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A Mind of Your Own

by The Bright Siders

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    Standard weight and standard color vinyl LP in slip sleeve jacket with liner notes insert. [Note that the photo is a mock-up image]. All US orders will be shipped USPS media mail.

    Includes unlimited streaming of 'A Mind of Your Own' via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Includes unlimited streaming of A Mind of Your Own via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 10 days
    Purchasable with gift card

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1.
Welcome to a song about songs Well, A song is a story somebody made up Or a song is a story that's realer than real What makes a song a song is that you sing it Hey you (Yes, you!) I'm gonna sing you a song You know I'd really love it if you came and sang along Songs about emotions and growing up strong I wanna hear you sing, come on and bring it I find my song inside my heart all along I sing to say I'm feeling happy I sing to be more understood I sing to say I really love someone And sometimes I sing just cuz singing feels good I love makin' music, that's what I do I love singing with people, in particular you So don't you ever worry about singing it wrong We're in this together, and I get it (That's right!) You got every kind of feeling right there inside So sing it in the rain, or keep it on the brighter side Sing about the world, and whatever you see A song will change the world if you let it I find my song inside my heart all along I sing to say I'm feeling thankful I sing to say I'm feeling sad I sing to say I was afraid of the dark And sometimes I sing cuz it makes me feel glad. So why write a song, why create such a thing? When you could just speak what you're trying to sing Did we get it from the waves, the rhythm of the sea This idea that we can put our feelings to a beat? Did we get it from the birds? They're nature's own choir. Singing songs in the morning and songs of desire. When words aren't enough express your feelings, Sing me to a tune and feel your heart healing. We sing to say we're open minded. We sing to wake the neighborhood. We sing to celebrate the moon and the stars. And sometimes we sing just cuz singing feels good And sometimes we sing just cuz singing feels good And sometimes we sing just cuz singing feels good
2.
3.
Ever have a day when nothing goes your way? Wake up mad with nothing good to say? Mom says "Do your homework, and turn off that game!" And everything around you seems boring and lame You're not really sure why you feel this way It just seemed to start at the break of day You know getting mad isn't good for you So you start to think about things you can do You take deep breaths and let them out slow In and out, let that anger go Listen to some music, take a nice long walk Find someone you love and take the time to talk My game has reached the highest level yet Ten more minutes and I'd be set Then Dad comes by and shuts off the screen Why is he acting so strict and mean? You're not really sure why you feel this way It just seemed to start at the break of day You know getting mad isn't good for you So you start to think about things you can do I'm supposed to brush my teeth, I'm supposed to make my bed And the garbage goes out when the dog's been fed My room is a mess. It never looks clean! But Mom says "Tidy up!" Now she sounds mean! You're not really sure why you feel this way It just seemed to start at the break of day You know getting mad isn't good for you So you start to think about things you can do Just because you're mad doesn't mean you're bad People can be angry especially when they're sad Taking deep breaths can help you find new ways to Chase those morning blues away I'm not really sure why I feel this way It just seemed to start at the break of day They say getting mad isn't good for you So I start to think about things I can do I take deep breaths and let them out slow In and out, let that anger go Listen to some music, take a nice long walk Find someone I love and take the time to talk You're not really sure why you feel this way It just seemed to start at the break of day You know getting mad isn't good for you So now you know some things you can do!
4.
Feeling sad, sad and blue You may feel that no one loves you Feeling bad, everything you do Turns out wrong, there's nothing new But there are things, things you can do To chase away those lonely blues And when you feel so undone Do something you think is fun So I pick up my fiddle and I play a pretty tune Go outside and holler at the moon I dance in the sun and sing a happy song Picnic in the park with a friend along Lay in the grass, look at the sky Find a silver lining in the clouds rolling by Call a good friend, lend a helping hand Write a new song to play with the band Sad is not forever It goes away, it goes away Without the rain, the rain in April, There would be no flowers in May So I find a deck of cards and I learn a new game Pick a bunch of flowers and make a daisy chain I sit in the sun and I read my favorite book Go and ask my grandma to show me how to cook Lay in the grass, look at the sky Find a silver lining in the clouds rolling by Call a good friend, lend a helping hand Instead of what I can't do, think of what I can! Sad is not forever It goes away, it goes away Without the rain, the rain in April, There would be no flowers in May
5.
6.
I left my home for a brand new place Tried to put on a happy face Leaving everything I knew Couldn't believe that I had to move Saying farewell felt so sad I missed my friends and the crew we had Hot summer nights and hanging outside Never got lost on a long bike ride One step, two step, three step, four I love you forever more Five six seven, eight nine ten Keeping the old but making new friends I started all over at a brand new school Met new kids, learned all their rules It's hard to be the new kid in town At first the move just brought me down One step, two step, three step, four I love you forever more Five six seven, eight nine ten Keeping the old but making new friends One, two, three and four I'll love you forever more Five six seven, eight nine ten Oh, let me hear that fiddle again! As time went by, day by day I thought of home in a different way I'll never forget those good old times Loving the people I left behind It took some courage to make new friends But in time my heart was mended Loving this home and the old one too You can love two places, this is true! One step, two step, three step, four I love you forever more Five six seven, eight nine ten Keeping the old but making new friends One, two, three and four I'll love you forever more Five six seven, eight nine ten I could sing this again and again.
7.
Is that kid being mean to you? Is that why you are feeling blue? It's nothing that you did or didn't do It's not what you look like, too If they're all standing in a bunch Maybe at school in the yard at lunch Every snicker feels like a punch Every whisper, you hear your heart crunch You are cool just the way you are Be yourself, the coolest thing by far No one else out there can be you It's true my friend, you do you You think, is it my glasses or my hair? Wishing that you didn't care It's not about the clothes that you wear It's about how you feel in there It's ok to sometimes feel down I get it, you feel left out But know that this is so true Only matters is what you think of you You are cool just the way you are Be yourself, the coolest thing by far No one else out there can be you It's true my friend, you do you If you are you, and I am me Everybody else can feel free To be exactly who they want to be So you do you and I'll do me You are cool just the way you are Be yourself, the coolest thing by far No one else out there can be you It's true my friend, you do you You are cool just the way you are Be yourself, the coolest thing by far No one else out there can be you It's true my friend, you do you
8.
9.
I want to know what you call a seesaw, where we take turns going up and down. In Spanish we call it "sube y baja". Sube y baja. See saw. Vamos a Jugar. Could I interest you in a game of freeze tag? My mom encourages it 'cuz it wears me out. I love freeze tag, we call it "tenta". Tenta! Freeze tag! Vamos a jugar. Fun that we come from different places and we love to play the same games. You should really try my mama's tamales, promise you you'll never be the same. Quieres jugar en los colúmpios? What do you call it? Como es en inglés? I think you're talking about the swing set. Swing set! Colúmpio! Vamos a jugar. What do you call a slide in Spanish and what do you call the monkey bars? Resbaladero y las barras. Res voll uh derroh? No! Learn to roll your "R"s. Fun that we come from different places and we love to play the same games A brand-new friend and a brand-new language Now we have two words for the same thing Now we have two words for the same thing Now we have two words for the same thing
10.
11.
It ain't easy for the kids these days Life gets sort of crazy like a great big maze So if you get discouraged when things get rough Remember you have courage and that you're tough Cuz you're jumping through hoops, hanging on for the ride It might get sort of bumpy but you'll come out the other side Jumping through hoops, hanging on for the ride It might get sort of bumpy but you'll come out the other side You know your feelings are important and true Sometimes you're mad and sometimes you're blue. When things are going well you may feel glad When things fall apart, it's okay to feel sad. Cuz you're jumping through hoops, hanging on for the ride It might get sort of bumpy but you'll come out the other side Jumping through hoops, hanging on for the ride It might get sort of bumpy but you'll come out the other side Worrying about things can be such a struggle Worries stick around and put you in a muddle. But worries don't change what was said and done, And it seems real clear, worries take away the fun Cuz you're jumping through hoops, hanging on for the ride It might get sort of bumpy but you'll come out the other side Jumping through hoops, hanging on for the ride It might get sort of bumpy but you'll come out the other side Relaxing and breathing can help you deal With worries and sadness and emotions you feel. Respect your feelings and see that they're there Let them come out to someone who'll care. Cuz you're jumping through hoops, hanging on for the ride It might get sort of bumpy but you'll come out the other side Jumping through hoops, hanging on for the ride It might get sort of bumpy but you'll come out the other side
12.
13.
Oops! I made a mistake (Oh, man...) Oops! I made a mistake (I can't believe it!) I can't get it out of my mind No, I just can't leave this oops behind Keeps on causing me grief and pain Cuz it's stuck right there in my brain No, I can't get it out of my brain. Oops! I made a mistake (What was I thinking?!) Oops! I made a mistake (I'm so embarassed) People say that it's nothing great On a scale of ten it doesn't even rate But this thought keeps causing me grief and pain Cuz it's stuck right there in my brain No, I can't get it out of my brain. Oops! I made a mistake (Uh oh) Oops! I made a mistake (Oh oh oh nooooo) Why am I so hard on myself? Why can't I put this thought on a shelf? But it keeps on causing me grief and pain Cuz it's stuck right there in my brain No, I can't get it out of my brain Stuck, stuck, it's really really stuck Stuck, stuck, it's really really stuck Stuck, stuck, it's really really stuck Stuck, stuck, it's really really stuuuuuckk! I finally figured out it's no big deal I'll forgive myself and my mind will heal I'll stop feeling such grief and pain Cuz I finally got it out of my brain Free of the oops, getting rid of the pain, Scooped that oops right out of my brain Oh, scooped that oops right out of my brain Oops! I made a mistake (It's not so bad) Oops! I made a mistake (Everybody makes mistakes) Finally got it out of my mind Finally left this oops behind No more causing me grief and pain Cuz I got it out of my brain Oh, scooped that oops right out of my brain Oh, scooped that oops right out of my brain Ohhhh! Oops?! (It's okay) Scooped that oops right out of my brain.
14.
15.
There was a time I was afraid of the dark I'd scare the shadows away by turning on the light One day a shadow said Hey, I'm just a friend of the sun And the sun sent me here to help you sleep through the night The moon and the stars and me We're watching over the world, but just till the sun comes back The moon and the stars and me We know the colors are sleeping, that's why they look like that Oh yeah, the colors are sleeping and so are your shoes And all your t-shirts are sleeping reds, yellows and blues And all the birds are curled up in their nests in the trees And when the shadows lie down, so will that dog at your feet The moon and the stars and me We're watching over the world, but just till the sun comes back The moon and the stars and me We know the colors are sleeping, that's why they look like that The moon and the stars and me We're watching over the world, but just till the sun comes back The moon and the stars and me We know the colors are sleeping, that's why they look like that In the morning the sun gives a stretch and a yawn And all the colors are brighter, having slept until dawn I told the shadows they could come back every day So they sleep in my closet til the sun and me are too tired to play The moon and the stars and me We're watching over the world, but just till the sun comes back The moon and the stars and me We know the colors are sleeping, that's why they look like that The moon and the stars and me We're watching over the world, but just till the sun comes back The moon and the stars and me We know the colors are sleeping, that's why they look like that
16.
17.
Hey you, bully! I'm not your walking mat Bully this and bully that But don't bully me, I'm not your walking mat Bully this and bully that But hey you bully! I'm not your walking mat You can call me names and steal my lunch money You can sit around and laugh but it's really not that funny Cuz bullies aren't brave and bullies aren't cool At the end of the day a bully looks like a fool Bully this and bully that But don't bully me, I'm not your walking mat Bully this and bully that But hey you bully! I'm not your walking mat It's hard to stand up to a bully at school A bully has no courage and he acts very cruel The best thing to do is look the other way You don't need to give a bully your time of day I don't hear you, I don't see you I don't run. Baby, I don't fight I don't mind you, I just wanna get to Wherever you're out of my sight I don't hear you, don't see you, Don't run, don't fight I don't mind you but I'll get you out of my sight I'm not gonna let you wreck my day Whatever dude, I just walk away Just remember you're the kid in charge, Even though that bully seems scary and large One day that bully will wake up and know That being kind to others is the only way to go Bully this and bully that But don't bully me, I'm not your walking mat Bully this and bully that But hey you bully! I'm not your walking mat Hey you bully, Hey you bully, Hey you bully! I'm not your walking mat
18.
19.
I sing to say I'm feeling joyful I sing to say I'm feeling free I sing to say I've got a mind of my own And sometimes I sing just cuz singing feels good It's been a joy sharing this music with you The Bright Siders want you to remember We're all in this life together And we have a chance to create an amazing story for ourselves Even though that story is bound to include some tough times Learn, find inspiration, believe in yourself And live a life of kindness towards yourself and others Having a mind of your own is a gift It means that you are free to be The person you really want to be. Oh, I feel good (Yeah!)

about

'A Mind of Your Own' is the debut release from The Bright Siders, the duo of acclaimed songwriter and musician Kristin Andreassen and NYC child psychiatrist Kari Groff, MD. Brimming with uplifting and empowering songs, the album invites its listeners to think deeply on feelings and emotions that come with growing up, while focusing on resilience and mindset. Along with a slew of all-star guests including Ed Helms, The War and Treaty, Oh Pep!, The Hokes (a.k.a. Punch Brothers), Gaby Moreno, and more, The Bright Siders bring profound sensitivity and vivacity to songs about friendship, bullying, anger, acceptance of others, and coping with sadness and change. This music is sure to spark meaningful conversations and bring families closer as they explore the beauty and complexity of their emotional lives together.

credits

released January 22, 2021

The Bright Siders help kids and families have meaningful conversations about emotions.

Created and written by Kari Groff, MD & Kristin Andreassen
Music produced by Kristin Andreassen & Chris Eldridge

TRACKS 1, 2, 14, 15, 18 & 19: recorded at Blackbird Studios (Nashville, TN) by Gus Perkins with David Fitzgibbons and Brennan Pollack. Additional recording by Owen Biddle, Chris Eldridge, David Moore, and Rachael Moore.
TRACKS 3, 5, 8 & 16: recorded at Argosy Sound (Nashville, TN) by Chris Eldridge. Additional recording by Will Croxton,
John Davis, Aaron Nevezie, Andrew Ryan, and Lawson White.
TRACKS 4, 6, 11, 12, 13 & 17: recorded at The Bunker (Brooklyn, NY) by John Davis and Aaron Nevezie. Additional recording by Will Croxton,
Chris Eldridge, Scott Kettner, Dan Knobler, and Lawson White.
TRACK 7: recorded in Melbourne, Australia, by Isaac Barter
TRACK 9: recorded in Los Angeles, CA, by Sebastian Aymanns
TRACK 10: recorded at Soap Box Studio (Brooklyn, NY) by Scott Kettner. Additional recording by John Davis, Matthew Hall, and Aaron Nevezie.

Mixed by Juan-Pablo Berreondo at JPB Records (Los Angeles, CA)
Mastered by David Glasser at Airshow Mastering (Boulder, CO)
Track annotations by Kari Groff, Kristin Andreassen, and Chris Eldridge

Original illustrations by Danica Novgorodoff
Photo by Jefry Andres Wright
Smithsonian Folkways executive producers: John Smith and Huib Schippers
Production managers: Logan Clark and Mary Monseur
Editorial assistance by Carla Borden
Art direction, design, and layout by Caroline Gut
The Bright Siders are managed by Noelle Panepento, Noelle.panepento@gmail.com.

The War and Treaty appear courtesy of Rounder Records.
Oh Pep! appear courtesy of ATO Records.
Gaby Moreno appears courtesy of Metamorfosis Enterprises Inc. Punch Brothers appear courtesy of Nonesuch Records.

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The Bright Siders Brooklyn, New York

✨ Created by award-winning songwriter Kristin Andreassen & Kari Groff, MD. ✨

Helping kids & families have meaningful conversations about emotions.

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