On his second album, Build Me This, the follow-up to his critically acclaimed The Sun is Always Brighter, produced by industry veteran Shannon Edgar, James expands his musical palette to foreboding doom-laden hard rock. Progressing from folkish harmonies, to country twang, world beats and southern home rock while further exploring themes of spiritual searching and heartbreaking loss. Possessing a whispery and intimate vocal style that works its way into the ear peacefully and directly, Joshua James is pitched midway between seminal influences like Bob Dylan and Neil Young.
“I find solace and beauty in darkness and depression,” admits James, who grew up in his native Lincoln, Nebraska, skateboarding and sneaking listens to music his parents banned, like classic rockers Jim Morrison and The Doors, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd, “But there are contrasts to everything. You have to combine the sweet and salty, the ugly and beautiful. Music is very therapeutic for me. It’s all about making a connection with humanity, with the audience, in ways that I normally wouldn’t be able to.”
Over the past three years, James has been doing just that. His debut was the #1 Folk Album on iTunes, and “FM Radio,” a song about a childhood friend coping with the death of his father, amassed more than 150,000 downloads as part of an iTunes promotion. In addition to performances at Sundance, SXSW and CMJ, James has toured with John Mayer, David Gray and Ani DiFranco, winning legions of fans along the way. His new album, Build Me This, has already attracted major–label interest. “I feel strongly about the things I sing about,” nods Joshua. “I want people to know how I feel, which sounds kind of dumb, because who cares how I feel? If someone feels similarly, though, that’s what I’m looking for. That’s the most important thing. If
you can relate to what I’m going through, then I’ve achieved my goal.”
The album title, Build Me This, refers to his dream of salvation. “It’s my way of asking God to show himself,” declares James. “To prove he exists. Do something. Give me a sign. It’s a call to whatever or whoever is out there. I don’t want him to strike me down or paralyze me, just give me something to believe.”
Aside from the spiritual, Build Me This is also about the difficulties of everyday relationships, the inadvertent hurt we cause to those we love. “Magazine” deals with the pain of separation (“Go take your bags to New York City, call me when your plane arrives/I’ll feed the children, wash the dishes, I’ll keep the house lookin’ nice/Well don’t you worry, everything’s gonna be all right.”), while “In the Middle” laments a shattered romance (“You’ve tried so hard to forget me/You burnt the letters I’d made/Though my memory has been dyin’/I hope the feeling still remains”).
On the stage, though, is where Joshua James’ music comes alive and reveals its true intent, which is about drawing people into his insular universe, a sense of mystic that only the truly great ones can communicate.
“Perhaps the darkness comes out a little more often that I’d like,” he offers “but that’s just where I gravitate to when I’m writing. I don’t usually try to tackle specific subjects; it’s usually about what I’m feeling at the time. Things start to come out, then they form a story and a reason, and that’s how things evolve. I’m influenced by everything… by life, by love, by hate, by music.”
Doctor Oh Doctor
Joshua James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the nights to remember getting harder to find
And more words serve confusion to each corner of my mind
So baby call me up when you get some time.
Oh and my dearest Emma, Please have patience with me sweet
I know the road it seems forever, but in time our hearts will meet
And we'll dance across the crystal floor, into our love retreat.
So i'll stay with you until the mornin
When the golden sun shaves the moon.
And when the black disease eats away both you and me
Oh baby, In gunna live and die right next to you.
Now mother, my companion
please remember what I said
I know my words, they might confuse you
floating up inside your head.
And though you paint your house bright blueand I paint my house red
There's always middle ground on which to stand.
Now father, my protector
please watch over and keep me safe
and if you get discouraged about the son you have raised.
Don't you dwell on the past of your life's revolvin stage
The love that you've taught will forever in my heart remain.
So i'll pray with you until the Lord comes
The golden priest honesty
And when the day arrives that the angels take your life
if there is a heaven will you send me down a sign?
If there is a heaven I will meet you on the other side.
Oh
"Doctor Oh Doctor" by Joshua James is a slow, thoughtful ballad addressing several different people in the singer's life: the doctor, his lover Emma, his mother, and his father. Each verse contains a specific message to the person addressed. The first verse asks the doctor to bring the singer his wine, as he reflects on how difficult it is to find memorable nights anymore. The second verse is a love letter to Emma, acknowledging how difficult the road may be, but reassuring her that their love will pull them through. The third verse addresses the singer's mother, reminding her that there is always middle ground, even if their opinions may differ. The final verse is addressed to the singer's father, acknowledging his guidance and protection, while also reminding him that the love he taught will always be with the singer.
The main theme of the song seems to be reflection and gratitude for the different people and experiences that have shaped the singer's life. While the lyrics are melancholic at times, they are also laced with a quiet hopefulness and faith that things will work out in the end. Joshua James' vocals are restrained, allowing the lyrics to take center stage and convey their emotional weight.
Line by Line Meaning
Doctor, Oh Doctor please bring me my wine
I need a drink to help forget the confusing thoughts in my mind, so I'm asking the doctor for some wine.
All the nights to remember getting harder to find
It's becoming more difficult to remember the good times in my life.
And more words serve confusion to each corner of my mind
My mind is filled with confusion and I can't seem to make sense of my thoughts.
So baby call me up when you get some time.
I'm asking my loved one to give me a call when they have a chance to talk.
Oh and my dearest Emma, Please have patience with me sweet
I'm asking my love, Emma, to be patient with me as we continue on our journey together.
I know the road it seems forever, but in time our hearts will meet
Although it may seem like a long journey, our hearts will eventually come together.
And we'll dance across the crystal floor, into our love retreat.
We will celebrate our love by dancing on a crystal floor in our own special place.
There's nothin in the world that could ever mean more to me.
Nothing is more important to me than our love and relationship.
So i'll stay with you until the mornin
I will stay with you through the night.
When the golden sun shaves the moon.
I'll be with you until the early morning when the sun rises.
And when the black disease eats away both you and me
Even if we are faced with tough challenges in life or illness, I will always be by your side.
Oh baby, In gunna live and die right next to you.
I will be with you through everything, both in life and in death.
Now mother, my companion
Addressing my mother, who has been my companion and support throughout my life.
please remember what I said
I hope you remember the advice and words of wisdom I have shared with you.
I know my words, they might confuse you
My words may be confusing or hard to understand, but I hope you can see my point of view.
floating up inside your head.
My words may seem like they're floating around in your head.
And though you paint your house bright blue and I paint my house red
We may have different preferences and tastes, but we can always find common ground.
There's always middle ground on which to stand.
It's possible to find a compromise or middle ground on any issue or situation.
Now father, my protector
Addressing my father, who has been my protector and guide in life.
please watch over and keep me safe
I'm asking my father to continue to watch over and protect me.
and if you get discouraged about the son you have raised.
If you ever feel down or discouraged about me or the decisions I've made.
Don't you dwell on the past of your life's revolvin stage
Don't let the past weigh you down or define you. Keep moving forward.
The love that you've taught will forever in my heart remain.
The love and lessons you have taught me will always be with me in my heart.
So i'll pray with you until the Lord comes
I'll pray with you until the end of your life.
The golden priest honesty
Referring to the honesty and purity of the priest and their guidance.
And when the day arrives that the angels take your life
When you pass away and are taken by the angels.
if there is a heaven will you send me down a sign?
If there is an afterlife or heaven, will you let me know in some way.
If there is a heaven I will meet you on the other side.
If there is an afterlife or heaven, I'll see you there once we both pass away.
Contributed by Noah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rcaseybouch
This wasn't the song I was searching for, but you, sir, have a good voice.