2025 Competition Entry:

I Didn’t Want To Write A Song by Josh

Genre

Folk

Artist

Co-writer(s)

no

Performer(s)

Description

I didn’t want to write a song, but when I met my (now) wife I was compelled :)

Bio

Josh Rifkin’s latest album Lancaster Road delivers introspection in a range of stories and sounds, dressing its singer-songwriter spirit in shades of soft rock and blue-eyed soul. The title track recalls a hometown drive with his father, whose passing inspired the album’s thoughtful perspective.
For Rifkin, music is a way to honor the past and take in the present, all while moving forward. With a history that includes being signed to Island Records as frontman of San Francisco-based Mumblin Jim (and opening for acts including Cake, Violent Femmes, and Train) as well as solo works featured on hit television shows including The Mindy Project, Parenthood and Friday Night Lights, the Philadelphia native’s well-traveled experience as a musician and live performer brings a sense of emotional immediacy to his songs.
The project itself was a journey, produced by Grammy-winner Leonardo Marques and recorded in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. A host of top South American musicians add their talents to the album’s power and polish, as do the vocal textures of guest performers Jennifer Souza, Niki J Crawford, Miranda Lee Richards, Annie Little, Bart Davenport, and Adam Elk (Mommyheads).

Lyrics

I didn’t want to write a song
I didn’t want to but then you came along
And a tune it sprung from me
Like a flower, like a melody
But I didn’t want to write a song

I didn’t want to write the words
I was afraid there was no line you hadn’t heard
And if it’s all been said before
Then I’d be a fool to be one more
So I didn’t want to write the words

Oh my Jenny, there’s so many dreams to share
When you’re near me, I can hear sweet music everywhere
Everywhere…

I didn’t want to fall for you
I thought my days of loving someone else were through
But you came and rescued me
Now there’s no way to fight this gravity
But I didn’t want to fall for you

I didn’t want to write the word
But the way I feel inside is so so strong
That I just had to write a song

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