BLUE JEANS - Reid Jamieson

BLUE JEANS ~ Reid Jamieson (Indepenent Jan 16, 2026)

Written by Reid Jamieson, Carolyn Victoria Mill, Johnny Irion. Blue Jeans is a musical prescription for postpandemic depression—though really it started back in 2016 when democracy took a turn for the unthinkable worst. Been down so long, must have cried the blues right out of our collective jeans. A rare co-write for Canada’s Reid Jamieson & CVM, Blue Jeans was written with American friend Johnny Irion (US Elevator, Sarah Lee Guthrie). Lush vocals over a driving groove, with a soothing yet upbeat build. Music is medicine for the mind…safe, affordable, no side effects.

NOTE: If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 in Canada and the US. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

LISTEN: https://reidjamieson.hearnow.com/blue-jeans

REID JAMIESON — “BLUE JEANS”

Behind the song…

A rare co-write written with our American friend Johnny Irion (US Elevator, Sarah Lee Guthrie). It took us quite a while to finish and pull the trigger on a release…now seemed like the right moment to talk about mental health.

Blue Jeans a prescription for postpandemic depression and PTSD—though really it started back in 2016 when democracy took a turn for the unthinkable worst. Our hearts breaking as war threatens like never before. Add to that our own wee personal trials and tribulations this last decade…. It needs to be said – many of us have been down so long, must have cried the blues right out of our collective jeans…

While we screw up the courage to ask for help, and the strength to fight for support, we’ve been taking what threatens to finish us off and have somehow found ourselves grateful for the inspiration. Reaching back into the pile of unfinished songs that nobody had the energy for, Blue Jeans raised its hand and asked if it could perhaps be the anthem for those carrying their own load. Sometimes you don’t need solutions…you just need to know that you are not alone.

This is a rare co-write so we will say something of our partner in crime Johnny Irio We met Johnny and his then wife Sarah Lee Guthrie, at the Vancouver Folk Festival back in 2013 (where the finale Seeger singalong with Sarah was one for the books!). After that we played a double bill together at the CBC Studios where we Reid and Johnny got to talking about their shared love of 60s folk rock and all those fab harmonies, and how maybe we should try writing a song together. Some long time later Johnny sent us a little snippet of an idea, a wee bit of melody along with the line ‘Must have cried the blues right out of my jeans’ – and we were off and running. Reid fleshed out the tune, CVM ran with the lyrics, and Blue Jeans was born. Mixing was on and off over the years but we finally got er done. Sure, Johnny is great-nephew to author John Steinbeck, and son-in-law to Arlo Guthrie. To us though, he is an authentic song making machine of note in his own right, as a solo artist or with his band US Elevator, collaborating with legends like Pete Seeger, Jeff Bridges, Wilco, and appearing in Twin Peaks and who knows what else…dude get’s around! We are grateful for our wee collab, and who can say…maybe this is just a start of us comingling with others…who knows?! Go give Johnny a listen…he is delicious, and a fine antidepressant if ever there was one. https://www.johnnyirionmusic.com/

FUN FACT: Reido doesn’t actually own a pair of blue jeans. Much like Elvis, he will wear black denim, but has not been seen in blue jeans for many decades.

CREDITS: Written by Johnny Irion. Reid Jamieson, Carolyn Victoria Mill. Performed and recorded by Reid, produced by Reid & CVM. Mastered by Michael Holland.

“The reassuring new single from Reid Jamieson is a prescription for catharsis. The folk track, co-written with his wife Carolyn Victoria Mill and American folk artist Johnny Irion, is gentle but not toothless. Lamenting that he “must have cried the blues right out of my jeans”, Jamieson depicts grief as ever-present. But despite the lyrical content grappling with depression, the track’s sturdy guitar and intimate production help move things in an ultimately hopeful and heartwarming direction. Maybe it’s time to throw those jeans out.” – V. S. Wells, Georgia Straight

BLUE JEANS

So long…
to just keep holding on
Even something strong
starts to fall apart
at the seams

All wrong…
and I’ve been down so long
Must have cried the blues
right out of
my jeans

The pain I’m in – my oldest friend
Like a second skin – so worn in
Since I don’t know when – the shape I’m in

Yeah the truth is…
It might kill me to see it end

So long…
to sing the
same old sad song
Even something strong
starts to sound a little
off key

All gone…
yeah, I’ve been down
so low, so long
Must have cried the blues
right out of
my jeans

The pain I’m in – my oldest friend
Like a second skin – so worn in
Since I don’t know when – the shape I’m in

Yeah, the truth is…
It might kill me to see it end

Beyond a little jaded
All gone like my faded blue jeans
Beyond a little jaded
All gone like my faded blue jeans

The pain I’m in – my oldest friend
Like a second skin – so worn in
Since I don’t know when – the shape I’m in

Yeah the truth is…
It might kill me to see it end

All gone…
Yeah, I’ve been down
so low so long
Must have cried the blues
right out of
my jeans

Must have cried the blues
right out of
my jeans…

DOWNLOAD BOX: https://app.box.com/s/9d8lc2csx5if1f7fonjt0e5nd7txztiw

DISCO: https://s.disco.ac/kkkshvcdvima

PUBLISHING
Reid Jamieson 33%
Carolyn Victoria Mill 33%
Johnny Irion – Rte 8 Music ASCAP 17% 246509952
Gwen A Lurie ASCAP writer #6675199 17%
ISRC CAR402600001