Joshua James is an American singer-songwriter currently based out of Americ… Read Full Bio ↴Joshua James is an American singer-songwriter currently based out of American Fork, Utah and Lincoln, Nebraska.

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.”

So Did I
Joshua James Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Just the power of indecision,
You're riddled with shame.
If you leave your home number I will send you the blame.
The teeth in the cupboard ward away all bad luck,
Deep within Willamette Mountain.

A sheepskin for winter,
And a tin can for rain.

I could cut you fresh ginger if you say that you're staying.
I got a million more stories, and only half aren't true,
Here inside Willamette Mountain.

Well, I am not real, for you I feel,
For you I feel when the morning comes.
I am not real, for you I feel,
For you I feel when the morning comes.

Please be cautious, my loved one,
The collar round your neck might not lead you to water,
But to prison instead.
You have four paths to choose from,
And only three will confuse.
The last leads to Willamette Mountain.

Well, I am not real, for you I feel,
For you I feel when the morning comes.
I am not real, for you I feel,
For you I feel when the morning comes.

Hurry and write down your feelings,
Hesitation means death.
Pickle all of your wrinklings,
Bottle every last breath for your mind will betray you,
And say your memory is false,
Underneath the sheets in Willamette Mountain.

Conjure all of your demons,
Try and make peace with the pain,
To ignore and neglect will make you bitter and stained.
You're a creature of comfort,
Your body gives way,
To the spirits in Willamette Mountain.

Well, I am not real, for you I feel,
For you I feel when the morning comes.
I am not real, for you I feel,

For you I feel when the morning comes.
For you I feel when the morning comes.

Overall Meaning

The song "So Did I" by Joshua James explores themes of indecision, shame, and the importance of confronting one's demons. The opening lines mention how the power of indecision can be paralyzing, leading to feelings of shame. The singer offers to take the blame for the person's decision if they leave their home number, indicating a willingness to help and support them.

The second verse continues with images of survival in tough conditions, offering fresh ginger and a sheepskin for warmth. However, the singer also admits that only half of the stories they tell are true, indicating a sense of secrecy or mystery surrounding their life in Willamette Mountain.

The chorus repeats the idea that the singer is not real, but they feel for the person they are addressing, especially in the morning when emotions may be heightened. The bridge offers a warning to be cautious in making choices, as some paths may lead to negative consequences, such as prison or confusion. The final verse urges the listener to confront their demons and make peace with pain, rather than ignoring it and becoming bitter.

Overall, the song is a complex exploration of emotions and the importance of confronting difficult decisions and experiences in order to move forward and find peace.

Line by Line Meaning

Just the power of indecision,
This is simply the feeling of being unable to make a decision.

You're riddled with shame.
You feel guilty and exposed.

If you leave your home number I will send you the blame.
If you leave your contact information, I will hold you responsible for everything that goes wrong.

The teeth in the cupboard ward away all bad luck, Deep within Willamette Mountain.
There is a superstition that keeping teeth in the cupboard will keep misfortune away. This song takes place in the area surrounding Willamette Mountain.

A sheepskin for winter, And a tin can for rain.
These are simple items to protect you from the cold and rain.

I could cut you fresh ginger if you say that you're staying.
I will do what I can to make you comfortable if you decide to stay.

I got a million more stories, and only half aren't true, Here inside Willamette Mountain.
There are many stories to be told in this area, and some of them may not be entirely factual.

Please be cautious, my loved one, The collar round your neck might not lead you to water, But to prison instead.
Be careful who you trust, as they may lead you into trouble instead of safety.

You have four paths to choose from, And only three will confuse. The last leads to Willamette Mountain.
There are several choices in front of you, but only one will lead you to your destination of Willamette Mountain.

Hurry and write down your feelings, Hesitation means death.
Don't hesitate to express your feelings, as every moment is precious and could be your last.

Pickle all of your wrinklings, Bottle every last breath for your mind will betray you, And say your memory is false, Underneath the sheets in Willamette Mountain.
Preserve your memories and experiences, as they are precious and you may not always be able to trust your own mind.

Conjure all of your demons, Try and make peace with the pain, To ignore and neglect will make you bitter and stained.
Face your inner demons and try to find healing, as ignoring or neglecting them will only make things worse.

You're a creature of comfort, Your body gives way, To the spirits in Willamette Mountain.
You are accustomed to comfort and ease, but in the area around Willamette Mountain, the spirits hold sway.

Well, I am not real, for you I feel, For you I feel when the morning comes.
This line is repeated several times and seems to reflect the idea that the singer is not emotionally present, but still feels for the listener, especially when morning comes.

Writer(s): Joshua James

Contributed by Benjamin T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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