Aimless 
5. A Better Me
6. No Mother's Daughter 
7. Day at the Beach 
8. How Far We Get
9. City City 
10. More Trouble, More Love 
11. Hope is a Beatnik 
12. Up and Over 

Individual Song Credits:
Backing vocalists are listed from highest to lowest singer on each song

1. Dark Rich Soil
Vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, hand claps: Susan
Acoustic guitar, bass, percussion, hand claps: Tom Manche
Backing Vocal: Kyshona Armstrong
Backing Vocal: Sarah Aili
Backing Vocal: Phoebe Elliot


It was dark rich soil
I put the seeds in the ground
I watered them good
But I didn’t let ‘em drown
Didn’t think I needed to
But every night I prayed
Come early June
A little bitty sprout came
And the summer was good and long and sunny
But by August he still did not love me

Chorus:
Okay, I did it all right
Sowed it tight
And barely nothing came up
No way, no reason or rhyme
I’ve done all my crying
I’ll find some other love

I could whine and wail
I could worry out the floor
I could analyze it all
But God, what for?
Some crops don’t grow
Though they get everything they need
Some men talk big
Then waste a whole lot of seed
‘Cause the summer was good and long and sunny
But by August he still did not love me

Chorus

It was dark rich soil (I bet it was)
I put the seeds in the ground (I bet you did)
I watered them good (but not too much)
But I didn’t let ‘em drown (no just enough)
Didn’t think I needed to (you never know)
But every night I prayed (I bet you did)
Got so worked up (what happened then?)  
When a bitty sprout came (yeah, just like love)  
And the summer was good and long and sunny
But by August - where was he?  

It was dark rich soil
I got to find another love
It was dark rich soil
I got to find another love

© 2017 Susan Anders (SESAC)/Zanna Songs (SESAC)

2. My Parachute
Vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion: Susan
Piano: Al Hill
Bass: Dave Francis
Cajon & drums: Bryan Owing
Backing vocal: Barbara Santoro


Airplanes and birds and autumn leaves caught in the wind
Everything that rises up, and comes back down again
I am with them too, sometimes I glide above it all
When I shoot back down you’re there, you always break my fall

I suppose it’s just life
Dropping low, swooping high  
In a wild loop de loop
So I soar then I dive
And I hope you don’t mind
If I hold onto you?
My parachute

Music swells and babies laugh, and life can be so sweet
But friends and dreams can go like that - I’m crying in the street
So much beauty so much sadness so much up and down  
But I can make some sense of it whenever you’re around

I suppose it’s just life...

© 2017 Susan Anders (SESAC)/Zanna Songs (SESAC)


3. I Keep Forgetting You
Vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion: Susan
Bass: Dave Francis
Percussion & body slaps: Tom Manche
Chains & percussion: Bryan Owings
Backing Vocal: Mary Bragg
Backing Vocal: Kyshona Armstrong
Backing Vocal: Sarah Aili
Backing vocal: Barbara Santoro
Backing Vocal: Phoebe Elliot
Backing Vocal: Ronnie Kimball


That smile, that laugh
in the bed, in the bath
They are all photographs
I have tossed

Your chin, your knees
I’ve been setting them free
Watch them fade, watch them flee
But they won’t stay lost

I keep forgetting you
Each day I’m letting you go
I watch you disappear
Then you’re right back here
Haunting me cruel and slow  
So I keep forgetting you

Well I’m so naive
I guess I believed
Once I watched you leave you’d stay gone  
It’s my own perfect crime
My dumb trick of the mind
How your face stayed behind
And it’s wrong wrong wrong

I keep forgetting you...

Oh and it’s not what you’d want
Oh you’d rather see me move on
But I can’t transcend what we had for so long
So it’s one more so long

I keep forgetting you...

© 2017 Susan Anders (SESAC)/Zanna Songs (SESAC)


4. Aimless
Vocals, acoustic guitar, shaker: Susan
Nylon string guitar, djembe, fish: Tom Manche
Bass: Dave Francis
Backing Vocal: Mary Bragg
Backing Vocal: Sarah Aili
Backing Vocal: Phoebe Elliot


I’m a weather vane, turning in the wind  
I’m a hippie chick, you got to watch me spin   
I’m a wandering dog barking up a tree  
I’m aimless, aimless, free    

I’m a vagabond, don’t know where I am
Got a crazy foot kicking at a can
Just a paper boat floating down the stream
I’m aimless, aimless, free   

Must I always have a master plan?   
Is it so bad to not know where I am?   

I’m a 2AM what the hell joy ride
A wild card, risky to invite
Just a dandelion, bouncing in the breeze
I’m aimless, aimless, free   

Give me just one day to feel like this
And I’ll go back to how life really is
Checking one more thing off of my list
My long list that’s never done

But right now:
I’m a weather vane, turning in the wind  
I’m a hippie chick, got to watch me spin   
I’m a wandering dog barking up a tree  
I’m aimless, aimless, free

© 2017 Susan Anders (SESAC)/Zanna Songs (SESAC)

5. A Better Me
Vocals & acoustic guitar: Susan
Bass: Dave Francis
Drums: Bryan Owings
Organ: Al Hill
Backing Vocal: Kyshona Armstrong
Backing Vocal: Phoebe Elliot
Backing Vocal: Ronnie Kimball
Backing Vocal: Tom Manche


I’ve been low, been ashamed
And I know I’ve only myself to blame
I’ve been a coward and a stubborn fool
I’ve broken hearts, and a lot of rules
But it’s not too late to make a change       

So don’t tell me who I am
Or that my time is done
I’m gonna change my ways
My life has just begun
I’m gonna start right now
And it won’t take too long
To be who I want to be
I’ll find the good and strong
In a better me
Just you wait and see
I’ll find a better me

You can laugh, roll your eyes
‘Cause you’ve known me such a long long time
But until now I’ve been afraid
To look in the face of the trouble I’ve made        
But it’s not too late to make a change       

So don’t tell me who I am...

© 2017 Susan Anders (SESAC)/Zanna Songs (SESAC) & Phoebe Elliot (BMI)/Tenth Moon Music (BMI)

6. No Mother's Daughter
Vocals & acoustic guitar: Susan
Acoustic & electric guitar: Tom Manche
Bass: Dave Francis
Drums & percussion: Bryan Owings
Backing Vocal: Mary Bragg
Backing Vocal: Kyshona Armstrong
Backing Vocal: Phoebe Elliot
Backing Vocal: Ronnie Kimball


Every Mother’s Day
I’ve got nobody to call  
There’s just a tiny ache
It’s not so bad at all
I get my own band-aids    
I buy my own candy      
And when I lose my way    
You know I got a map handy

‘Cause I’m no mother’s daughter    
No mother’s daughter        
No mother’s daughter now    
Oh I’m no mother’s daughter    
No mother’s daughter        
But I do okay anyhow        

I toed a line so straight
I was an A plus girl
But I could not change how
She couldn’t linger in this world

And I’m no mother’s daughter...    

I was so small to be set free   
Untethered, flapping around in the breeze

Got a heart broken young
But I’m done rehashing it
‘Cause it made me strong
And it made me compassionate

And I’m no mother’s daughter...    

© 2017 Susan Anders (SESAC)/Zanna Songs (SESAC)


7. Day at the Beach
Vocals & acoustic guitar: Susan
Guitar & percussion: Tom Manche
Bass: Dave Francis
Backing Vocal: Mary Bragg
Backing Vocal: Phoebe Elliot
Backing Vocal: Sarah Aili


Waves are like trouble, they keep on coming
Old women stroll and wild kids are running
Birds scurry out as the tide recedes
They poke and they skitter back to you and me

A day of sand after such a hard year
We just stopped and dragged ourselves here
Now you lay back smiling, hat on your face  
Tell me to wake you in two or three days
 
Some days are no day at the beach
But this is   
Nothing to do but wait for your kisses   
I’m not thinking about yesterday or tomorrow
That’s what bliss is  
Some days are no day at the beach   
But this is

It took some working to get where we are
Sun on our legs now, I see the scars   
And not to mention the ones you can’t see
Got pretty banged up, you and me

But we can run into the blue on blue
Salt water crashes and wraps around you
I swim past the swells and it’s just me floating
Ageless again in an ageless ocean

Some days are no day at the beach...

The sun on the sea   
What else do I need?    
‘Cept you here with me

Some days are no day at the beach...

© 2017 Susan Anders (SESAC)/Zanna Songs (SESAC)

8. How Far We Get
Vocals & acoustic guitar: Susan
Electric guitar & shaker: Tom Manche
Bass: Dave Francis
Drums & Percussion: Bryan Owings
Backing Vocal: Mary Bragg
Backing Vocal: Kyshona Armstrong


Hey look, the moon is full, that’s a sign
The fireflies are lighting up “yes”   
This steamy air could melt us together
You and me, let’s see how far we get

There’s the way we keep laughing and laughing
Makes me think we’re a pretty good bet
Grab my hand, close our eyes, let’s run
You and me, let’s see how far we get

‘Cause I’ve got a feeling
And my hunches are good
We could shoot for a real thing
I think that we should

Feeling brave, gonna tell you the truth
It’s not the hot night making me sweat
A wink, a glimmer, a little terror
You and me, let’s see how far we get

Let’s start a fire, burn the names of our exes
Try some open-hearted roulette
Stay up talking till we dig a little deeper     
You and me, let’s see how far we get
 
‘Cause I’ve got a feeling...

The Big Dipper’s pointing right at us
And every part of me’s calling out “yes”   
There’s a trail here I think we better follow
You and me, let’s see how far we get

© 2017 Susan Anders (SESAC)/Zanna Songs (SESAC)


9. City City
Vocals & hand claps: Susan
Acoustic guitar, shaker, hand claps: Tom Manche
Piano: Al Hill
Bass: Dave Francis
Drums: Bryan Owings
Backing Vocal: Kyshona Armstrong
Backing Vocal: Phoebe Elliot
Backing Vocal: Sarah Aili


Red-headed woodpecker poking at a tree
Like the cold hard truth that’s been poking at me
Got the woods around me, birds sing all day
It’s so green and peaceful but I want to run away

City, city, I’m just outside your line
I can hear your music I can see your lights shine
It’s so pretty, pretty, out here where I am
But you’re pulling so hard now
City, city, city
I’m coming back again

I want to slide down the sidewalk, coffee in my hand
Doors flapping on the buildings: people out, people in
The woods are lonesome as the trees are tall
But the downtown’s full of stories and I want to hear them all

City, city, I’m just outside your line...

I’m here on the outskirts
Breathing fresh air until it hurts
Feeling like the real world’s a world away
Give me noise, give me cars
Laughter pouring from the bars
People dancing in the parks, this time I’ll stay

City, city, I’m just outside your line
I can hear your music I can see your lights shine
It’s so pretty, pretty, out here where I am
But you’re calling so loud now
I can’t stay out now
City, city, city
I’m coming back again

© 2017 Susan Anders (SESAC)/Zanna Songs (SESAC)


10. More Trouble, More Love
Vocals & acoustic guitar: Susan
Acoustic guitar, percussion, backing vocal: Tom Manche
Organ: Al Hill
Bass: Dave Francis
Drums: Bryan Owing
Backing Vocal: Kyshona Armstrong
Backing Vocal: Phoebe Elliot
Backing Vocal: Ronnie Kimball


More rain
More flood
More rot
More mud
More houses lost
More memories tossed

But more people are listening and they come around
They’re picking your wet life up off the ground
More people are pulling on their working gloves
More trouble, more love

No job, no leads
More bills each week
More desperate
More scared of what’s next

But more people are dropping by food in hand
Saying “Here’s a check, pay me back when you can”
Saying “We know you’d do the same for us”
More trouble, more love

(More love) Life can be so hard and sad
(More love) Comes creeping in when it can
(More love) Nature don’t like a vacuum, you know   
More love’s gonna fill up every empty soul

More days rip by
More close to when we’ll die
More tired and old
More weak and cold

But more spirits are listening and they gather round
Just when it’s the end that you think you’ve found
More angels surround you and pull you up
More trouble, more love

© 2017 Susan Anders (SESAC)/Zanna Songs (SESAC)


11. Hope is a Beatnik
Vocals & acoustic guitar: Susan
Acoustic guitar & percussion: Tom Manche
Bass: Dave Francis
Organ: Al Hill
Backing Vocal: Sarah Aili


Got my paper, got my coffee, got my bagel and cherry jam
I’m gonna try for a couple of minutes to be exactly where I am
Everyone thinks hope is great, it fuels us, it gets us high
But while I’m up in dreamland each day is passing by
So no more, no more wishing

‘Cause-
Hope is a beatnik
With coffee and cigarettes
Gets me all jacked up
Then drops me back down again
Acts so damn cool but hasn’t come through yet
Leaving me sad and heartsick
Hope is a beatnik

How many hours have I waited for my ship to come in?
I’ll quit my day job, fly to Paris, life will really begin
But here I am so hallelujah for this average day
Dogs are barking, sun is shining, right now that’s okay

And no more, no more wishing

‘Cause-
Hope is a beatnik
Hopped up on amphetamines
Thrills me with promises
Love and money dreams
Pounds me like bongos
Disappoints like bad poetry
Leaving me sad and heartsick
Hope is a beatnik

Kerouak sunsets, do they ever happen?
I want applause or at least fingers snapping
Dreams are so pretty, so crazy breathtaking
But what’s so wrong with this life that I’m making?

Hope is a beatnik
With coffee and cigarettes
Gets me all jacked up
Then drops me back down again
Acts so damn cool but not coming through yet
Leaving me sad and heartsick
Hope is a beatnik

© 2017 Susan Anders (SESAC)/Zanna Songs (SESAC)


12. Up and Over
for John Stoecker, Glenn Lawrence, Billy Block, and Khin-Kyaw Maung

Vocals & acoustic guitar: Susan
Acoustic guitar: Tom Manche
Bass: Dave Francis
Clarinet : Jim Hoke
Backing Vocal: Mary Bragg
Backing Vocal: Sarah Aili


Thought you’d live forever, but you had to go
Up and over
I'll see you later my friend, I know
Up and over
Up and over the clouds and away
There you headed before I could say
That I hope there’s nothing but love on your way
Up and over

Are you watching now? Are you close by?
Up and over
All my big questions rise into the sky
Up and over
It happened quickly and right off you flew
Bet you aren’t worrying like we used to do
Yeah, I hope you’re laughing at me pondering you
Up and over
 
And it feels like a galaxy between you and me and the great unknown
But sometimes in-between waking and sleeping
I feel where you've flown

Guess I'll let you go, never could hold you down
It's not like I really have a choice now
You’re up and over
Still I wish you could come here and say what it's like
I know it doesn't work like that
But then I could see you once more before you go back flying
Up and over
But you’re gone
Up and over


© 2017 Susan Anders (SESAC)/Zanna Songs (SESAC)

Producing Loop de Loop

      We went a little backwards with this production. I knew I wanted a lot of layered vocals, so instead of the typical plan of working from a foundation of bass and drums, I added backing vocals before any percussion, keyboards or lead guitar. I had virtually all of the vocal arrangements figured out and charted by the beginning of 2016. At that point we only had my guitar parts recorded, and Dave had put down some bass. I'd had a cold the previous month which left my voice a little raspy, so I exploited that and sang most of the lead vocals in January and February. Then the singers came in to sing their parts. For some of the more layered songs like "I Keep Forgetting You" it was like they were singing pieces of a patchwork quilt--until they heard the final mix the poor singers didn't have a clear idea of how their parts worked in the greater whole.
       All of April we sorted out the backing vocals and put them together. During the process I kept thinking of my late mother, who was a quilter and knew all about putting pieces together. In May Tom started adding his guitar and percussion, and Bryan and Jim came in to contribute as well.
       I was very keen on not having typical drum sounds for this project, so I compiled an iTunes playlist of songs with interesting percussion to show Tom what I wanted: Tom Waits, Paul Simon, and Fiona Apple were on the list, among others. We walked through the house hitting things to see how they sounded, slapped our legs and hands, and used a lot of hand percussion instruments. When Bryan came in we told him to bring his strangest percussion toys, and many of them ended up on the album, among them chains, metal paddles, rico rico,  and some weird thing he'd found at a tiny store in SF.