I wrote this song several months ago, for Dare to Care's public programme,'Ways of Healing', in Bologna, but due to electioneering, I've only just had time to make a recording.
I went to Big Dog Studios, as usual, to work with the producer, James Fosberry. He plays a million instruments and really helps to bring the track to life. I wanted this particular song to have a more gentle and simple production to allow the lyrics to lead, whilst using the instrumentation to create some dynamic moments.
I like working with James, he's very easy to get on with and although we have our creative disagreements, we are able to resolve them amicably. I tried to keep the vocals as gentle as possible on this track, as I have a tendency to give a harsh edge to my delivery, which I am trying to do less, in general - but for this track, was particularly unsuitable.
I have an idea for a music video for this song, but it will be a long time coming. I am currently painting troll comments onto fabric, which I intend to turn into a dress, for a performance which involves "re-speaking" their hateful words. My plan was for a music video to come out of this dress / performance piece... But realistically it's going to be many months until I can do this, so in the meantime, I have created a lyrics video, so the song can sit on my YouTube:
LYRICS
VERSE 1
Are You Listening?
Are you feeling, with your soul? Can you though?
Are you distracted?
Can you make your heart whole? Is that your goal?
CHORUS 1
The cruelty of words,
Can leave you scarred and so alone,
A patchwork of memories,
In the darkness you have sewn
VERSE 2
There’s no protection,
From the harm, that some can do, that some have done,
It doesn’t matter, if you falter,
If you fall, you are not wrong,
So, take a moment, to remember,
And find your peace, your time will come,
Know the strength, that’s in your weakness,
There is light, hope has not gone
CHORUS 2
The cruelty of words,
Can leave you scarred and so alone,
A patchwork of memories,
In the darkness you have sewn,
Each tattered fragment,
Stitched together, laid on your bed,
And as you dream,
Soothe the storm that’s in your head
BRIDGE
I can teach you,
How to take a thread of empathy and let them be,
I can help you, to dry your eyes,
So, you can see, you have to let them be,
I can’t change you, but I can show you,
How to be free, and how to let them be
OUTRO
Hope will heal you,
And make sense of what was done,
You can learn from their hatred,
How to be kind, how to be strong
You can learn,
How to be kind, how to be strong
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