Words From Holy Gardens
I met and fell in love with Joan when I was 13. It was a love as beautiful as you can imagine. There were some ups and downs over the years but we were strong at the end - when I lost her to the heavens five months ago.
While I was taking care of her (and she was caring for me), I was often siting at home with my guitar. I play some chords with no direction in mind and sometimes words and melodies just come along. I look for that “chill factor” - whenmy body tells me there is something magic happening.
When I felt that chill factor, I turned on the voice memo on my phone and played whatever was in my heart at the moment - no editing. This was the way that some of my earlier favorite songs - Magic Girl, I Like Ridin’, and I Love YouToday came about. And this whole album was written like this during Joan's final days.
You can hear it yourself on Happiness Forever when Joan walks in as I am recording the song for the first time. During those days, she was often asking me for assistance and comfort and I love that she came in to hear the final lines of thismagic song and her voice is captured asking about the song. Her words are like little prayers that I treasure along with the memory of comforting her right after I finished the song.
I went to confession about a month ago. The terrific priest listened to me and said “God is expecting you to fall, but is glad to see you get up. Six hail Marys”. That was my penance.
Since Joan’s passing, with this album it seems like she is my confessor now. I’m not sure why confession means so much to me. Possibly it’s my training as a kid and I don't know if there is any logic to it. But I believe in just trying to be good, and trying to be better than you were. And confession feels good to me right now.
This album is dedicated to my Joan. Honey - you were right there when these songs were written and every song has your spirit floating around next to mine. Our hearts are beautifully locked together - through every note and word. It isfor us forever. Thank you for being there with me and keeping me strong through the rough times since you’ve been gone. I love you so much.
Keep listening, I will see you soon.
There’s Only One Joan.
Chip Taylor (December 2025)
Produced by Goran Grini and Chip Taylor. All songs written by Chip Taylor, Back Road Music Inc. (BMI).
Tracks
1. Worthy Bastards
2. It Would Be Good to See Where This Goes
3. Big Hole in the Middle
4. Maritza
5. I Wish You Happiness
6. Words From Long Ago
7. That's Pretty
8. Inside of You
9. I Don't Know How to Die
10. To See Me Smiling
11. Words From Holy Gardens
$10.00
