Co_Written

Co-Written By Jensen Bell

Over the years Jensen has been asked to co-write songs with artists and friends. He has also asked musicians he has worked with to add their talent for lyrics and melodies to the band they shared. Below will be a growing list of these songs from the past (and future), lyrics, samples of the song or even the whole song in some form. We sincerely hope you enjoy these works.

Think Again

(Jensen Bell / Jim Laspesa)

The first song on our list was recorded for "Modern Dating Tips" in two parts. The first part was an introduction... the signature riff played by a real string section, acoustic guitar, classical guitar and some light voice. The second part is a churning moody rock & roll song that puts one in the mood of Chris Bell. Jim brought Jensen a cassette tape of a home four track recording. The tape had the brilliant riff, some of the chords and the basic rhythm only faster. Jensen slowed it down... changed some chords and wrote the words and melody. The two of them worked very hard on the recording and arrangements and that work shows. Though the song really works sonically, the lyrics of the song don't fit in with the story arc of "Modern Dating Tips"... Think Again shows how assumptions can ruin 3 kinds of friendships and has a lot of mystery and imagery that would fit better elsewhere. Sadly Jensen and Jim no longer work together and so there is really no immediate need for the song to be collected into a disk. Lucky you! You get to have the masters here at your finger-tips anytime you wish for free... simply by streaming them here:

Theme (Think Again)

Think Again

| lyrics | description and credits

Happy Chocolate (Duet)

(Jensen Bell / Kim Shattuck)

The next song on our list is the most recent co-write. Jensen wrote a song called "Happy Chocolate" for a girl he was trying to woo.

The title refers to a John Lennon quote about idealism and was taken from a 1979 or '80 interview with "Playboy Magazine." That quote is at the top of the page linked HERE.

When the time came to record it Jensen had the idea that the song might make a good duet. He began to write a duet version where every other verse was an answer from the feminine perspective... but in his version both parties were amenable. Jensen contacted Kim Shattuck to do this song with him and she agreed... perhaps because he sold it as "a modern 'don't go breakin' my heart' type-thing." Whatever it was Kim showed up with incredible energy, nuance and subtlety in her vocal performance. She also showed up with her own take on the feminine part's lyrics. In her mind, this girl wouldn't trust this gushing love declaration for a mix reasons including past experiences with stalkers and low self esteem. The lyrical additions were perfect and the two of them easily traded lines on this soon-to-be-classic almost-love duet.

This version of the song can be found on the CD "Modern Dating Tips" HERE

The old (non-duet) version of the song can be heard on the Demos page HERE

| listening station | lyrics | description and credits

You Again

(Jensen Bell / Marshall Crenshaw)

Imagine it... having the chance to submit a song to beatlesque pop-master Marshall Crenshaw at the last moment as they are struggling to finish a major label record. Imagine him loving your song. Imagine drummer Kenny Aronoff and Graham Maby learning your song... Then imagine the idiot producer scuttling it because he didn't like the opening chord (Bm7b5)... (that chord can easily be switched to a G7... but nooooo!) damn!

Years later... the phone rings... "hey it's Marshall... listen, I have this idea for a song... the melody is there the chords I love but... I don't like my lyrics... want to take a stab?... right now I call it "Whirlwind"... but you don't have to use that..."

"I didn't much like the image 'like a whirlwind'... it wasn't anything I could see in my head," Jensen explained. "I always felt Marshall was at his best when he was singing personal lyrics with "you" and "me" in the lyrics, so I felt like the moment he said "whirlwind" could be "You Again"... and I imagined him listening to old classic 60's songs and missing this person who wouldn't leave his mind. I sent him an early draft of it... he was really cool about it but I think he was really bummed that I didn't go with the word "whirlwind"... I don't think he ever recorded either version...I'm not sure."

" I think I really hit a line or two out of the ballpark...

"I've got a heart and I've got a sleeve... they get together when you leave"

"Man, I still really like that," Jensen gloats.

Jensen has since reworked the lyrics a bit and has recorded a few demos of it... one of which is here:

| listening station | lyrics | description and credits

Mixing You Down

(Jensen Bell / Carla Azar)

"So...write a song right now... right in front of me" the stunningly beautiful 24 year old girl challenged. This wasn't just any looker, this was one of the few best drummers Jensen had ever heard... male, female, young or old. She was proving to be a great and loyal friend. Though many had mad crushes on her... and most were cowardly musician-types who couldn't make the move, Carla never took advantage of that.

"She was always a contributor to the art and ideas of those around her," Jensen tells us.

(Carla was an alumnus of the "Wendy & Lisa" project spearheaded by Prince himself. She would later go on to glory as a session drummer for Mick Jagger, Lenny Kravitz, appear on recordings for The Waterboys, Sam Phillips, Robi Rosa, New Version of Soul, Natalie Merchant, Julio Iglesias, Joseph Arthur, Joe Henry, Joan Osbourne, GUS, Eleni Mandel, and Abby Travis. Carla would be a founding member and driving force for the growing legend of a band: Ednaswap.)

She had introduced Jensen to her pal Jeff Buckley and they had all sat around Jensen's living room thinking up ideas for songs just a month prior. But tonight at her beautifully decorated apartment, Carla threw down the gauntlet. Somewhat fazed but willing to prove his songwriting might, Jensen launched into chords and melody ideas... "what's the title Carla?... Gimme the title..."

"Well I was thinking how some people just annoy you and won't leave you alone..." she mused... "and you wish you could just mix them down... you know?... how about 'Mixing You Down'...?

and Jensen just started singing it... "I'm just mixing you down... out of my life... out of my mind... "...

"Wait... no... how bout "out of my time"..??

very cool.

They began writing the lyrics together right there

"She needed no preparation," Jensen explains, "she is a purely intuitive artist, we had no blocks... no stops... it just flowed I hope she has written more songs... I'll have to ask her."

Of the song's use and performance Jensen offers, "There were lots of Stones references in it...The Rails, my band at the time rehearsed it... I think we performed it quite a few times... I remember people really liked it."

Here now is a version of this song to enjoy.

| listening station | lyrics | description and credits

"Hangin Round With You"

(Jensen Bell / Abby Travis)

more description coming soon

For more, link to the Rails page

"Jo, Ann & Joan"

(Jensen Bell / Rob Rist)

This song is the best of a number of songs co-written by Jensen and Mr. Rist in the late 90's.

Other songs include "I'll Tell You A Secret," "An Apology," and "Dear Minutiae" and are available for sampling and owning on another page in this site accessible by pressing this button:

Something Brothers

(A collection of songs by Jensen and Nakata)

coming soon!