I first began writing songs when I was 14. Sometime around age 20, as I was surrounded by insanely talented composers and musicians, I redirected my “writing” towards an academic study of music. And I loved it – I still do. One of my greatest joys is getting to explore the stories behind music and how they make meaning in our world.
But the 2020 pandemic shut down my world, as it did for everyone else. And while writing about music still fed my intellectual soul, I found myself needing another outlet for communicating feelings and emotions. Even when I had taken a hiatus from writing music, I still could make music and perform it with and for others. I could still be expressive creatively and communicate through song. I began to miss making music and within two months, I had started writing songs again.
My first song was a piece for the 8th grade graduation at my daughter’s school. One of the students sang it for her class and it was nice to hear something I had created be put into the world. Within months, I had written several songs and pieces of songs, recording rough sketches on my phone and transcribing chords and lyrics into a notebook that had originally been intended for academic thoughts and analysis.
I wrote this particular song in August with my daughter at my side. For me, it is about the love of a parent and child – the total and complete love I had for my children when I first met them and what I hope for our relationship to be as time progresses. But it really can be any love that is permanent and unconditional.
It was inspired many months ago, upon finding out a dear friend was pregnant and the joy I felt for her and her family. I hope to eventually make a better recording, but as I comforted my daughter through a moment of frustration, I realized that this video represents so much of what this song means to me. It’s not a perfect performance, but it’s my reality and I think it captures a little of what I hope to share with this song.
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