Music

1. Welcome to ourWorld
2. For a Second of Your Smile
3. Holly Takes Me Home Again
4. The Minstrels Gallery
5. The Sunny Hours
6. Emily Sideways
7. Where the Ocean Greets the Sun
8. Marks Upon the Earth
9. This Roundabout
10. Finale (Can Sharks Really Smell Blood)

Written, engineered and produced by Tom Wells

Additional engineering by Nicholas Bowen, assisted by Max Rogers

Recorded at Quay West Studios, Pirate Studios, and Tom's Havant House

Mixed by Mikko Gordon, except track 4 mixed by Olly Knights, tracks 5 and 8 mixed by Samhain Carter-Brazier, and track 6 mixed by Tom Wells

Mastered by Kev Smith at The Foundry, except track 6 mastered by Tom Wells

Artwork by Andrew Foster

Photography by Samhain Carter-Brazier

MUSICIANS:

Tom Wells: Vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, keys, synths, percussion, strings, samples

Chris Arrowsmith: Drums, percussion

Dan Sawyers: Bass, synths

Michael Koullas: Guitars

Chris Peace: Guitars

Olly Knights: Backing vocals (track 4)

Welcome to ourWorld

Now it’s time to escape
It’s time to escape
It’s time to put your blinkers on
Before the next wave
‘Cos we’re tired of restraint
We’re tired of restraint
We’re tired of watching others run the world in their way

So don’t kid yourself boys
Don’t kid yourself boys
Your race is run

Welcome to ourWorld

Tear it up
Don’t look back
Stay on track

And don’t kid yourself boys
Don’t kid yourself boys
Your race is run

Welcome to ourWorld

For a Second of Your Smile

Any minute I'll be right with you
As my clock strikes 11:65
And I'm 12 hours into the saddle
But I'm already 7 days behind

And my pendulum's swinging
While the cuckoos are singing...

"Come play, take things slowly
Your weight just keeps dragging you down"
I've been overstretching time
Breaking clocks for a second of your smile

And you pray I'm not going crazy
And you say that my efforts are futile
Ever straining to block the shadows
As I try hard to break this sundial

Is my pendulum swinging?
Are the cuckoos still singing on?
Is my pendulum swinging?
Are the cuckoos still singing?

"Come play, take things slowly
Your weight just keeps dragging you down"
I've been overstretching time
But just for a second
"Come play, take things slowly
Your weight just keeps dragging you down"
I've been overstretching time
Breaking clocks for a second of your smile

Because I'm always counting seconds until you smile

Holly Takes Me Home Again

When I was your age I would dance with the boys
Real songs we had, none of this modern noise
Now I drift through my days, losing friends, forgetting dates
But if just close my eyes, and we wait a second…

I’m flying through silver screens
Spinning to the sound
With an arrogance of youth
And not a grey to be found
And I swear that this is real
‘Til the nurse brings me round
And Holly takes me home again

Why does she wake me up when I don’t want to see
Faded patchwork quilts stitched from lost memories
Oh Holly let me sleep, the deep sleep of a thousand dreams
‘Cos I miss my husband’s eyes, and I miss my family…

I feel it coming on again
A sleep that’s oh so strong
I see a tunnel with a light at the end
That I’m dancing all along

Now I’m flying through silver screens
Spinning to the sound
With an arrogance of youth
And not a grey to be found
And I swear that this is real
‘Til the nurse brings me round
And Holly takes me home again
Holly takes me home again

The Minstrels Gallery

Come and join The Minstrels Gallery
It’s a lot of fun
Not a deal of money to go round
Pick off every crumb
But it could be worse, in a 9-5 curse
So let’s fix that frown
'Cos up here in The Minstrels Gallery
It’s best to not look down

Take a seat the show is starting
A human play
Where all the rich folk steal and run away
The impression of a party
Us minstrels play
While your chance of escape is sold and washed away

Back up in The Minstrels Gallery
Such a heavy sound
As our hard earned pennies start to drop
Traded by the pound
But it could be worse, sat in Daddy’s purse
In a seaside town
Where all the fiddles stitch into the cloth
Of the Lord Mayor’s gown

Act 2: A centre parting
‘Cos come what may
You have to pick a side to have a say
The impression of a party
Us minstrels play
While your chance of escape is sold and washed away
Is washed away
So let the minstrels play!

Come and join The Minstrels Gallery

The Sunny Hours

I only count the sunny hours
I have no time for rain
As moonlight flits upon my arms
I lose count and start again

From dawn 'til dusk I’m yours of course
Until the daylight cowers
So let’s forget about the clouds and the storms
And live our lives for the sunny hours

I only count the sunny hours
I have no time for rain

Emily Sideways

Oh Emily Sideways walks alone
Always on the move for something
Tired of fixing people’s problems so
Oh Emily Sideways walks alone
Watch her as she strolls right out the door

Where the Ocean Greets the Sun

Bereft of ideas with a monkey on my back
I went looking for a new place to fall
Beyond the jaws of a howling wolf pack
Came a long lost siren call

“Pitch your boat into the water
Carry yourself with the tide”

Some days I just wanna run away
I just wanna run
Where the ocean greets the sun
With a wave

Marks Upon the Earth

I’ve been working in these fields since the day that I was born
But now I’ve started feeling like I’m always overdrawn
And you run and you run and you run and you run and you run
And you run and you run and you run and you run and you run

Ain’t exactly what you wanted from me now
Break my back and take my shirt
No time for thinking that you treat me like a plough
As I’m dragged across the dirt

And so we try
To leave our marks upon the earth
And that’s no less than we deserve
We’ve soldiered on and on and on…Oh yeah we try
To leave our marks upon the earth
And that’s no less than we deserve
We’ve soldiered on and on and on again
On and on and on and on
Again

And back and forth we go until our fingertips are raw
Our legs are always aching and our feet are always sore
And we run and we run and we run and we run and we run
Yeah we run and we run and we run and we run and we run

And we wonder just how you sleep at night
Knowing that you’ve caused such hurt
Stories written in the ground you’ve made us fight
As we’re dragged across the dirt

And so we try
To leave our marks upon the earth
And that’s no less than we deserve
We’ve soldiered on and on and on…
Oh yeah we try
To leave our marks upon the earth
And that’s no less than we deserve
We’ve soldiered on and on and on again
On and on and on again
On and on and on and on
Again

This Roundabout

When I was a child
I would speak to anyone
I’d share my games with a stranger’s son
I didn’t ask for much
Never ruffled any feathers
But now my skin jumps at the slightest touch

And I’m not sure I can take this much more

Cos I can’t swallow food
And I choke on air and I
Would you help me out
Would you help me out
I can’t swallow food
And I choke on air and I
Would you help me out
Off this roundabout

And in my dreams I see
The airplanes falling from the sky
I see you throwing shapes in the sea
To try to calm the tide

They say that dreams are but a window to the truth

And I can’t swallow food
And I choke on air and I
Would you help me out
Would you help me out
I can’t swallow food
And I choke on air and I
Would you help me out
Off this roundabout
Off this roundabout

If I could get a second chance
I’d just get off this roundabout

Finale (Can Sharks Really Smell Blood)

Is your main sail broken
Did your rudder give out
When you think you’re misspoken
Or smothered in doubt

Are you taking on water
Scared you might drown
And you can’t find the pathway
Back to your town

When the tide is coming in
Don’t let yourself get washed out

‘Cos it’s time to escape
It’s time to escape

Are you choking on thin air
Do films make you cry
And you read in a book somewhere
It’s the best way to die

Got to find your way out of this long grass
Don’t get stuck in the mud
Take these breadcrumbs to plot your course
Can sharks really smell blood

When the tide is coming in
Don’t let yourself get washed out

‘Cos it’s time to escape
It’s time to escape

~ UK Songwriting Contest 2025 ~

‘Where the Ocean Greets the Sun’: Semi finalist

~ UK Songwriting Contest 2024 ~

‘For a Second of Your Smile’: Semi finalist

‘The Minstrels Gallery’: Semi finalist

1. Can You Take a Bullet For Me

2. We Don’t Belong

3. Haha, I Love You

4. That Sinking Feeling

All tracks written, engineered and produced by Tom Wells

Recorded at Mayfield Studios, Portsmouth and in a small flat in Havant

Mixed and mastered by Mikko Gordon

Artwork by Sam Brandon

Photography by James Sharp

Musicians:

Tom Wells: Vocals, guitars, keys, percussion

Chris Peace: Guitars

Michael Koullas: Guitars

Dan Sawyers: Bass

Jack Mitchell: Drums

~ UK Songwriting Contest 2023 ~

‘That Sinking Feeling’: Finalist

‘We Don’t Belong’: Semi finalist

‘Haha, I Love You’: Semi finalist

Can You Take a Bullet For Me

Mr. Postman, can you take a bullet for me?
Can you take a bullet for me?

So I’ve taken my aim and there it goes
A message to the one that I most care about
And although it’s armed with truth in droves
My confidence takes a hit from nagging doubt

Mr. Postman, can you take a bullet for me?
Can you take a bullet for me?

We Don’t Belong

We don’t belong on this long vacation
A costly escape to a prime location
No noise to ignore
Just fields to explore
No we don’t belong

We don’t belong at these celebrations
We don’t know the rules of such fine occasions
Pampered and spoiled
The staff how they toiled
No we don’t belong

Ain’t it funny how we both reacted
Flying first class left us so distracted
Only right
We live a little life
The bed’s too big I fear I won’t get near you
The kettle switched for a machine we won’t use
Only right
We live a little life

We don’t belong in this empty mansion
Why didn’t we go for just a small expansion
In acres of ground
We finally found
That we don’t belong

Ain’t it funny how we both reacted
Flying first class left us so distracted
Only right
We live a little life
The bed’s too big I fear I won’t get near you
The kettle switched for a machine we won’t use
Only right
We live a little life

Haha, I Love You

You sowed the seeds of doubt
In those four small words
And all we’ve built up to now
I just hold up to the light to observe

You say “haha, I love you”
And I just don’t know if you mean it
You say “haha, I love you”

As stubborn as a toothpaste stain
I just can’t get these words out of my brain
And now I’m lying here
Swimming in circles doing laps of the bed as all this doubt remains

You say “haha, I love you”
And I just don’t know if you mean it
You say “haha, I love you”
You say “haha, I love you”
And I just don’t know if you mean it
You say “haha, I love you”

You said that it was only a joke
Just a turn of phrase
No needing to go speeding to conclusions again
Yeah it was only a joke
Just a turn of phrase
No needing to go speeding to conclusions again
Yeah it was only a joke
Just a turn of phrase
No needing to go speeding to conclusions again
Yeah it was only a joke
Just a turn of phrase
No needing to go speeding to conclusions again

You say “haha, I love you”
And I just don’t know if you mean it
You say “haha, I love you”
You say “haha, I love you”
And I just don’t know if you mean it
You say “haha, I love you”

(Haha, I love you)

That Sinking Feeling

Awake at the calling
Receives early warning
He's coming back
From sleepy and yawning
Half upright and crawling
Her bags are packed

So she closes the door
Her ear to the floor

You can't stand to see him
And face the facts
You've got that sinking feeling
Of being trapped

Like dominoes falling
Your lies they come sprawling
Across your back
You just keep ignoring
Your life's become boring
A silent act

The damage is done
This used to be fun

You can't stand to see him
And face the facts
You've got that sinking feeling
Of being trapped
So you run away and keep the truth at bay
But girl it's sad to see you waste another day

Now it's time to go home
So you pull up in the car outside
But you see him standing in the drive
And your head it starts to moan...

A. A Thousand Tiny Cuts (Mikko Gordon Single Mix)

B. A Thousand Tiny Cuts (Live at The Wedgewood Rooms) (Vinyl Edition Only)

All tracks written and produced by Tom Wells

Track 1 recorded in a small flat in Havant

Track 1 mixed and mastered by Mikko Gordon

Track 2 recorded live at The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth by Ben Heath

Track 2 mixed and mastered by Tom Wells

Artwork by Sam Brandon and Tom Wells

Photography by James Sharp

Musicians:

Tom Wells: Vocals, guitars, keys, bass, drums

Michael Koullas: Guitars

~ UK Songwriting Contest 2021 ~

‘A Thousand Tiny Cuts’: Finalist

A Thousand Tiny Cuts

You ran with scissors, you say?
Blamed Stanley Knives
Oh how it’s never your fault
Deflect and disguise

But I know what you’re playing
Have known for a while
Cutting groves into your skin
To sharpen your smile

A thousand tiny cuts
Would never be enough
To break the bond of us

So roll your sleeves down again
Let’s cover the scars
This is nobody’s news
No business but ours

When you’re ready to talk
And answer the whys
Then believe me I’m all ears
No judge would chastise

A thousand tiny cuts
Would never be enough
To break the bond of us

Cos we’re all a bit broken
Scratched from former lives
Hiding razors from ones we love
Oh but nothing could damage
The bond that keeps us tied
So let’s set aside your marks and disarm the lies

A thousand tiny cuts
Would never be enough
To break the bond of us

1. On Being Poor

2. I Work in Lies

3. The English Way

4. A Thousand Tiny Cuts

All songs written, engineered and produced by Tom Wells

Recorded in a small flat in Havant and at Mayfield Studios, Portsmouth

Additional vocal engineering by Gregg Powell

Mixed and mastered by Kev Smith at The Foundry

Except track 1 mixed by Ali Staton, track 2 mixed by Tom Wells

Artwork by Sam Brandon

Photography by James Sharp

Musicians:

Tom Wells: Drums, bass, guitars, keys, vocals

Sam Cutbush: Harmonica (track 2)

Andrew Foster: Backing vocals (track 3)

Nathan Hill: Drums (track 3)

Michael Koullas: Guitars (track 3 and 4)

~ UK Songwriting Contest 2021 ~

‘A Thousand Tiny Cuts’: Finalist

‘On Being Poor’: Semi finalist

‘I Work in Lies’: Semi finalist

On Being Poor

Seas surrounding
I just can’t sleep
With this wolf hounding my door
Fees are mounding
So pay me please
Bring me order to my shore

‘Cos when I’m faced with poison
I just take it down with joy and ask for more

So please pay
‘Cos I can’t keep temptation from my door
And these days
I could write the book on being poor

Oh I long for not a fortune
Not a jewel nor trips abroad
Just enough to keep the landlord in tune
And the taxman keeping score

Oh but when I’m faced with poison
You know I’ll take it down with joy and ask for more

So please pay
‘Cos I can’t keep temptation from my door
And these days
I could write the book on being poor

I Work in Lies

I work in lies
Write the news to sell the papers
Spread our editor's agendas
I work in lies

I work in lies
Manufacturing the scandals
We're the literary vandals
I work in lies

We'll hack your phone now, baby
We'll tell you lies
Track down your car and then we'll cut your tires
We'll hack your phone now, baby
We won't think twice
Tell us your secrets or we'll print your life

I work in lies
Holding sway in the election
Cast your vote in our direction
I work in lies

I work in lies
Chase celebrity affairs
But protect the millionaires
I work in lies

Never wanted to be a writer
I'm in too deep and if I run, I run, I run, I run...
They'd hunt me down like a fighter
I know too much, I'd see the gun, the gun, the gun...

We'll hack your phone now, baby
We'll tell you lies
Track down your car and then we'll cut your tires
We'll hack your phone now, baby
We won't think twice
Tell us your secrets or we'll print your life

The English Way

I came to England
I came to study in this hallowed place
But I discovered
A hidden darkness running through the grace

All the men they won't talk
Let the world give chase
They just suffer inside
Scared of losing face

I found the English way
Shrug it off, brush it over

Gotta be a man now
Stiff upper lip is what their fathers say
All these emotions
Pushed down inside for another day

A silent killer roams the streets
Picking off easy prey
You've got to learn how to speak
These troubles won't go away

I found the English way
Shrug it off, brush it over

Your friends and family want to help you, boy
We're all here when you want to talk

I found the English way
Shrug it off, brush it over

A Thousand Tiny Cuts

You ran with scissors, you say?
Blamed Stanley Knives
Oh how it’s never your fault
Deflect and disguise

But I know what you’re playing
Have known for a while
Cutting groves into your skin
To sharpen your smile

A thousand tiny cuts
Would never be enough
To break the bond of us

So roll your sleeves down again
Let’s cover the scars
This is nobody’s news
No business but ours

When you’re ready to talk
And answer the whys
Then believe me I’m all ears
No judge would chastise

A thousand tiny cuts
Would never be enough
To break the bond of us

Cos we’re all a bit broken
Scratched from former lives
Hiding razors from ones we love
Oh but nothing could damage
The bond that keeps us tied
So let’s set aside your marks and disarm the lies

A thousand tiny cuts
Would never be enough
To break the bond of us

Written, engineered, produced and mixed by Tom Wells

Recorded in a small flat in Havant and at Mayfield Studios, Portsmouth

Artwork and animation by Sam Brandon

Mastering by Kev Smith at The Foundry

Musicians:

Tom Wells: Drums, bass, guitars, keys, vocals

Sea Change

I stand up when you wanted to take me down
I stand up when you wanted to take me down
So you run, you run, you run, you run, you run
Seek the higher ground
As waves crash around

Now you’re running from the sea change

I set sail, cross the oceans against the tide
(Doesn’t matter what the haters say)
Stand tall when you’d rather that I’d capsized
(Change is coming and your judgement day)
So you run, you run, you run, you run, you run
Hide behind the lies
As sea levels rise

Now you’re running from the sea change

Tell me how much longer are you gonna stand
And watch our cities drown
Well I’ll storm the towers
Shipwreck the powers
Take to the streets while I still can

Now you’re running from the sea change

1. Measure by Measure

2. Higher than Everyone

3. This Wondrous Foe

4. Measure by Measure (Live Acoustic) (Bonus track on CD version)

All songs written, engineered and produced by Tom Wells

Recorded in a small flat in Havant and at Mayfield Studios, Portsmouth

Additional vocal engineering by Gregg Powell

Mixing and mastering by Kev Smith at The Foundry

Video by Sam Brandon

Artwork by Tom Wells

Musicians:

Tom Wells: Drums, bass, guitars, keys, vocals

Michael Koullas: Guitars (track 1)

Nathan Hill: Percussion (track 1)

Chris Peace: Guitars (track 2)

Jaya: Backing vocals (track 2)

Dan Sawyers: Guitars (track 3

‘Measure by Measure’ film festivals and awards:

~ 2019 ~

British Animation Film Festival (BAFF), United Kingdom: Official selection, Nominated for Best Music Video, Best Animated Short and Best Music

RATMA International Film Festival, United Kingdom: Official selection, Winner of the Music category

Supertoon International Animation Festival, Croatia: Official selection, Nominated for Best Animated Music Video

Animaine, The Maine Animation Festival, USA: Official selection

Balkanima European Animated Film Festival, Serbia: Official selection

Insomnia International Animation Film Festival, Russia: Official selection

UK Songwriting Contest: Semi finalist

~ 2020 ~

Athens Digital Arts Festival, Greece: Official selection

Kre8tif!, Malaysia: Shortlisted for SEA Kre8tif! Award

Measure by Measure

Six of one, half a dozen of the other
It adds up to the same
A late call from your sister or your brother
Just treat it fun like a game

Step-by-step let it climb to your heart
With all manner of speed
Take a breath, don't return to the start
These doubts are traitors you see

It's all measure by measure

Work hard and stay patient with your lover
And never moan if you're free
Remain calm for the best of one another
Don't leap this balancing beam

When you're met with the green grass of your neighbour
And your jealousy screams
Never fret, find the things in life to savour
A gradual stitch of the seams

It's all measure by measure

Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall

It's all measure by measure

Higher than Everyone

Daring to dream, we're climbing out from underground
'Cross rivers and streams, we're following this path we've found
As we go on out of reach, of the people that bring us down
Yeah we go on out of reach, heading for higher ground

Higher than everyone

Picking up speed, no looking back, no slowing down
What might've been, won't matter where we're headed now
As we go on out of reach, of the ties that keep us bound
Yeah we go on out of reach, we'll fly over every town

Higher than everyone

This Wondrous Foe

Stuck in a rut with feet like lead
Needing a break, needing the rest
When everyone else tries to impress
You can't even make it out of bed

You've got to reap what you sow
Keep your eyes on the road

Should you fall
Down
Deep in the water
Or just crawl
Round
Like you feel two feet shorter
I will come to your arms, lift you safe from the harm
'Til this storm is over
If you're too tired to run then we'll fight off this wondrous foe

Still wide awake he's in your head
The devil he details all this mess
Tied to the mattress feel the stress
Of all past decisions you regret

You've got to reap what you sow
Keep your eyes on the road

Should you fall
Down
Deep in the water
Or just crawl
Round
Like you feel two feet shorter
I will come to your arms, lift you safe from the harm
'Til this storm is over
If you're too tired to run then we'll fight off this wondrous foe

1. Can You Take a Bullet For Me (Live from The Old Chapel)

2. The English Way (Live from The Old Chapel)

3. Sea Change (Live from The Old Chapel)

4. Measure by Measure (Live from The Old Chapel)

5. On Being Poor (Live from The Old Chapel)

All tracks written, produced, mixed and mastered by Tom Wells

Recorded live at The Old Chapel Studios, Chichester

Engineered by David Evans

Assistant engineering by Iori Howells

Videography by James Sharp

Photography by Tammy Martin

Musicians:

Tom Wells: Lead vocals, guitar

Chris Peace: Guitar, backing vocals

Michael Koullas: Guitar, backing vocals

Dan Sawyers: Bass guitar, synth

Jack Mitchell: Drums

Can You Take a Bullet For Me

Mr. Postman, can you take a bullet for me?
Can you take a bullet for me?

So I’ve taken my aim and there it goes
A message to the one that I most care about
And although it’s armed with truth in droves
My confidence takes a hit from nagging doubt

Mr. Postman, can you take a bullet for me?
Can you take a bullet for me?

The English Way

I came to England
I came to study in this hallowed place
But I discovered
A hidden darkness running through the grace

All the men they won't talk
Let the world give chase
They just suffer inside
Scared of losing face

I found the English way
Shrug it off, brush it over

Gotta be a man now
Stiff upper lip is what their fathers say
All these emotions
Pushed down inside for another day

A silent killer roams the streets
Picking off easy prey
You've got to learn how to speak
These troubles won't go away

I found the English way
Shrug it off, brush it over

Your friends and family want to help you, boy
We're all here when you want to talk

I found the English way
Shrug it off, brush it over

Sea Change

I stand up when you wanted to take me down
I stand up when you wanted to take me down
So you run, you run, you run, you run, you run
Seek the higher ground
As waves crash around

Now you’re running from the sea change

I set sail, cross the oceans against the tide
(Doesn’t matter what the haters say)
Stand tall when you’d rather that I’d capsized
(Change is coming and your judgement day)
So you run, you run, you run, you run, you run
Hide behind the lies
As sea levels rise

Now you’re running from the sea change

Tell me how much longer are you gonna stand
And watch our cities drown
Well I’ll storm the towers
Shipwreck the powers
Take to the streets while I still can

Now you’re running from the sea change

Measure by Measure

Six of one, half a dozen of the other
It adds up to the same
A late call from your sister or your brother
Just treat it fun like a game

Step-by-step let it climb to your heart
With all manner of speed
Take a breath, don't return to the start
These doubts are traitors you see

It's all measure by measure

Work hard and stay patient with your lover
And never moan if you're free
Remain calm for the best of one another
Don't leap this balancing beam

When you're met with the green grass of your neighbour
And your jealousy screams
Never fret, find the things in life to savour
A gradual stitch of the seams

It's all measure by measure

Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall

It's all measure by measure

On Being Poor

Seas surrounding
I just can’t sleep
With this wolf hounding my door
Fees are mounding
So pay me please
Bring me order to my shore

‘Cos when I’m faced with poison
I just take it down with joy and ask for more

So please pay
‘Cos I can’t keep temptation from my door
And these days
I could write the book on being poor

Oh I long for not a fortune
Not a jewel nor trips abroad
Just enough to keep the landlord in tune
And the taxman keeping score

Oh but when I’m faced with poison
You know I’ll take it down with joy and ask for more

So please pay
‘Cos I can’t keep temptation from my door
And these days
I could write the book on being poor