I Wanna Believe
Everything you might possibly want to know about my third album. But especially lyrics!
For buy links, see my “music” page.
All songs written by Mary Strand (BMI) © 2026 except “Red Velvet Suit,” co-written by Sarah Morris (ASCAP) and Mary Strand; “Cheer Up (It's Xmas),” co-written by Ted Hajnasiewicz (ASCAP) and Mary Strand; “True North,” co-written by Doyle Turner (BMI) and Mary Strand; “Lights May Be Twinkling,” co-written by Katy Tessman (BMI) and Mary Strand; “One More Christmas Song,” co-written by Amanda B. Perry (ASCAP) and Mary Strand.
Mary Strand – lead vocals, electric guitar
Ryan Smith - electric guitar (except tracks 7, 10), 12-string electric guitar (track 8), acoustic guitar (tracks 4, 7, 8, 10), 12-string acoustic guitar (track 8), pedal steel (sort of) (track 4), percussion (track 7), glockenspiel (track 8), string arrangement (track 10), vocals
Mark Wade - bass (except track 4), upright bass (track 4), sleigh bells (track 1), vocals
Peter Anderson - drums (except track 1), congas (track 7)
Jack Strand – drums on track 1
Tommy Barbarella - piano on track 10
Sarah Morris - vocals on track 4
Ted Hajnasiewicz - lead vocals on track 5
Doyle Turner - lead vocals on track 7
Katy Tessman - lead vocals on track 8
Amanda B. Perry - lead vocals on track 10
Released by Hygh Tension Records (TLG)/Virgin Music Group
Produced by Ryan Smith, Mark Wade, and Mary Strand
Recorded at Flight Simulator, Time Capsule Studio, Peter Anderson Drums, and Flowers Studio
“I Wanna Believe” engineered by Kris Johnson at Flowers StudioMixed by Ryan Smith
“I Wanna Believe” mixed by Ryan Smith
All songs except “I Wanna Believe” by Kris Johnson at Logan Manor
Mastered by Greg Reierson at Rare Form Mastering
Photography for album artwork by a motley assortment of friends and relatives
Graphic design for album by LB Hayden
ALL MY THANKS to Ryan, Mark, and Peter ... aka The Garage.
Special thanks to Hygh Tension Records, The Label Group, Virgin Music Group, Jack Strand, Terry Isachsen, Kirk Hall, Mark Ostlund, Laura Hayden, Dan Michener, Steve Seskin, Niels Schroeter, Janet Thompson, Darron Hemann, Dennis Sanders, Cecilia Dupey, Sam Roskoski, Marc Platt, Krista Vilinskis, Brad Gunnarson (Copycats Media), Singer/Songwriter Songwriting Challenge, Pony Hixon-Smith, Tom Fraser, Jon Clifford, Glenn Frey, Santa Claus.
1: I Wanna Believe
VERSE 1
All these years I've tried to get through
my head
The idea of Santa, reindeer, and a sled
Cruising the globe in one night with
toys
Down chimneys so tight just to thrill
girls and boys
CHORUS
I wanna believe that some day I'll
receive
The perfect gift for me
But is love, true love, too big to fit
under my tree?
Is my heart on my sleeve?
'Cause I wanna believe
VERSE 2
Santa, tell me you're not forgetting my
guitar
Was it you the year I got the rubber
mat for my car?
Or the beanbag game on someone
else's wish list?
You should be ashamed, 'cause I'm still
kinda pissed
CHORUS
BRIDGE
I don't ask for much except a car with a
clutch
And I can buy that on my own
But I don't know why the perfect guy
Never appears, not even on loan
VERSE 3
So would you please promise me this
is the year
You'll bring me a Lancelot worthy of
my Guinevere
Make him funny and kind, but it
wouldn't be remiss
If he's brutally hot and knows how to
kiss
CHORUS
I wanna believe that some day I'll
receive
The perfect gift for me
But is love, true love, too big to fit
under my tree?
Is my heart on my sleeve?
'Cause I wanna believe
I wanna believe
4: Red Velvet Suit
– feat. Sarah Morris
VERSE 1
The whole world over there's no other
man
Who can do what you can, so you're in
high demand
And this time of year you disappear
Leaving me all alone here; I don't like it
a bit, my dear
PRE 1
Yes I know you're out there doing what
your job requires
Taking care of everyone's deepest
desires
But you're forgetting that I’m up here
at home
And I’ve written a list of my very own
Should I send it in the mail or whisper it
under the mistletoe oh oh oh
CHORUS
It’s pretty simple, but here’s the truth
(ho ho ho ho)
What I want can only come from you
(ho ho ho ho)
What I want is what you've got under
that red velvet suit
VERSE 2
Across the planet, there are a billion
kids
Who can’t close their sweet eyelids
anticipating shiny gifts
They asked for ponies or a unicorn, a
pretty dress that’s never been worn
You make magic on Christmas morn
PRE 2
So I’m thinking you might save some
of that magic for me
Find a way to make some time to meet
your true love’s needs
We’ve been married a millennium, our
story’s been told
But just this once may I be so bold and
ask that you consider staying close
Cuz late December gets oh so co-oh
old
CHORUS
BRIDGE
See I’ve been good, see I’ve been nice
A little naughty maybe once or twice
(twice; I mean, probably 3 times) (4
or 5?)
I’m not looking for ribbons and bows
Just a few more moments with the
one I cho-oh-oh-ose
CHORUS
It’s pretty simple, but here’s the truth
(ho ho ho ho)
What I want can only come from you
(ho ho ho ho)
What I want is what you've got under
that red velvet --
What I want is what you've got under
that red velvet --
What I want is what you've got under
that red velvet suit
7: True North
– feat. Doyle Turner
VERSE 1
I sat behind her, two rows back
Found trouble folded in her lines of red
and black
Met in the hall, next thing we’re
skipping school
Before I knew it, she had me breaking
every rule
PRE
The lines move and shift
Sharing dreams is a gift
CHORUS
Puppy love to velvet suits
Jingle bells and sooty boots
Snowy nights and mistletoe - whoa
whoa whoa
Love wrapped with a big red bow
VERSE 2
He flashed those eyes of stormy blue
Slid me a roguish wink and, yeah, I
came unglued
Stole my heart, felt like the perfect
crime
A saint to my sinner, he appeared in
the nick of time
PRE
CHORUS
VERSE 3
As years went on, we became Santa
and the missus
Made lots of toys and shared even
more kisses
Played reindeer games across the sky,
back and forth
In each other we found our true north
PRE
CHORUS
Puppy love to velvet suits
Jingle bells and sooty boots
Snowy nights and mistletoe - whoa
whoa whoa
Love wrapped with a big red bow
Love wrapped with a big red bow
Love wrapped with a big red bow
LYRICS
2: Love Without Strings
VERSE 1
Yet another silent night
But it sure ain't calm, let alone bright
As I scribble lists and check them
twice
I couldn't care less who's naughty or
nice
Green gifts for him, expensive for her
And a week from now, it'll just be a blur
CHORUS
I long for you but you're not there
The peace I crave, joy I remember
Love without strings filling the air
Why can't you be here, see what
December brings
Please send me love without strings
VERSE 2
Gifts are wrapped and under the tree
Unicorns, hoverboards, insanity
Meringues in the oven, wine in my
hand
So many things I finally understand
Christmas, a holiday like no other
Is when I feel most like my mother
CHORUS
BRIDGE
A Fraser fir or a huge blue spruce
Spending too much for a fragile truce
Next year, I swear, I'll make a new start
That doesn't involve a shopping cart
CHORUS
5: Cheer Up (It’s Xmas)
– feat. Ted Hajnasiewicz
VERSE 1
We broke the windows in the den
when we put up that damn tree
The stockings caught on fire, and rum
balls make me sneeze
Uncle Larry gets real scary with his
homemade recipes
Be careful what you eat at our holiday
deep freeze
VERSE 2
Aunt Linda’s in your business, and
Grandpa's lost his mind
Cousin Pete seems sweet, but he'll rob
you blind
The little kids look scared, the
teenagers resigned
Be careful who you bring; this is no
time to unwind
CHORUS
Oh cheer up, it’s Christmas, stuffed
with family
No one said it'd be easy; dysfunction
don't come free
VERSE 3
That eggnog's looking rancid, like all
the people here
The hot dish is chock full of things that
rotted out last year
Whiskey is the reason for Uncle
Frank's good cheer
Be careful with your purse, 'cause it
just might disappear
CHORUS
Oh cheer up, it’s Christmas, stuffed
with family
No one said it'd be easy; dysfunction
don't come free
BRIDGE
Fa la la la la la la la la la la x 2
VERSE 4
This nightmare's winding down, just
like Great Aunt Sue
The only one who took a nap just
turned ninety-two
We survived another Christmas, but
we're black and blue
The thought of doing this again gives
me stomach flu
CHORUS
Oh cheer up, it's Christmas; no
reindeer's running you down
Santa's drunk as a skunk, and he's
pulling his pants down
Cheer up, it's Christmas, and you want
it to end, we know
But please set down that carving knife
and let poor Granny go
OUTRO
Cheer up, it's Christmas, stuffed with
family
No one said it'd be easy, but this is
agony
Fa la la la la la, fa la la la la
Cheer up, it's Christmas; it's not too
late to run free
8 - Lights May Be Twinkling
– feat. Katy Tessman
VERSE 1
Toboggan rides onto iced-over creeks
Frozen fingers and rosy-red cheeks
The years fly past, but this feeling
stays
Warming us like cider on wintry days
VERSE 2
Tales of Kris Kringle near a crackling
fire
Toasty warm socks, fresh from the
dryer
Last-minute wrapping of last-minute
gifts
And rescuing cars from deep snow
drifts
CHORUS
Lights may be twinkling, the kids' eyes
are bright
But it's family that brings us together
tonight
Being with you is the heart of the
season
And that's more than enough of a
reason
VERSE 3
Awaiting the arrival of those not here
yet
And thinking of those who we won't
soon forget
Moments we cherish without asking
why
But they melt like snowflakes in the
blink of an eye
PARTIAL CHORUS
Lights may be twinkling, the kids' eyes
are bright
But it's family that brings us together
tonight
BRIDGE
Sleepy talks at sunrise, planning out
our day
Jigsaw puzzles, ice skates, or an
afternoon matinee
Laughter in the kitchen, stories told
anew
Every little moment makes me grateful
for you
CHORUS
10: One More Christmas Song
– feat. Amanda B. Perry
VERSE 1
The tree is down, the stockings put away
Tied a bow upon another holiday
Crossed the miles and mended fences so that we
Could make our dreams from yester-year complete
CHORUS
Let’s have one more Christmas song
With family gathered around and singing along
It looks so different with each passing year but so thankful to be
here
Let’s just have one more Christmas song
VERSE 2
Now the memories from our childhood always start
And there's laughter through the tears to fill our hearts
We may be different in beliefs, but not in love
Lighting candles heals the broken; it’s enough
CHORUS
BRIDGE
Now the snow has started falling, makes me think of all of you
This December by the fire will be here soon
We’ll trim the tree, spin the dreidel, share a meal around the table
All our stories come together; last thing to do
CHORUS
Let’s have one more Christmas song
With family gathered around and singing along
It looks so different with each passing year but so thankful to be
here
Let’s just have one more Christmas song
Oh, one more Christmas song
Everybody, everybody gathered around and singing along
It looks so different with each passing year
But so thankful to be here
Let's just have one more Christmas song
One more Christmas song, oooh
One more Christmas...
3: Crazy Hazy Daze
VERSE 1
The holiday crush is past, or at least
the flu
But the pine needles just might be
here to stay
Kids scatter back to Paris, the
basement, or school
And you wonder again if there's any
other way
VERSE 2
Gifts are all returned but some
ornaments broke
Fights were blessedly few and far
between
But gazes might've told a story that no
one spoke
Ironically, since you often felt unseen
CHORUS
In the over-hyped, wrapped-up, costs-
too-much
Crazy hazy daze of another Christmas
When you question yourself and those
you touch
When credit cards can't buy what you
miss
It's time to lose the stress and all the
rest
VERSE 3
The stockings are all empty now, much
like you
But you lie to yourself that it's a brand-
new day
You're holding it all together with
Elmer's glue
'Cause no one up there listens when
you pray
CHORUS
BRIDGE
You don't need all those clothes you
never chose
Or a partridge in a pear tree
You need a break, that's no mistake
Or next Christmas you'll just break free
CHORUS
6: Beyond the Madness
VERSE 1
Tinsel, rum balls, holiday lights
The same old, same old Christmas
scenes
Ornaments, stockings, pointless fights
Praying you still fit into your jeans
Everyday people scurrying by
Too many of them with a light-up tie
CHORUS
But beyond the madness you'll see
Gifts you won't find 'neath the tree
The wonder of a silent night
Love that isn't black or white
Friends who reach out after years
apart
Midnight talks that crack open your
heart
That's what Christmas feels like to me
VERSE 2
Inflatable penguins on the lawn
Furtive kisses under mistletoe
Missing someone who's long since
gone
Several broken hearts ago
Watching Die Hard, then Chevy Chase
With tears of laughter running down
your face
CHORUS
But beyond the madness you'll see
Gifts you won't find 'neath the tree
The wonder of a silent night
Love that isn't black or white
Friends who reach out after years
apart
That's what Christmas feels like to me
BRIDGE
When you're tied up in knots to get it
all done
Try to remember when Christmas was
fun
How laughter and shrieks filled the air
The happiest times you've known
anywhere
CHORUS
But beyond the madness you'll see
Gifts you won't find 'neath the tree
The wonder of a silent night
Love that isn't black or white
Friends who reach out after years
apart
Midnight talks that crack open your
heart
That's what Christmas feels like to me
That's what Christmas feels like to me
9 - Happy Holidays
VERSE 1
Christmas, sure, is the birth of Christ
Though it couldn't be more overpriced
But Santa, stockings, candy canes
And horse-drawn sleighs in snowy
lanes
Or maybe a week on a Vail chairlift
Can turn into the ultimate gift
CHORUS
Holidays filled with traditions and fun
Sharing our love in endless ways
Why should we celebrate just one?
Happy holidays, friends, happy
holidays
VERSE 2
Hanukkah, the festival of lights
With glowing candles for eight whole
nights
Spinning dreidels, chocolate gelt
And latkes 'til you loosen your belt
But if you'd rather Las Posadas
You'll get bunuelos and piñatas
CHORUS
VERSE 3
Late December is also Kwanzaa
With seven candles in the kinara
Winter solstice, the shortest day
So later sunsets from now on: yay!
Then New Year's and its Auld Lang
Syne
Too much champagne, and you go
offline
BRIDGE
Why would you — yes, you — declare
wars
Against people with beliefs different
from yours?
Why wreck their life or even their day
When all you need to do is walk away?
CHORUS