songlist
Some titles here are old alternate titles, when you click on one of these you will be taken to it's correct / latest incarnation
This colour denotes a cover version
This colour denotes a cover version
Click on a song title to take you to it's details
For extensive annals of Marissa's lyrics go to alwaysontherun.net, or just look at her record sleeves
details
| 12 STRING IMPROV (live only) | |
| • Irene Trudel show, WFMU (2005)
• WZBC (2006) • of course, you might've heard Marissa play this at any live show | |
| instrumental piece, go to the Radio Appearances section for links to the above listed shows |
| AIR INSIDE MY LUNGS | |
| • Help Wanted (2006) titled 'Nude Not Required'
• Ivy and the Clovers (2006) | |
| This song first appeared on an Esopus magazine compilation for which each artist was asked to search classified ads and write a song based on their chosen advert. Marissa chose an advertisement by an artist searching for models. |
| ALL LOVE MUST DIE | |
| • MySpace (2006) | |
| accompanied by a MySpace bulletin, which contained this from Marissa, "it is about a crazy affair of the heart -less character driven song- more driven by lust and love and lust and lust and luuuuusst" |
| ANNABELLE LEE | |
| • Ballads of Living and Dying (2004)
• Four Track Recordings, Outtakes (2006) recorded live for the BBC in 2005 • Australian Tour CD (2006) recorded live for the BBC in 2005 | |
| the lyrics for this song are taken from the Edgar Allen Poe poem of the same name | |
| Marissa Nadler | Vocals, Acoustic Guitar |
| Myles Baer | Electric Guitar, E-bow |
| Edgar Allen Poe | Lyrics |
| (BBC live version only) Orion Rigel Dommisse | Synth, Harmony Vocals |
| ASHES | |
| • Four Track Recordings, Outtakes (2006)
• Australian Tour CD (2006) | |
| Four track recording, Providence 2003 |
| AUGUST ROSE GENTLY OVER THIS TOWN | |
| • RISD Musicians vol. I (2002) | |
| Was played on WFMU in 2005 with the title 'Blue #1', I have not found a copy of the RISD CDs, so I don't know if this was it's originally published title |
| BALLAD TO AN AMBER LADY | |
| • For the Dead in Space vol. II (2003) | |
| Marissa's first widely available song | |
| Original | Pearls Before Swine - One Nation Underground (1967) |
| Michael Torres | Chimes |
| Roger Crissinger and Tom Rapp | Written By |
| BATTLE EARTH | |
| • mp3 (2008) |
| BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC | |
| • Four Track Recordings, Outtakes (2006)
• Australian Tour CD (2006) • Fig Records Compilation (2007) **never relesed** | |
| Sometimes titled 'Glory Glory Hallelujah'
Four track, Providence 2003 An excerpt from the Battle Hymn of the Republic Perhaps inspired by Odetta's version of 'Battle Hymn of The Republic' (link), Odetta being one of Marissa's influences |
| BATTLE, WE WERE | |
| • Mountain Home (2007) | |
| Marissa provides vocals for the majority of Mountain Home's debut release, she is listed as 'anonymous' | |
| Joshua Blatchley and Kristen Sherer | Written By |
| BIRD ON YOUR GRAVE | |
| • Songs III: Bird on the Water (2007) | |
| Greg Weeks | Acid Lead |
| BIRD SONG | |
| • Ballads of Living and Dying (2004) | |
| Marissa Nadler | Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Written By |
| BLACK HOLE INFINITY | |
| • 'four track vaults' mp3 (2005) titled 'old and nameless'
• Four Track Recordings, Outtakes (2006) • Australian Tour CD (2006) • Ivy and the Clovers (2006) titled 'Space Out Holy Ghost' | |
| most likely named after the musical project of Myles Baer, Marissa's longtime collaborator |
| BOTTLES | |
| • RISD Musicians vol. 2: Step Up to be Tall Sit Down to be Small (2003) |
| BOX OF CEDAR | |
| • Ballads of Living and Dying demo (2003)
• Ballads of Living and Dying (2004) • Four Track Recordings, Outtakes (2006) recorded live for the BBC in 2005 • Australian Tour CD (2006) recorded live for the BBC in 2005 • Famous Shovels in Twain (2006) live in a bathtub | |
| Marissa Nadler | Vocals, Acoustic Guitar |
| Kendra Flowers | Harmony Vocals |
| (BBC live version only) Orion Rigel Dommisse | Synth, Harmony Vocals |
| (bathtub version only) Orion Rigel Dommisse | Harmony Vocals |
| BUCKETS OF RAIN (live only) | |
| • BSR's Phoning It In show (2006) | |
| go to the Radio Appearances section for a link to the above listed show | |
| Original | Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks (1974) |
| Bob Dylan | Written By |
| CALICO | |
| • The Saga of Mayflower May (2005) |
| CATWINGS | |
| An interesting choice of adaptation, the lyrics are taken from the book Catwings by Ursula K. Le Guin
I am unsure of the title of this song, but Catwings seems appropriate | |
| Ursula K. Le Guin | Lyrics By |
| CHELSEA HOTEL #2 | |
| • Four Track Recordings, Outtakes (2006)
• Australian Tour CD (2006) | |
| A live video of this song performed on John Whitney's WZBC radio show 26/06/06 can be viewed here... | |
| Original | Leonard Cohen - New Skin for the Old Ceremony (1974) |
| Leonard Cohen | Written By |
| CIRCUS WALTZ | |
| • 'four track vaults' mp3 (2005) |
| CLAIRAUDIENTS (KILL OR BE KILLED) | |
| • The 2007 CMG Fantasy Covers Podcast (2007)
• MySpace (2007) | |
| Original | Bright Eyes - Cassadaga (2007) |
| Conor Oberst | Written By |
| CLOWNE TOWNE | |
| • Xiu Xiu Remixed & Covered (2007) | |
| Original | Xiu Xiu - Fabulous Muscles (2004) |
| Jamie Stewart | Written By |
| COLORADO GIRL | |
| • mp3 (2009) | |
| Original | Townes Van Zandt - Townes Van Zandt (1969) |
| Townes Van Zandt | Written By |
| COMES, THE WINTER | |
| • Mountain Home (2007) | |
| Marissa provides vocals for the majority of Mountain Home's debut release, she is listed as 'anonymous' | |
| Joshua Blatchley and Kristen Sherer | Written By |
| CONJURING SPIRIT WORLDS | |
| • MySpace (2006)
• Ivy and the Clovers (2006) • Nonpop #1 (2007) | |
| Songs III outtake, one of the first songs to be heard from the Greg Weeks recording sessions | |
| Helena Espvall | Cello |
| Greg Weeks | Synth |
| Otto Hauser | Drums |
| CORTEZ THE KILLER | |
| • MySpace (2007)
• Songs III: Bonus EP (2007) live version | |
| Marissa was set to appear on a compilation called Cinnamon Girl, featuring women artists covering Neil Young songs on the record label American Laundromat - she did not appear on the final tracklist, but this song was recorded | |
| Original | Neil Young and Crazy Horse - Zuma (1975) |
| Neil Young | Written By |
| COWGIRL IN THE SAND | |
| • MySpace (2007) | |
| Original | Neil Young - Everybody Knows This is Nowhere (1969) |
| Neil Young | Written By |
| DAISY AND VIOLET | |
| • MySpace (2006)
• Ivy and the Clovers (2006) • Songs III: Bonus EP (2007) live version • The Carnivale (2007) never released | |
| This song tells the story of British sisters Violet and Daisy Hilton, who were born siamese twins - info here, and even touches on Joseph Merrick, The Elephant Man | |
| (Songs III: Bonus EP only) Danny Bensi | Cello |
| DAMSELS IN THE DARK | |
| • The Saga of Mayflower May (2005) | |
| Early title - 'Photographs' |
| DAYS OF RUM | |
| • Ballads of Living and Dying (demo) (2003)
• Ballads of Living and Dying (2004) | |
| Before it was officially released this song was recorded with Marissa playing a guitar instead of a banjo
A vastly different version can be heard here in her set for No Love for Ned. | |
| Marissa Nadler | Vocals, Banjo |
| DAYS OF THE DEAD | |
| • Four Track Recordings, Outtakes (2006)
• Australian Tour CDr (2006) | |
| Four track, California 2005 |
| DEAD WIVES CLUB | |
| • Leaves of Live (2009) | |
| A collaboration between Marissa Nadler and Black Hole Infinity for the compilation curated by Arborea | |
| Marissa Nadler | Written By, Vocals, Acoustic Guitar |
| Myles Baer | Recorded By, Mixed By, Produced By, Electric Guitar, Bass, Vocals, Hammond Organ |
| DIAMOND HEART | |
| • Diamond Heart / Leather Made Shoes 7" (2006)
• Songs III: Bird on the Water (2007) • Diamond Heart (2007) |
| DOLPHINS (live only) | |
| • BSR's Live Block (2004) | |
| The set can still be heard here |
| DOORSLAM | |
| • mp3 (2004)
• Ballads of Living and Dying - vinyl reissue (2009) |
| DUSTY BOOTS | |
| An early song, circa 2002, never officially released
I've actually guessed the title of this one, it might be called something completely different |
| DYING BREED | |
| • Songs III: Bird on the Water (2007)
• Diamond Heart (2007) | |
| Early title - 'Red is the Color' |
| EXPECTING TO FLY | |
| • MySpace (2007) | |
| 2 versions of this song are available, one with an extended outro | |
| Original | Buffalo Springfield - Buffalo Springfield Again (1967) |
| Neil Young | Written By |
| FAMOUS BLUE RAINCOAT | |
| • Folk Off (2007)
• Songs III: Bird on the Water (2007) | |
| An earlier, stripped down demo version of this song also exists | |
| Original | Leonard Cohen - Songs of Love and Hate (1971) |
| Leonard Cohen | Written By |
| FAREWELL ANGELINA | |
| Performed in live sets, never known to be recorded | |
| Original | Bob Dylan - The Bootleg Series Volumes 1–3 (1991) recorded 1965 |
| Bob Dylan | Written By |
| FAREWELL HEARTBREAK | |
| • MySpace (2006)
• Ivy and the Clovers (2006) • Songs in the Kiosk of Life Three (2007) | |
| This song has appeared under variations of 'Farewell Heartache' / 'Goodbye Heartbreak' |
| FEATHERS | |
| • Irene Trudel show, WFMU (2005) with the title 'Sarah'
• VPRO (2005) with the title 'Feathers While You Are Here' • Songs III: Bird on the Water (2007) |
| FIFTY FIVE FALLS | |
| • Ballads of Living and Dying (demo) (2003)
• Ballads of Living and Dying (2004) | |
| Marissa Nadler | Vocals, Acoustic Guitar |
| Myles Baer | Electric Guitar, Background Vocals |
| FLORA BARONE, QUEEN OF THE VAUDEVILLE THRONE | |
| • Comes with a Smile vol. 15: Gloved Hands in a Square (2005)
• Four Track Recordings, Outtakes (2006) recorded live for the BBC in 2005 • Australian Tour CDr (2006) recorded live for the BBC in 2005 | |
| All these recordings are the version performed live on BBC Radio 1's OneMusic show, Summer 2005
I do not know of a proper studio version | |
| Orion Rigel Dommisse | Synth, Harmony Vocals |
| FOR THE GOOD TIMES | |
| • MySpace (2008) | |
| Original | Kris Kristofferson - Kristofferson (1970) |
| Kris Kristofferson | Written By |
| HAY TANTOS MUERTOS | |
| • Ballads of Living and Dying (demo) (2003)
• Ballads of Living and Dying (2004) | |
| An interpretation of a Pablo Neruda poem | |
| Marissa Nadler | Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Organ |
| Pablo Neruda | Lyrics By |
| HEY, THAT'S NO WAY TO SAY GOODBYE | |
| • BSR's Live Block (2004) | |
| Original | Leonard Cohen - Songs of Leonard Cohen (1968) |
| Leonard Cohen | Written By |
| THE HOLE IS WIDE | |
| • The Gum Drop III (newsletter) (2007) titled 'The Whole is Wide', guitar version
• MySpace (2007) demo version • Little Hells (2009) |
| HONEY BEAR | |
| • Songs III: Bonus EP (2007) |
| HONEY OF THE BEE | |
| • MySpace (2007) |
| HORSES AND THEIR KIN | |
| • The Saga of Mayflower May (2005) | |
| early titles: 'Highway Song', 'Dream of Horses' |
| HYACINTH | |
| • RISD Musicians vol. I (2002) | |
| Was played on WFMU in 2006 with the title 'Blue #3', I have not found a copy of the RISD CDs, so I don't know if this was it's originally published title |
| IN THE TIME OF THE LORRY LOW | |
| • The Saga of Mayflower May (2005) | |
| Sometimes misspelled as 'In the Time of the Lonny Low' |
| I WAS YOUR LITTLE GIRL | |
| • MySpace (2007) |
| JEALOUS GUY | |
| • mp3 (2009) | |
| Original | John Lennon - Imagine (1971) |
| John Lennon | Written By |
| JUDGEMENT DAY | |
| • Ballads of Living and Dying (demo) (2003) titled 'Bed of Solid Stone'
• Four Track Recordings, Outtakes (2006) titled 'As I Lay in Death My Son' • Not Alone (2006) titled 'Judgement Day' |
| THE LAST THOUGHT ON WOODY GUTHRIE | |
| • MySpace (2007) | |
| An interpretation of a Bob Dylan poem - during this song there are also lines from Pablo Neruda and from Anne Sexton's 'Her Kind' |
| LEATHER MADE SHOES | |
| • Irene Trudel show, WFMU (2005) titled 'no name yet'
• Diamond Heart / Leather Made Shoes 7" (2006) • Songs III: Bird on the Water (2007) |
| LILY, HENRY, AND THE WILLOW TREES | |
| • The Saga of Mayflower May (2005)
• Gold Leaf Branches (2005) • Four Track Recordings, Outtakes (2006) alternate version |
| THE LITTLE FAMOUS SONG | |
| • The Saga of Mayflower May (2005)
• Four Track Recordings, Outtakes (2006) recorded live for the BBC in 2005 | |
| Nick Castro | Tin Whistle |
| (BBC live version only) Orion Rigel Dommisse | Synth, Harmony Vocals |
| LONESOME SUZIE | |
| • MySpace (2007) | |
| Original | Band - Music from Big Pink (1968) |
| Richard Manuel | Written By |
| LOVE SONG | |
| • mp3 (2009) |
| MAYFLOWER MAY | |
| • Ballads of Living and Dying (2004) | |
| Marissa Nadler | Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Organ |
| MEXICAN SUMMER | |
| • Songs III: Bird on the Water (2007) | |
| early title: 'Mexican Slumber' |
| MISTRESS | |
| • Myspace (2007)
• Little Hells (2009) | |
| alternate titles: 'Mistress on a Sunday', 'Mistress on a Sunny Day' |
| MR. JOHN LEE (VELVETEEN ROSE) | |
| • The Saga of Mayflower May (2005)
• New Skin For The Old Ceremony (2005) titled 'Ms. John Lee' | |
| early title: 'Velveteen Rose' |
| MY LITTLE LARK | |
| • The Saga of Mayflower May (2005) | |
| Brian McTear | Hammond Organ |
| MY LOVE AND I | |
| • Talitres is 5 (2006) titled 'Your Dreary Days Are Dead'
• Songs III: Bird On The Water (2007) | |
| Marissa Nadler | Guitar, Vocals |
| Orion Rigel Dommisse | Synth |
| Greg Weeks | Organ |
| NO SURPRISES | |
| • OKX: A Tribute to OK Computer (2007) | |
| Recorded for Stereogum's tribute to 10 years of Radiohead's now legendary 1997 album, OK Computer | |
| Original | Radiohead - OK Computer (1997) |
| Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Phil Selway, Ed O'Brien, Colin Greenwood | Written By |
| Black Hole Infinity (Myles Baer) | Featuring |
| OLD LOVE HAUNTS ME IN THE MORNING | |
| • The Saga of Mayflower May (2005) |
| OMIE WISE | |
| • Mountain Home (2007) | |
| Marissa provides vocals for the majority of Mountain Home's debut release, she is listed as 'anonymous' | |
| Joshua Blatchley | Traditional, arr. by |
| OUR MOTHER THE MOUNTAIN | |
| • mp3 (2009) | |
| Original | Townes Van Zandt - Our Mother the Mountain (1969) |
| Townes Van Zandt | Written By |
| PRINCESS OF THE ISLANDS | |
| • Irene Trudel show, WFMU (2004) | |
| Performed as a live duet with Nick Castro | |
| Original | Shide & Acorn - Princess of the Island (1970) |
| Written By | |
| Nick Castro | Guitar, Vocals |
| RACHEL | |
| • Songs III: Bird on the Water (2007) |
| RUNAWAY | |
| • MySpace (2007) | |
| This song has also been covered by artists such as The Small Faces and the Misfits | |
| Original | Del Shannon - single (1961) |
| Del Shannon and Max Crook | Written By |
| SALANGADOU | |
| • MySpace (2008) | |
| Not exactly a cover, this song is inspired by the guitar picking of Robbie Basho | |
| Original | Robbie Basho - Basho Sings! (1967) |
| Robbie Basho | Written By |
| SALUTATIONS IN THE DARK | |
| • MySpace (2006)
• Ivy and the Clovers (2006) |
| SILVER SUMMERS | |
| • Ivy and the Clovers (2006)
• MySpace (2007) |
| SILVIA | |
| • MySpace (2006)
• Songs III: Bird on the Water (2007) |
| SO LONG THERESA | |
| • mp3 (2008) | |
| Dave Godowsky | Written By |
| Marissa Nadler | Recorded By |
| THE SOUND OF WAR | |
| • MySpace Black Hole Infinity (2007)
• MySpace Marissa Nadler (2008) | |
| A song by Black Hole Infinity (aka Myles Baer) Marissa's long time collaborator, with Marissa on vocals |
| THE SPARROW | |
| • Mountain Home (2007) | |
| Marissa provides vocals for the majority of Mountain Home's debut release, she is listed as 'anonymous' | |
| Joshua Blatchley and Kristen Sherer | Written by |
| SPACE OUT FOOLING AROUND | |
| • MySpace (2007) |
| STALLIONS | |
| • Ballads of Living and Dying (2004) | |
| Marissa Nadler | Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Keyboard |
| STRANGE | |
| • Four Track Recordings, Outtakes (2006) recorded live for the BBC in 2005
• Australian Tour CD (2006) recorded live for the BBC in 2005 | |
| Original | Patsy CLine - single (1962) |
| Mel Tillis and Fred Burch | Written By |
| SUMMER OF LOVE IS OVER | |
| • MySpace (2006) titled 'Summer of Love'
• Ivy and the Clovers (2006) |
| SUZANNE | |
| • MySpace (2008) | |
| Performed in live sets, never known to be recorded | |
| Original | Leonard Cohen - Songs Of Leonard Cohen (1967) |
| Leonard Cohen | Written By |
| TECUMSEH VALLEY | |
| • MySpace (2008) | |
| Performed in live sets, never known to be recorded | |
| Original | Townes van Zandt - For the Sake of the Song (1968) |
| Townes van Zandt | Written By |
| THINKING OF YOU | |
| • Irene Trudel show, WFMU (2005)
• Songs III: Bird on the Water (2007) |
| TROUBLE | |
| • MySpace (2007) | |
| Original | Cat Stevens - Mona Bone Jakon (1970) |
| Cat Stevens | Written By |
| UNDER AN OLD UMBRELLA | |
| • The Saga of Mayflower May (2005) | |
| Early titles - 'Torquoise', 'Skies of Azure'
In the lyric sheets, the colour turquoise is spelt with an 'O' in place of the usual 'U' |
| UNDERTAKER | |
| • Ballads of Living and Dying (2004) |
| VIRGINIA | |
| • Ballads of Living and Dying (2004) | |
| Marissa Nadler | Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Keyboard |
| WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW | |
| • mp3 (2009) | |
| Original | Carole King - Tapestry (1971) |
| Gerry Goffin & Carole King | Written By |
| YELLOW LIGHTS | |
| • The Saga of Mayflower May (2005) | |
| Brian McTear | Hammond Organ |
| YOUR HEART IS A TWISTED VINE | |
| • MySpace (2007) |
| YOU'RE GONNA MAKE ME LONESOME WHEN YOU GO | |
| • mp3 (2009) | |
| Original | Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks (1975) |
| Bob Dylan | Written By |