American Aquarium, "First Year" // GemsOnVHS™

This is from a hot summer in Raleigh, North Carolina. I'd flown out to meet BJ Barham, prodigal son of the beautiful state and long time legendary musician. He might not believe it (and thank God he doesn't, that kind of arrogance can drive you mad), but he's one of the best songwriters i've ever known, and a real DIY trailblazer. They say not to meet your heros, and I can confirm this is often ill-advised, but BJ turned out to be so humble, down to earth and just real. Everyone around him is instantly at ease as he jokes, shakes hands and improves the mood. He is fueled these days by massive caffeine shots instead of whiskey, and we're all probably better off for it.
I didn't expect anything in particular when I got there, maybe he'd show me a place or two. Instead, he welcomed me into his home with open arms, and we recorded an intimate song about family, amongst his own family. It was touching, and the audience (his daughter) seemed enthusiastic. She was more excited to show us her drawings, and really wanted him to "play the Trolls song."
Seriously though, there is nothing harder to adjust to, cope with and contemplate than losing the people who made you, or people you make. It is an intimate bond, a connective tissue in time, which is inevitably always severed by time in the physical, but always remains in the memory. We don't choose them, but we are them. Parents, siblings, sons and daughters. So for all of you who have lost someone close, for everyone who has a hard time with this Mother's Day, I feel you, I love you, and I hope this song helps you.
- Anthony
You can find BJ on Instagram at @americanaquarium and all things American Aquarium at linktr.ee/americanaquarium.
Our undying love and gratitude go to our executive producers for making this project possible: Brad Sirois, Mitchell Davis, Keith McQuillan, David Jameson, Lisa Galvan, Irvin Maddox, Josh Collins, Brady Jones, Julie Nestoroff, VJ Arizpe, Mr. Free, Rusty Shackleford, and Joshua Taylor.
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GemsOnVHS is a long running series of intimate, off-stage performances by songwriters we love.
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[@GemsOnVHS]

Do ya like the video you just saw? Make sure to subscribe and click the bell to get updates every time we post. Love ya! You can find American Aquarium on Spotify at open.spotify.com/artist/7nSYcucRT6IGiMepEmiZgT?si=j1sz02HyTQW0qpV9RdcX1w and on Instagram at @americanaquarium.

[@staciejean]

Thank you for this. I lost my 22 year old son and this song felt like it was straight from him🥲

[@jakelanningiscool]

It filled my heart to read this. That's the power of true art. Sorry for your loss, but I'm glad music helps 🖤

[@staciejean]

@@jakelanningiscool thank you!❤️‍🩹

[@dennisreynolds1226]

One of my favorite songs by them

[@mrsionsmith]

Please tell us that you filmed The Troll Song… 😮

[@ReverendRocknroll]

Beautiful. So sincere and personal.

[@user-vc8rm8ju8c]

Man... Shed a couple tears i miss my mom so much i lost her when i was 24 im 28 now and it hasnt gotten easier. Thank you for posting this. Got me out here crying while im weedeating lol

[@gavinjohnston8156]

I’m 25 right now but I also lost my mom when I was 24. Hang tough man. We can do it

[@GemsOnVHS]

cheers bud. we will always have their memory and their love.

[@samsham8218]

Amen. Its hardest after..

[@joeycollins-music]

Okay, but now I want to hear the trolls song! 😂

[@summertimecarl]

BJ is a great songwriter and seems like a real good guy. Lyrics are raw and truthful, no gimmicks, just pen-on-paper types of songs right out of a diary. One of the best out there!

[@GemsOnVHS]

agreed. no gimmicks. writes with power.

[@MrCheddah13]

The epitome of life in this one video, a beautiful song for a family member that has come and gone bringing you to tears. The camera whipping over to a beautiful family, a young child hopefully not exposed to the harsh realities of our time here but able to bring a smile to your face in an instant without trying. Life is beautiful even with the pain we have to endure.

[@sethmountain]

What a heartbreaking, true and good song. Thank you.

[@HamsterHand777]

Loved this, and your recent performance in Dublin, Ireland; still the concert of the year…!

[@SabrinaAngel]

Beautiful ❤

[@80shovel1]

Drip from GOD💧

[@MetalDeadness]

Damn!

[@cedarriver]

Great song, doesn't need much to get my attention captured when it's presented like this. Chrods and lyrics below folks. Head over to Ultimate Guitar for the picking pattern. Standard tuning, Capo on 4 This is based on the GemsOnVHS live version The G is mostly played with a pinky on third fret B string, so 320033, to get that high notes while picking Intro G Verse1 G C G / G C D / C D G C / G D C G / G D G Chorus C D G C / G D / C D / G Verse2 G C G / G C D / C D G C / G D / C D G Bridge Em C G / Em / C D [Intro] [Verse 1] It's finally here that time of year when your favorite flowers start to bloom And the showers of April cascade into the sauna we call June Yesterday was my birthday, the first one since you been gone All my friends say it gets easier All my friends have been known to be wrong [Chorus] You left in such a hurry, I had so much left to say Yeah I'm just passing by, thought I'd stop and say hi And that I miss you Happy Mother's Day [Verse 2] The two of you said, "I do", July 4 of '76 It was all sunshine and rainbows till you threw a couple babies in the mix A shining example of what love could truly be Like a castle made of sand, watched that mountain of a man Fall apart when they laid to rest his queen [Chorus] You left in such a hurry, I had so much left to say Yeah I'm just passing by, thought I'd stop and say hi And that I miss you Happy Independence Day [Bridge] Last New Year's Eve was like no other New Year before You never think you'll get that call Till that call comes knocking at your door [Chorus] You left in such a hurry, I had so much left to say Yeah I'm just passing by, thought I'd stop and say hi And that I miss you Happy New Year's Day

[@aftermath66699]

I lost my momma at birth I was taken Pulled from her breat By my soul just the same