BITTERSWEET
Drawing inspiration from folk, pop, and Americana, Ava Simone's debut EP entitled "Bittersweet" has juxtaposing themes throughout. From the folk guitar underlaying lyrics that deal with mental health struggles found in Pages, to the ukulele based pop anthem with lyrical themes of loss and loneliness, aptly named Do, Bittersweet explores the full range of her influence. From the introspective Still, to the chilling reality faced in Thoughts and Prayers, and the layered vocals and the gorgeous piano arrangement that add up to the tender yet powerful lullaby that is Sappho's Song, "Bittersweet" is, without a doubt, a must-listen.
LINER NOTES
Bittersweet Lyrics
“Pages”
Ava Simone
[Verse 1]
I never really noticed ‘til you walked out of my life,
How much I need you standing by my side.
Before this day I hadn’t said a word,
Now I’m shouting out but I can’t be heard.
[Chorus]
Remembering to breathe and learning how to live my life
In a world that would rather call pain a humble strife.
All the crying and laughing turns to screaming and slamming doors,
Feels like pages from a book I think I’ve read before.
Feels like pages from a book I think I’ve read before.
[Verse 2]
My head spins a million miles an hour trying to work it out:
Why did all my hope turn to doubt?
It’s all the little moments that break us down real slow,
Through the years it built up and it won’t let go.
[Chorus]
Remembering to breathe and learning how to live my life
In a world that would rather call pain a humble strife.
All the crying and laughing turns to screaming and slamming doors,
Feels like pages from a book I think I’ve read before.
Feels like pages from a book I think I’ve read before.
[Outro]
It’s all the little moments that break us down real slow,
Through the years it built up and it won’t let go.
“Still”
Ava Simone
[Verse 1]
When the wind blows the clouds away from me,
I can see, oh I can see, you clearly.
Please come down, down off the ledge,
Com home again.
Home again.
[Chorus]
The fog rises from your weary mind,
You’re still mine, we still have time.
Fog rises from your weary mind,
You’re still mine, we still have time.
[Verse2]
All that blue in your soul,
It’s part of you, it makes you whole.
Red, yellow, green, and everything,
It’s a sky of colors, like no other.
[Chorus]
The fog rises from your weary mind,
You’re still mine, we still have time.
Fog rises from your weary mind,
You’re still mine, we still have time.
[Instrumental bridge]
[Outro]
You’re still mine, we still have time.
You’re still mine, we still have time.
You’re still mine, we still have time.
“Do”
Ava Simone
[Verse 1]
Too much on my mind,
Like I’m running out of time.
Nights are dark and long,
And worse still when I get to thinking of you.
And when I think of you,
Might as well not call
It the night at all.
[Chorus]
Do do do do do do do do
Do do do do do do do do
Do do do do do do do do
All I see is darkness.
Do do do do do do do do
Do do do do do do do do
Do do do do do do do do
But in the darkness I’ve got you.
[Verse 2]
Quarter past three,
There’s too much on my mind to sleep.
But among the chaos that is my mind,
There’s you.
The dream that weaves its way
In between the nightmares
Isn’t a dream at all.
[Chorus]
Do do do do do do do do
Do do do do do do do do
Do do do do do do do do
All I see is darkness.
Do do do do do do do do
Do do do do do do do do
Do do do do do do do do
But in the darkness I’ve got you.
Do do do do do do do do
Do do do do do do do do
Do do do do do do do do
All I see is darkness.
Do do do do do do do do
Do do do do do do do do
Do do do do do do do do
But in the darkness I’ve got you.
“Thoughts and Prayers”
Ava Simone
[Verse 1]
Our thoughts and prayers are with victim,
Though their deaths we could’ve prevented
You’d think after twenty-nine lives,
We’d come to our senses.
[Verse 2]
Our thoughts and prayers are with victims,
Though their deaths we could’ve prevented,
You’d think after forty-nine lives,
We’d come to our senses.
[Chorus]
Belief just isn’t enough,
Has is ever worked before?
I know He wasn’t there
When bullets rained through the church door.
Our leaders have lost their way
On the map to reality,
They’ve gone too far astray,
It’s up to you and me.
[Verse 3]
Our thoughts and prayers are with victims,
Though their deaths we could’ve prevented.
You’d think after fifty-eight lives,
We’d come to our senses.
[Verse 4]
Our thoughts and prayers are with victims,
Though their deaths we could’ve prevented.
You think that every time,
“This time we’ll come to our senses.”
[Chorus]
Belief just isn’t enough,
Has is ever worked before?
I know He wasn’t there
When bullets rained through the church door.
Our leaders have lost their way
On the map to reality,
They’ve gone too far astray,
It’s up to you and me.
[Bridge]
You and me,
You and me,
You and me,
You and me.
[Outro]
Our leaders have lost their way
On the map to reality,
They’ve gone too far astray,
It’s up to you and me.
“Sappho’s Song”
Ava Simone
[Verse 1]
Feel the sun, shining through,
Rain falls down for me and you.
Leaves of green, roses too,
Rain falls down for them and you.
[Chorus]
As it falls,
The world is kin.
My baby knows
The love she’s in.
[Verse 2]
Feel the sun, shining through.
Rain falls down for me and you.
[Chorus]
As it falls,
The world is kin.
My baby knows
The love she’s in.
Produced by Ava Simone
Recorded at Tipping Rock Studio in the barn
Lead vocals: Ava Simone Background vocals: Ava Simone, Annie Lynch Stevenson, Sophia Rose Tompko Guitar: Ava Simone Upright bass: Garth Stevenson Piano: Ava Simone Pump organ: Ava Simone Cello: Garth Stevenson Ukulele: Ava Simone Electric bass: Garth Stevenson Glockenspiel: Ava Simone Percussion: Ava Simone, Hugh Barrett Engineers: Annie Lynch Stevenson, Garth Stevenson Mixing: Garth Stevenson Mastering: Garth Stevenson Photographer: Erin Tierney Chrusciel
Songs composed and arranged by Ava Simone
String/bass arrangements by Garth Stevenson and Ava Simone
Lyrics by Ava Simone except track 5, cowritten with Jackie Barrett
Special Thanks
To the Barrett Clan, without whom this isn't possible, to Annie Lynch Stevenson for her patience, knowledge, enthusiasm, energy, time, and support over the years, and for giving me my voice, to Aaron for being the best brother I never had, to Andrew for writing something by hand, as well as the whole Irish fam for being perpetually supportive and enthusiastic beyond any and all reason, to the Chrusciel Group for being the best kitchen cabinet ever, and to the Pondview Coalition. To all those who've acted as silent forces in my life, propelling me forward into this project and beyond, this EP is for you.