ABOUT THE SONG
This song was actually written in the late summer of 2008 and I guess you can say it’s about a summer fling gone bad. The catch is that the fling is with someone that was originally just a friend, so in the bridge when I say “I know I shouldn’t feel regret, but I do”,  it is meaning that normally I wouldn’t regret just the fling itself, but I do in this case because I have lost that friendship as a result. Someone who once called you all the time to hang out, or confided in you about other people, now shuts off all communication to you. So this song depicts that frustration for me. The whole song is barred so it gives the music more of a jazzy pop kinda feel. 

Words and Music
by Justina Carubia
Scratch Demos ©2008

Verse 1:
You were supposed to be my summer love
What the hell happened to that?
We were supposed to have a little somethin
Then we fell,
Fell apart at the seams

Pre Chorus: 
Why don’t you call me honey?
Why can’t you just fill me in?
Your love’s a lottery
So close but then I never win

Chorus:
Pick up the phone so we can rock it out
You don’t fill me in and then I feel left out
It’s a Lonely Summer when you don’t want me around
This is where I draw the line
You shouldn’t call yourself a friend of mind
It’s a Lonely Summer when all that your doin’s wasting my time…

Verse 2:
Those days reciprocated are long gone
What the hell happened to that?
You got me beggin like a little child
Crawlin on, Crawlin on my hands and knees

Pre Chorus:
Why don’t you call me honey?
Why can’t you just fill me in?
Your love’s a record
It keeps skipping when it wants to spin

Chorus:
Pick up the phone so we can rock it out
You don’t fill me in and then I feel left out
It’s a Lonely Summer when you don’t want me around
This is where I draw the line
You shouldn’t call yourself a friend of mind
It’s a Lonely Summer when all that your doin’s wasting my time…

Bridge:
We should’ve never took that step
If I had known that you would leave me standing here
Maybe I shouldn’t feel regret
But I do…

Instrumental Break 

Chorus:
Pick up the phone so we can rock it out
You don’t fill me in and then I feel left out
It’s a Lonely Summer when you don’t want me around
This is where I draw the line
You shouldn’t call yourself a friend of mind
It’s a Lonely Summer when all that your doin’s wasting my time…

ABOUT THE SONG 
I had just started to learn how to finger pick and smoothly transition from chord to chord at this point. I think it is the earliest finger picking song that I have written. It's meant to be just a lullaby, the lyrics are very dreamy. The song was actually inspired by a Georgia O'Keefe painting called "Ladder to the Moon", and I remember finding the image in a magazine and cutting it out. I had put scotch tape around the entire clipping to preserve it; I don't remember where this clipping ended up, probably in a box somewhere, but that image inspired me to write a song about a Ladder to the Moon, and when I looked at that picture, I just heard a lullaby in my head. 

Music & Lyrics 
By Justina Carubia
Scratch Demos ©2003

Verse 1: 
In a place 
Far away 
I will dream of you to come and
Take my hand
Understand 
That I don't want no one but you...

Chorus:
Ladder to the moon
Ladder to the moon 

Verse 2: 
I know one day 
I'll fly away 
And soar above 
The clouds and hold you 
In my arms
Safe from harm 
And never let you go 
Ever again

Chorus:
Ladder to the moon 
Ladder to the moon 
Ladder to the moon 

Verse 3: 
I'll wish upon a star tonight
And dream that 
You're holding me tight 
In my room 
Where we'll soon 
Find that ladder to the moon 

Chorus:
Ladder to the moon 
Ladder to the moon 
Ladder to the moon ...

ABOUT THE SONG 
I wrote this song in 2009 when I lived in LA for about 6 months. This song is basically about me moving away from home for the first time in my life, and experiencing everything the great city of LA has to offer. It also depicts how terribly I am missing my HOME : New Jersey. Nothing can ever compare…the diners, the food, the late night convenience, the crappy weather, and how the city, the beach and the country are all within a 20 -30 mile radius. Well you get the point…

Before I get into the song, there’s just a small reference I wanted to elaborate on, which I have been questioned about. The reference to Patty’s Burgundy Shoes is actually about a song called “Burgundy Shoes” by Patty Griffin, an amazing songwriter. I listened to her a lot before making the big move to LA so her music will always remind me of driving on NJ highways in the dead of winter. Also, the line about our governor being gay is a reference to New Jersey's ex governor, Jim McGreevy who was making headlines at the time for his coming out, and it's just something everyone associated with people who were from NJ. If anyone has any questions about a lyric , just ask and I shall explain!

Lyrics & Music
by Justina Carubia
Scratch Demos ©2009

Verse 1:
Well I dunno how long I’ll be here
NJ, Seattle, to LA
But I’m sure missin New York City
And the first quake I feel
I’m headin for the subway

Now Everyday is picture perfect
It’s sad I’m wishing for some rain
Those snowy winters in New Jersey
Where Patty’s Burgundy Shoes
Were blasting on the parkway

Chorus:
This Socal life of mine
Jammed on the 405
But in the Garden State
The diners that stay open late’s
Is why Jersey Girls don’t belong in LA

Verse 2:
Now everybody’s up on Venice
The shops are closing up at 8
But no signs here point to Pleasant
And the cardboard pizza
Doesn’t do it for me anyway

Chorus:
This Socal life of mine
Jammed on the 405
But in the Garden State
The gossip that our Governor’s gay
Is why Jersey Girls don’t belong in LA

Bridge:
Maybe Nashville’s next
With the guitar on my back
Not this superficial world
That’s singing on a backing track
Either way , my heart can’t escape
The constant need to to tailgate

Chorus:
This Socal life of mine
Jammed on the 405
But in the Garden State
The bodies floating in spring lake
Is why Jersey Girls don’t belong in LA

This Socal life of mine
Jammed on the 405
But in the Garden State
The weekends in New Hope, PA
Is why Jersey Girls don’t belong in LA…

Is why Jersey Girls don’t belong in LA…
Whoa whoa whoa
​Don't belong in LA...

​

ABOUT THE SONG 
This was probably in the first batch of songs that I ever wrote, and it's just horrible and super cheesy. It's about seeing someone from afar, and being attracted to them and intrigued by them, that you wanna get to know them more. The rhythm and upbeat quality of this song was probably definitely inspired by Swedish pop girl duo, M2M. They were super huge in the early 2000s, and I saw them open for Jewel, and also for Michelle Branch, and they had some catchy hits that I was all about, haha. This was the first song in which I ever implemented a key change into my writing. How ambitious lol - it was also before I had a good handle on my barred chords, so I would flub that Bm in the key change jump, pretty much all the time. I never did record this one in a studio, this is one of those songs I've just grown out of.

Words and Music 
By Justina Carubia 
Scratch Demos © 2002

Verse 1: 
There you are
Walkin down the street
You look at me
Our eyes meet

Pre Chorus:
I know you're thinking the same exact thing 
I wanna love ya, but I don't even know you 
I see your eyes give me that wink 
And then it makes me start to think...

Chorus:
I wanna get to know 
I wanna know your favorite things
I wanna know everything about you 
Can't wait to see what this could be 

Verse 2:
People say 
It's called love at first sight
But it's just a small attraction 
That feels so right 

Pre Chorus:
I see you over there 
Takin your time 
Stop bein stubborn
I know you wanna ask me 
If I could be yours 
And you could be mine
Just think, 
We could last 
Til the end of time...

Chorus:
I wanna get to know 
I wanna know your favorite things
I wanna know everything about you 
Can't wait to see what this could be 

Bridge:
We can go back to minding our business
But wouldn't you rather see what could come out of this?

KEY CHANGE 

Chorus:
I wanna get to know 
I wanna know your favorite things
I wanna know everything about you 
Can't wait to see what this could be

ABOUT THE SONG 
This song was written in 2004 about a bad breakup in which the dumpee wants everything that she gave her ex-boyfriend back from him, including her heart. This is the classic tale of the guy leaves the girl for another girl. The song title and hook stems from the old term “Indian Giver”, which could be controversial to some, but it is not meant to offend anyone of Native American decent. Indian giver is an American expression to describe a person who gives a gift and later wants it back, or something equivalent in return. It is based on the experiences of early European settlers and pioneers like Lewis and Clark when trading with Native Americans. The term and how it is used in this song is just a play on the meaning of the term. 

When I listen to the song today, I actually cringe because of how politically incorrect it is, by today's standards.  I was 18 when I wrote the song, in 2004, over a decade and a half ago, it was just a different time then. There was no politically correct racial awareness then, like there is today.  People have become more sensitized to things like this, so I would never write a song like this today. I don't like offending anyone, not intentionally anyway...

Music & Lyrics
by Justina Carubia
& Jason Moscartolo
Break of Day EP ©2005

OTHER CREDITS: 
Produced by John Harvey, & Jason Moscartolo

Verse 1: 
So I dropped off your stuff today and picked up mine
There was a picture frame
I gave to you last Valentine’sIt was a gift,
I want it back
Don’t you try to tell me to relax

Chorus:
I’m an Indian Giver
I may be a bit bitter
Now I’m so bare
And I’m suffering
from your decisions
Oh how I’ve tried and I
lost my mind
Now I just want back
What belongs to me
I’m still hurting inside
mmhmm

Verse 2:
So I went to your mailbox
And I looked inside
There was a picture of the three of us
Me you and your pride
I don’t even love you anymore
I’m takin’ back those words…

Chorus:
I’m an Indian Giver
I may be a bit bitter
Now I’m so bare
And I’m suffering
from your decisions
Oh how I’ve tried and I
lost my mind
Now I just want back
What belongs to me
I’m still hurting inside
I’m still hurting

Bridge:
Do you really wanna
get rid of me that bad
Your flavor of the week
am I your latest fad
I gave my heart to you
Now I want it
Want it back
Back , back , yea
Baby I want it back, back yea yea yea yea yea
Oh, whoa oa

Chorus Repeat til end

ABOUT THE SONG 
This song was written in 2002 or 2003 about a relationship I was in during my college years. My boyfriend at the time resided in college dorms, and I had gone to an art school closer to home. It was somewhat of a long distance relationship during the week, and when you’re that young, you’re way more needy of constant affection and everything is way more dramatized then it needs to be. The result of my frustration is this super cute and charming pop rock diddy. 😉

Music & Lyrics
by Justina Carubia
From Break of Day EP, track released
© May 24, 2005

Verse 1:
I know you feel
That love is
At its strongest
When you’re far away
From the one you love
But let’s be real
I know that there are times
When you feel like
Givin’ up

Pre Chorus:
You’re just so far away
It drives me crazy
But it’s nothing to you!

Chorus:
I get so lonely
When you’re not around
To kiss and hold me
I miss you so much
Right now
Cuz I get so lonely
When you’re not around

Verse 2: 
I know you can’t
Be with me
Every single waking Moment
Of your life
But I still
Find a way to let you know
That everything
Is gonna be alright

Pre Chorus:
Youre just so far away
It drives me crazy
But it’s nothing to you

Chorus:
I get so lonely
When you’re not around
To kiss and hold me
I miss you
So much right now
Cuz I get so lonely
When you’re not around

Bridge:
When you’re not around
La da da da da da Oh
Round round round round
​
Chorus:
I get so lonely
When you’re not around
To kiss and hold me
I miss you
So much right now
Cuz I get so lonely
When you’re not around

ABOUT THE SONG 
I wrote this song probably in the same year that I started playing guitar (2002). I was listening to a lot of Jewel and Michelle Branch's Broken Bracelet album at the time, so I was super inspired by simple, folky and cute little diddies. This one is just about friendship and being there for each other in times of need. I love how innocent this song is. 

Words & Music 
by Justina Carubia
Scratch Demos ©2002

 Verse 1:
I saw you standing alone
Is it alright if I join you?
Cuz I don't wanna go home...
And I'd rather be here with you 

Pre Chorus:
Listen to me
And I'll listen to you 

Chorus:
You're my helping hand
When I give up
There you stand
You're my 
Helping Hand...

Verse 2: 
I won't give up on you 
Because you won't give up on me 
You always fill up my spoon 
You're like my sugar 
And I'm your tea

Pre Chorus:
Listen to you 
And You'll listen to...
Me...

Chorus:
You're my helping hand
When I give up
There you stand
You're my 
Helping Hand...

Helping Hand...
You're my
​Helping Hand...