Shade Garden - Don't Abandon Me (exclusive premiere)

Around 2007, I began listening to, and then filming my brother Jeremy (the sole force behind the experimental pop project Shade Garden) learn music. Sixteen years my junior, with a band of brethren and a revolving, evolving armada of sometimes-functioning instruments, these pre-teens formed a band.

Fast forward through multiple albums, shows around the country, uncountable listens. His unquenchable hunger to share his gently soaring voice and experimental pop melodies with the masses, and to keep making music because, because, because inspired me then. And inspired me now. The gigantic heart thumping within that ramrod frame is beating a rhythm, a restless rhythm and irrepressible creativity that’s gotta get out. To an audience of one, to an audience of a billion.

It is my great honor to share this song with you for the first time. Listen to it one time, or a hundred and one.

I think it’s beautiful, and suspect you will too.

Love y’all.

— Joseph

LYRICS
Don’t Abandon Me
Written by Jeremy Long

V1: I am gonna leave for a while
I won’t say goodbye
I am gonna find myself
I won’t give a reason why

Pre: You don’t have a right to
Give up on me (2x)

Ch: I, I do what I like, I go where I want
Don’t abandon me
I, I get what I need, I take what I want
Don’t abandon me

V2: I can’t have you in my world
If you’re gonna be my world
Why is it all or nothing
Why is it me you hurt?

Pre: Same

Ch: Same Redo

Br: I know I’m selfish, not misunderstood
You have every reason to go
But please stick with me through the bad and the good
And give me a flicker of home

Ch: (2x) Redo

Recorded, Mixed, & Mastered by J.M. Long
at Library Sound Recording in Portland, Oregon
Lead electric guitar overdubbed by Adam Black
Mastered by Stephen Pettyjohn at Ethereal Mastering

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