After years of searching for songs, Lana found 12 great songs for her debut CD. Out of all of the songs, she thought that “Be Careful What You Wish For” would be a catchy and easy to remember title for the CD. It was hard to narrow down the list of great songs, so some are being saved to record on the next CD. The internet played a major role in the completion of her first CD. She used it extensively to network with other songwriters and producers. In exchange for her demo tape she requested their song demos.

In the search to find songs for her CD, she received hundreds of tapes. Of the 12 she recorded, seven were from those tapes. Four came from albums of other female country artists like Lari White, Lisa Brokop and Olivia Newton-John. Of those four songs, none are believed to have ever been released to radio. The last song is a country-pop remake of an 80's dance hit by Exposé. Lyrics and credits are all listed below.

A free MP3 download is available of the entire Christmas song written by Rick Paul called “It Started in a Manger”. We want to hear what you think of the song, so please e-mail your feedback about this song. Be sure to check back for links to songwriters’ and publishers’ sites (as they become available).

MP3 audio clips of all the songs are now available! Download the audio clip by clicking on the link next to the song title. Buy the CD today and get the full versions of all the songs! A poster and all song lyrics are included with the CD. You can also listen to Lana's new jukebox by clicking here.

If you are a songwriter and/or publisher with a song on this CD and would like a link to your site to be added, please e-mail your web site’s URL and any additional information or interesting stories about your song.

Subscribe to the Lana Kress e-mail list for late-breaking news!

A new CD is coming out soon. Stay tuned to this website for details or subscribe to Lana's email list to receive an invitation to the CD Release Party.

1. Long Night [3:09] | lyrics | audio clip (MP3 format) |
Michelle McAfee/Mark Elliott/Templeton Thompson
©1997 Maypop Music (BMI)/Edisto Sound, Inc. (BMI)

2. Be Careful What You Wish For [3:54] | lyrics | audio clip (MP3 format) |
Larry Wayne Clark/Marc Rossi/Lisa Brokop
©1999 Brainchild Music (SOCAN)/Marc My Words Music (ASCAP)/WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)

3. That’s Why I’m Walkin’ [3:04] | lyrics | audio clip (MP3 format) |
Lari White/John Rotch/Tim Kinsey
©1999 Almo Music Corp./LaSongs Publishing (ASCAP)/Hamstein Cumberland Music (BMI)

4. Dancin’ ’Round and ’Round [4:02] | lyrics | audio clip (MP3 format) |
Adam Mitchell
©1978 Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)

5. Sidetracked [3:06] | lyrics | audio clip (MP3 format) |
Larry Wayne Clark/Melanie Dyer
©1999 Brainchild Music (SOCAN)/Fanetta Music (ASCAP)

6. I Know Too Much [3:31] | lyrics | audio clip (MP3 format) |
Verlon Thompson/Suzi Ragsdale
©1993 EMI April Music Inc./Ides of March Music (ASCAP)/Ray Stevens Music (BMI)

7. If I’m Not Already Crazy [4:50] | lyrics | audio clip (MP3 format) |
Verlon Thompson/Suzi Ragsdale
©1993 EMI April Music Inc./Ides of March Music (ASCAP)/Ray Stevens Music (BMI)

8. Sorry, Sorry Won’t Work This Time [3:13] | lyrics | audio clip (MP3 format) |
Bob Dellaposta
©1996 My Three Kids Music (BMI)

9. Go On [3:22] | lyrics | audio clip (MP3 format) |
Lari White/Tom Shapiro/Chris Waters
©1994 Almo Music Corp./LaSongs Publishing (ASCAP)/Great Cumberland Music/Diamond Struck Music (BMI)

10. Step Away [4:15] | lyrics | audio clip (MP3 format) |
Lisa Ellis/Vernon Reynolds/Lana Kress
©1999 Luvalot Music (ASCAP)

11. Let Me Be The One [3:59] | lyrics | audio clip (MP3 format) |
Lewis A. Martineé
©1987 Screen Gems - EMI Music Inc./Panchin Publishing (BMI)

12. It Started in a Manger [3:37] | lyrics | download the song (mp3) |
Rick Paul
©1998 Closet Cowboy Music (ASCAP)

You think you’re hot
You think you’re hip
You think you’ve got the whole world at your fingertips

You think you’re sexy
You think you’re smart
You think that you can find your way into any girl’s heart

You wanna fool me with your masquerade
But I can see you comin’ from a mile away

It’s gonna be a long night
Anything can happen
When two hearts go head to head
It’s been a long time
Baby, I’m ready
Give me everything you’ve got and hold on tight
I think we’re in for a long night

I’m lettin’ go
You’re givin in
I know this time we’re both gonna win

You met your match
I found my weakness
We’ve got more than desire goin’ on between us

Close the curtains when the sun comes up
’Cause eight hours just ain’t enough

It’s gonna be a long night
Anything can happen
When two hearts go head to head
It’s been a long time
Baby, I’m ready
Give me everything you’ve got and hold on tight

I think we’re in for a long night

Musical interlude

Don’t start somethin’ that you can’t finish
There’s no goin’ back, Baby, once we’re in it

It’s gonna be a long night
Anything can happen
When two hearts go head to head
It’s been a long time
Baby, I’m ready
Give me everything you’ve got and hold on tight
I think we’re in for a long night

2. Be Careful What You Wish For [3:54] | audio clip (MP3 format) |
Larry Wayne Clark/Marc Rossi/Lisa Brokop
©1999 Brainchild Music (SOCAN)/Marc My Words Music (ASCAP)/WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)

Sixteen candles burnin’ bright
I made a wish someday I’d find
My night in shining armour as I blew the candles out
If only I knew then what I know now

The sweetest rose may hide the sharpest thorn
The bluest sky of summer may conceal the darkest storm
A heartache is the nightmare a dream can turn into
So be careful what you wish for, It might come true

He stole my heart with just one smile
My future flashed before my eyes
The promise of forever held me captive in his arms
Now I wish I’d never known his reckless charms

Repeat Chorus

Bridge: I should thank him for the lessons that he taught
‘Cause I’ll be a little wiser next time love decides to knock

Repeat Chorus

Tag: Be careful what you wish for, it might come true

3. That’s Why I’m Walkin’ [3:04] | audio clip (MP3 format) |
Lari White/John Rotch/Tim Kinsey
©1999 Almo Music Corp./LaSongs Publishing (ASCAP)/Hamstein Cumberland Music (BMI)

What do you mean, "Where am I goin’?"
Why do you look so surprised?
You haven’t heard a word I’m sayin’
So, Darlin’, let me emphasize

You oughtta know I ain’t been talkin’
To hear the sound of my own voice
Well I’ve tried to make a point
Now I’ve made a choice

That’s why I’m walkin’
That’s why I’m walkin’
Well I can’t take
The love we don’t make, anymore

Begged and sighed, plead and cried
Tried that all before
Hasn’t made a bit of difference
That’s for sure

I ain’t getting’ nowhere by talkin’
That’s why I’m walkin’

What does it take to make you listen
I used to whisper in your ear
Now I gotta raise a ruckus
And you still don’t seem to hear

I tried talkin’ to your mamma
Talked to my best friend, too
I even called talk radio
Got everybody listenin’ but you

That’s why I’m walkin’
That’s why I’m walkin’
Well I can’t take
The love we don’t make, anymore

Begged and sighed, plead and cried
Tried that all before
Hasn’t made a bit of difference
That’s for sure

I ain’t getting’ nowhere by talkin’
That’s why I’m walkin’

Begged and sighed, plead and cried
Tried that all before
Hasn’t made a bit of difference
That’s for sure

I ain’t getting’ nowhere by talkin’
That’s why I’m walkin’
That’s why I’m walkin’
That’s why I’m walkin’…

4. Dancin’ ’Round and ’Round [4:02] | audio clip (MP3 format) |
Adam Mitchell
©1978 Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)

I’m gonna go out tonight
Gonna feel all right
If it tears me right in two
’Cause I just can’t stay
Feelin’ this way
With a heart that’s full of you

I’m gonna go right down
To a part of town
Where I’ve never been before
And in some small place
Find a brand new face
And step out on the floor

And I’ll be dancin’
Round and round
And I’ll be satisfied
If I can just hold my ground
And if he helps me
To keep your memory down
I’ll be dancin’
Round and round

Well you put some distance ’round you
I know I’m meant to see
There’s a space inside for someone
But I know it isn’t me

So among the boys who are searchin’
And the girls who hope they’re found
If you look for me
I’m the one you’ll see
Who’s dancin’ round and round

And I’ll be dancin’
Round and round
And I’ll be satisfied

If I can just hold my ground
And if he helps me

To keep your memory down
I’ll be dancin’
Round and round

Come on music
Wash my tears away
Come on darkness
Cover up the day

Dancin’
Round and round
And I’ll be satisfied
If I can just hold my ground
And if he helps me
To keep your memory down
I’ll be dancin’
Round and round

I’ll be dancin’
Round and round

5. Sidetracked [3:06] | audio clip (MP3 format) |
Larry Wayne Clark/Melanie Dyer
©1999 Brainchild Music (SOCAN)/Fanetta Music (ASCAP)

I made a list I can’t find
Important things to do with my time
I try to read, I lose my place
I’ve lost the keys to my car
Can’t finish nothin’ I start
Sittin’ here starin’ into space

Chorus: Baby, I’m sidetracked by your love
You got my mind all scrambled up
I just drop what I’m doin’
Forget what it was
I get sidetracked by your love

I dreamed you were here in my arms
Must’ve slept right through the alarm
Stumbled into work ten minutes late
Paperwork piled up to do
Phone rings, I’m hopin’ it’s you
Sure makes it hard to concentrate

Repeat Chorus

Bridge: I’m a distracted fool
Can’t keep my thoughts off you
What can I do?

Repeat Chorus

Tag: I get sidetracked
Derailed and that’s a fact
Baby, I’m sidetracked by your love

6. I Know Too Much [3:31] | audio clip (MP3 format) |
Verlon Thompson/Suzi Ragsdale
©1993 EMI April Music Inc./Ides of March Music (ASCAP)/Ray Stevens Music (BMI)

You live and learn, crash and burn
And come out of the ashes even more alive
You make your mistakes, whatever it takes
But know when to hit the brakes and when to let it slide

You can come cryin’ on my shoulder
But don’t ask me to show you the way
As I get wiser as I get older
It seems like I’ve got less to say

Chorus: I know too much, I’ve seen the light
And I’ve been lost in the shadow of doubt
I know too much to give up on love
And I know too much to ever try to figure it out

What would I do, if I were you
Take my advice don’t take advice from me
There’s no wrong or right, no black or white
Just shades of gray as far as I can see

Promises, rules and hearts get broken
Plans and minds and people change
One door slams and another door opens
Don’t ask me, I can’t explain

Repeat chorus

Yeah I know too much, I’ve seen the light
And I’ve been lost in the shadow of doubt
I know too much to give up on love
And I know too much to ever try to figure it out
Well I know too much to ever try to figure it out

7. If I’m Not Already Crazy [4:50] | audio clip (MP3 format) |
Verlon Thompson/Suzi Ragsdale
©1993 EMI April Music Inc./Ides of March Music (ASCAP)/Ray Stevens Music (BMI)

I’m walkin’ down this empty street, I don’t know where I am or where I’m goin’
I keep turnin’ corners to keep the pain that follows me confused
And I’m talkin’ to myself so I don’t hear his voice on every wind that’s blowin’
And if I’m not already crazy, my mind is all that I have left to lose

Gone without a warning, the thing I loved the most
What he couldn’t tell me, heaven only knows
This hour of the morning, as I stumble on
I can almost hear my spirit, breaking with the dawn

I’m walkin’ down this empty street, I don’t know where I am or where I’m goin’
I keep turnin’ corners to keep the pain that follows me confused
And I’m talkin’ to myself so I don’t hear his voice on every wind that’s blowin’
And if I’m not already crazy, my mind is all that I have left to lose

Out here in the darkness, the shadows come to life
How long can I balance, on the sharp edge of the knife

I’m walkin’ down this empty street, I don’t know where I am or where I’m goin’
I keep turnin’ corners to keep the pain that follows me confused
And I’m talkin’ to myself so I don’t hear his voice on every wind that’s blowin’
And if I’m not already crazy, my mind is all that I have left to lose

And if I’m not already crazy, my mind is all that I have left…to lose

8. Sorry, Sorry Won’t Work This Time [3:13] | audio clip (MP3 format) |
Bob Dellaposta
©1996 My Three Kids Music (BMI)

I’m not the kind of woman
Who won’t stand by her man
So when you begged me on your knees
I gave you one more chance

But your runnin’ ’round
Dragged me down
Right into goodbye
Sorry, sorry won’t work this time

Save your apologies
That dog won’t run again
Don’t come scratchin’ on my door
’Cause I won’t let you in

You can swear you’ve learned your lesson
Cross your heart and hope to die
Sorry, sorry won’t work this time

You want me to forgive and forget
I’ll forgive myself for lovin’ you
Forget we ever met
Don’t look at me with crocodile tears in your eyes
Sorry, sorry won’t work this time

No thank you for the roses
It’s too late for that
You’ve got a snowball’s chance in…
Well, I just don’t want you back

Now that my eyes are open wide
I see that loves not blind
Sorry, sorry won’t work this time

You want me to forgive and forget
I’ll forgive myself for lovin’ you
Forget we ever met
Don’t look at me with crocodile tears in your eyes
Sorry, sorry won’t work this time

You can swear you’ve learned your lesson
Cross your heart and hope to die
Sorry, sorry won’t work this time
Sorry, sorry won’t work this time
Sorry…sorry won’t work this time

9. Go On [3:22] | audio clip (MP3 format) |
Lari White/Tom Shapiro/Chris Waters
©1994 Almo Music Corp./LaSongs Publishing (ASCAP)/Great Cumberland Music/Diamond Struck Music (BMI)

You talk to me with one eye on the door
You lie beside me with one foot on the floor
You’re always goin’
You’re never gone
Well "So long" shouldn’t take so long

Go on, go on
Go on, go on go
Why don’t you…
Go on, go on
Go on, go on go

I know it’s just a matter of time
So if it’s over, Baby, let’s just call it a night
I can take it, if you leave
But this waitin’ ’round is killin’ me

Go on, go on
Go on, go on go
Why don’t you…
Go on, go on
Go on, go on go

I’ve just been spinnin’ my wheels
Tryin’ not to drive you away
Your heart is already gone
So what’s the use, in makin’ you stay

Go on, go on
Go on, go on go
Why don’t you…
Go on, go on
Go on, go on go

Repeat chorus

10. Step Away [4:15] | audio clip (MP3 format) |
Lisa Ellis/Vernon Reynolds/Lana Kress
©1999 Luvalot Music (ASCAP)

Lately, I’ve been feeling so alone
We barely speak at all these days
Your heart’s not here even when you’re home
I can almost hear the goodbye you’re about to say

And I won’t try to stop you
If you really think you need to leave
Go to her if you want to
But before you say that word, will you do one thing
…one thing for me

Step away, take some time
Think about what’s on your mind
‘Cause you can’t take back what you’re about to say
If you let go of these ties that bind
Just to look for something that you may not find
You can never turn back, that’s a track that runs one way
So before you say goodbye, baby, step away

When I think about how it used to be
It’s clear there’s something wrong
It may be you, it may be me
Or maybe there was something all along

Something that we should’ve seen right from the start
That said this love won’t last
But everything that’s in my heart
Says that if we try we can get back what we had
…I know we can

Repeat Chorus

I don’t know, if you want
To try to find, the love that we once knew
If you don’t, I’ll be all right
But I’m still here right now, if you do
…it’s up to you

Repeat Chorus

11. Let Me Be The One [3:59] | audio clip (MP3 format) |
Lewis A. Martineé
©1987 Screen Gems - EMI Music Inc./Panchin Publishing (BMI)

Sometimes people play with love
Falling in love is just a game
Don’t think I don’t know love
You’ll never be alone again

(Let me) show you how I feel
(Be the one) that I need so much
(Let me) give you what is real
(Be the one) that I long to touch

Only you can make me feel this way
I give you all, come on let’s get away
This love I feel will never ever fade
I give you more and more, so

(Let me be the one) to hold on to the dream
(Let me be the one) you can trust me at any time
(Let me be the one) Give you all my love
(Let me be the one) to feel your tender touch

The first time that I saw you there
Thought I knew you from before
Promise me you will never leave
’Cause I will never let you go

(Let me) hold you close to me
(Be the one) because our love is strong
(Let me) fill the need in me
(Be the one) together we belong

Only you can make me feel brand new
I can feel it in my heart your love is true
Together we are one instead of two
I want you more and more, so

(Let me be the one) to hold on to the dream
(Let me be the one) you can trust me at any time
(Let me be the one) I want to give you all my love
(Let me be the one) let me be the one

Only you can make me feel this way
I give you all, come on let’s get away
This love I feel will never ever fade
I give you more and more, so

(Let me be the one) to hold on to the dream
(Let me be the one) you can trust me at any time
(Let me be the one) to give you all my love
(Let me be the one) and feel your tender touch

(Let me be the one) to hold on to the dream
(Let me be the one) you can trust me at any time

12. It Started in a Manger [3:37] | download song (mp3) |
Rick Paul
©1998 Closet Cowboy Music (ASCAP)

Walkin’ down the downtown streets
I see twinkling Christmas lights
And the tinsel on the Christmas trees
Sparkles in the night
There’s a corner Santa advertisin’
The sale at the corner store
And the streets are trimmed in red and green
With wreathes on every door

Chorus: But it started in a manger
One cold wintry night
No tinseled trees, no Santa Claus
No twinkling Christmas lights
And the Babe was born on a bed of hay
While the ox and lamb looked on
There were no presents under a tree
That first cold Christmas dawn

Underneath the freeway ramp
A tall, dark figure stands
Rubbing palms beneath his nose
To try and warm his hands
And though he’ll have no bed tonight
No gifts under a tree
He knows Christmas is for him
The same as you and me

Chorus: But it started in a manger
One cold wintry night
No tinseled trees, no Santa Claus
No twinkling Christmas lights
And the Babe was born on a bed of hay
While the ox and lamb looked on
There were no presents under a tree
That first cold Christmas dawn

Musical interlude

Repeat chorus