Anytime was my first full-length, self-produced album.

All 12 tracks were recorded live-to-digital on Friday, September 9, 1988. The “studio” was Mayer Auditorium, located in the basement of the Academy Building, on the campus of Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, N.H. The session started at 6:00 pm.

Frank Cunningham was the recording engineer. He was also the owner of a brand new – not-available-in-the-US – digital recorder that he’d brought home from a recent trip to Japan and used for this session. Frank mastered the album using the Lexicon Opus Audio Production System.

I played three guitars on this recording: an acoustic Ovation “Legend;” an acoustic Harmony H-165 (tuned down a whole step); and an electric Gibson ES-125T, running through a Polytone “102” amplifier.

Joining me that evening were Anne Black on viola and Jim Howe on upright bass.

Anytime was released on cassette tape, “Duplicated in Real Time on Chrome Tape with Dolby B NR.”

Side A

Track 1: “Anytime”

Anytime

Anytime
That you like 
Would be nice.
Any day 
That you say 
Will be alright.
But if it’s all the same to you,
I was hoping we could make it soon,
But either way, 
It’s ok, 
Anytime.

Anytime, 
Day or night, 
I don’t mind.
Any way, 
You don’t have 
To call or write.
You know you’re always welcome here,
Anytime of the year,
So come on down, 
I’m around, 
Anytime.

Well, I know that you’ve been busy,
Well, I’ve been busy, too.
But I can always find just a little time
For an old friend like you.

So, anytime 
That you like 
Would be nice,
Any day 
That you say 
Will be alright.
When you’ve got nothing else to do,
Or if you’re passing through,
Well, don’t be shy, 
Just drop by 
Anytime.

Well, I know that you’ve been busy,
Well, I’ve been busy, too.
But I can always find just a little time
For an old friend like you.

So, anytime 
That you like 
Would be nice,
Any day 
That you say 
Will be alright.
When you’ve got nothing else to do,
Or if you’re passing through,
Well, don’t be shy, 
Just drop by 
Anytime.
Ah, come on down, 
I’m around, 
Anytime.
Whoa, either way, 
It’s ok, 
Anytime.

Track 2: “You’re The One” – with Anne Black, Viola

You’re The One

I don’t know just what it is
But something about you gives me chills.
Always has, always will
Nothing thrills me quite the way you do.
How do you do it?

From the start, my heart told me
She’s the one you’ve been waiting for.
Now my heart won’t stop shouting
You’re the one, my one and only,
You’re the one, my only one.

Every time that you’re near
Everything else disappears.
All my cares, all my fears,
Nothing clears the way as well as you
Over and over.

From the start, my heart told me
She’s the one you’ve been waiting for.
Now my heart won’t stop shouting
You’re the one, my one and only
You’re the one, my only one.

Well, I can’t wait, anytime I’m away
When I’m home, I know right where I belong.

From the start, my heart told me
She’s the one you’ve been waiting for.
Now my heart won’t stop shouting
You’re the one, my one and only
You’re the one, my one and only,
You’re the one, my only one.

Track 3: “The Reason I’m Here”

The Reason I’m Here

Lately I’ve wondered, 
Asked me some questions
Had a few doubts that I can’t seem to shake.
For all of those times when life wants an answer
You’re all that I need to say.

You’re the reason I’m here,
The one thing I’m sure of,
The reason that keeps me from going astray.
You’re the reason I’m here,
It’s perfectly clear,
You’re the reason I’ll be here the rest of my days.

Sometimes I search,
Often, I stumble,
Sometimes I simply don’t know what to do.
But if I should hurt you, it’s not my intention,
I’ve never been that big a fool.

You’re the reason I’m here,
The one thing I’m sure of,
The reason that keeps me from going astray.
You’re the reason I’m here,
It’s perfectly clear,
You’re the reason I’ll be here the rest of my days.

I know how it might seem
But you’re still the reason I need to believe.

You’re the reason I’m here,
The one thing I’m sure of,
The reason that keeps me from going astray.
You’re the reason I’m here,
It’s perfectly clear,
You’re the reason I’ll be here the rest of my days.

You’re the reason I’ll be here the rest of my days.

Track 4: “The Force Of Habit”

The Force of Habit

Some things you do every day of your life,
Some things you do maybe once or twice.
Some things you do whenever you can,
Some things you didn’t do but wish you had.
Some things you do that you’d rather not
But the force of habit just won’t be stopped.

Sometimes you do what you think is best,
Sometimes you do like everybody else.
Sometimes you get to do whatever you want,
Oh, sometimes if you’re lucky you don’t get caught.
Aw but, just when you think you can’t do anything right
You know the force of habit shows you the light.

Now, you might think that you got a choice,
All you gotta do is try to avoid it.
You might think you got something to say,
Ah but, some things you’re never gonna change.

Some days you wish that you’d stayed in bed,
Some days you swear you’d be better off dead.
Some days you stumble, some days you dance,
Aw, some days are one big kick in the pants.
Aw but, just when you think you can’t stand anymore,
You know the force of habit takes control.

Now, you can go and try to get some help,
Find a doctor give you some kind for pill for it.
You can try every trick in the book,
Oh, and someday you might find one that works.

Some things you do that you can’t explain,
Some things you promise that you won’t do again.
Some things you do when there’s no way out,
Some things you’d never do, no matter what.
But when the things you do don’t make any sense
You know the force of habit’s your best defense.

Track 5: “Love Is Given” – with Jim Howe, Upright Bass (and me playing the Gibson)

Love Is Given

Love is given
At the strangest times of the day.
It slips into your voice
Like the sun ‘round the edge of a shade.
But if it knocks on the door
When there’s nobody home,
Steps into the light before you’re really ready to go,
Ah, don’t you worry,
Love doesn’t have to explain.

A heart can be broken
At any time of the year,
There’s nothing in a season
That can make the pain disappear.
You can’t make it stop,
No, it’s not gonna to wait
All you can do is just let the damn thing break.
Oh, don’t you worry, 
Love will persevere.

Oh, don’t be afraid to fall,
It’s better to cry than not to have loved at all.

Love is given
At the most inappropriate times,
It’s never been famous
For its sense of reason or rhyme.
Ready or not, aw, you can’t say when,
Your heart comes open and there you go again.
Ah, don’t you worry,
Love’s what keeps us alive.

Ah, don’t you worry,
Love’s what keeps us alive.

Track 6: “All In All” – (with me playing the Harmony)

All In All

Hey there, buddy, it’s been quite a while,
Seen a lot of sights, crossed a lot of miles,
Bet you got some stories to tell.
Sit yourself down, take a load off your feet,
Nothing very much to say about me.
Got no stories to tell.

All in all, things are ‘bout the same,
All in all, I really can’t complain,
All in all, I’m doing alright.
I love my woman and she loves me,
I got me a job and I make good money,
Count my blessings every day.
All in all, still got to be a better way.

Day after day, the whole day through,
The harder I try, the more that I do,
Seems like it’s never enough.
But every now and then, late at night,
Lying in my bed, I wonder what it’s like
Living the way you do.

All in all, things are ‘bout the same,
All in all, I really can’t complain,
All in all, I’m doing alright.
I love my woman and she loves me,
I got me a job and I make good money,
Count my blessings every day.
All in all, still got to be a better way.

All in all, I really don’t mind,
All in all, I have a good time.
All in all, I just can’t deny
I want my cake like everybody else,
But ‘till I get it all, I’ll give it my best.
Count my blessings every day,
All in all, you couldn’t drag me away.

You couldn’t drag me away.

Side B

Track 7: “Anything At All” – (with me on harmonica)

Anything At All

I don’t know what’s the matter with me,
Something’s really got me shaking.
Nobody I’ve been to see can find an explanation.
It’s all a mystery, the way it comes and goes.
I don’t know what’s the matter with me,
I don’t think I wanna know.
But as long as I can turn to you,
Well, I know I can make it through
Anything at all, anything at all
Anything at all, anything at all.

I don’t know what’s got me down,
Maybe I’m just tired of waiting.
Every time I make a sound, ends up all complicated.
It’s all a mystery, is this how it’s supposed to go?
I don’t know what’s the matter with me,
Only hope it doesn’t show.
But as long as I can turn to you,
Well, I know I can make it through
Anything at all, anything at all
Anything at all, anything at all.

I don’t know what’s the matter with me,
Something’s really got me shaking.
Everybody I’ve been to see, got a different explanation.
It’s all a mystery, ah, but I’ve had enough,
I don’t know what’s the matter with me
But I’m not giving up.
‘Cause as long as I can turn to you,
Well, I know I can make it through
Anything at all, anything at all
Anything at all, anything at all.

Anything at all, anything at all...

Track 8: “If Looks Could Kill”

If Looks Could Kill

If looks could kill,
That one would’ve done the trick.
If names could break my bones like sticks and stones,
I’d sure be in a fix.
I said that I was sorry,
But I knew it wouldn’t help.
How can I explain when I’m not so sure myself?

If I’d been smart,
I’d ‘ve never said a word.
We’ve been through these things so many times before,
You’d think I’d learn.
So, let’s just get it over with,
C’mon and give me hell.
Have I ever mentioned that you wear your anger well?
If looks could kill,
I’d be lying cold and still.

If love’s so blind,
How’s it gonna see us through?
If you and I could put aside our stubborn pride,
Who knows what it could do?
Long as we keep talking,
As long as we can laugh,
Long as I survive all your fiery eyed attacks.
If looks could kill,
Whoa ho, if looks could kill.

If looks could kill,
Hm mm, if looks could kill

If looks could kill.

Track 9: “The Ladies Of Fairburn” – with Anne Black, Viola

The Ladies of Fairburn

Somewhere in England,
The Midlands of England,
By the banks of the Fairburn Inge,
Where the summertime light
Holds back on the night,
And it’s all so easy to see.

Well, out there between
The motorway’s stream
And the coal mines timeless refrain,
A village lies sleeping,
Peacefully sleeping,
And perched on the edge of a dream.

But tonight, the dream is kept waiting,
While the hall lights quietly burn.
There’s a whisper in the night,
“I pray God, they’re alright.”
For the Ladies of Fairburn have not yet returned
From the dance.

Well, Vicki and the queen,
Her best friend, Jeanine,
Are off in a world of their own.
A world made of lights,
Street noise and fights,
Glances and good rock ‘n roll.

Well, Vicki tries hard,
With her curls and her scarves,
While Jeanine just stands there and smiles.
They’re women of the world,
Disguised as two girls,
Doing all that they can to survive.

But the night can’t hold them forever,
The music plays only so long.
The summer must pass,
And when this one has passed,
The Ladies of Fairburn can never return
To the dance.

Both of them know,
When it comes time to go,
You leave all the lessons behind.
But then how do you start,
Can you follow your heart 
Or do you grab any hand you can find?

But tonight, it all doesn’t matter,
The summer sits tight by the curb.
And though it may not be bright,
There’s always that light
If the Ladies of Fairburn should ever return
From the dance.

Track 10: “Dancin’ To The Beat (Of Your Heart)” – with Jim Howe, Upright Bass (and me playing the Gibson)

Dancin’ To The Beat (Of Your Heart)

You pick me up, you drive me crazy
You calm me down and you show me the way
Day after day, right from the start
You got me dancin’ to the beat of your heart.

You got me twirled around your finger
You’re my girl, so why should I care?
Whether we’re together or apart
You got me dancin’ to the beat of your heart.

You got me dancin’, I’m kickin’ my heels
You got me pinchin’ myself
Can this be real?

You make me laugh, you make me wonder
How did I ever get along without you?
Now and forever, no matter what
You got me dancin’ to the beat of your heart.

You got me dancin’, oh, I’m slipped into a groove
Can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doin.’

You pick me up, you got my number
You calm me down and you show me the way
Now and forever, no matter what
You got me dancin’ to the beat of your heart.

Dancin’ to the beat of your heart

Dancin’ to the beat…

Track 11: “Song For Andrea”

Song For Andrea

I find myself imagining
You within my arms.
The pressure of your breathing near
The whisper of your heart
But as I do, I catch myself
And wondrously repeat
That what I’d only dreamed of
Is now something that I’ve seen.

I picture you as you and I
Gliding into place.
Lost among the nightlights falling
Softly through the rain.
But every time you look to me
That image never seems 
To be the kind of heaven
I’ve known only in my dreams.

Come between us
Call it what you shall
There’s a feeling now between us
That I swear I’ve never felt.

And sometimes, when I’m sitting here
Caught up in these scenes
I have to think that missing her
Was also once a dream.
But dreams are made for coming true
I feel another gone.
Yes, it seems I’ve found a woman to surround me
And be my song.

Track 12: “Sing Me Home”

Sing Me Home

Sometimes don’t know how to stop
And sometimes got nothing to hold on to
But sometimes all it takes
To chase my blues away
Is to hear my favorite song on the radio.

Now, late at night when everything is still
As I watch my love lie sleeping on her pillow
I know there’s just no way
I could make it through the day
If I had to make it on my own.

So, won’t you sing me home
Sing me home
The day is over, my work is done
Got a road to travel, but it won’t be long
If you’ll sing me home.

Now, life can be all cold and dark
And life can be like a fire in your heart
Aw, but livin’s at it best when you keep it off your chest
And every now and then you get what you want.

So, won’t you sing me home
Sing me home
The day is over, my work is done
Got a road to travel, but it won’t be long
If you’ll sing me home.

Sing me home…

All songs – words & music – and performances – guitar & vocals – are Copyright 1988 Eric F. Sinclair.