“Let You Go”
I write a song every week (almost) based on a prompt given in a group of select artists that is administered by my friend and mentor, Austin musician Bob Schneider.
The prompts vary from single words to entire phrases, and the idea is that the prompt must be included in the song for the week to keep us honest (like that the song was actually written that week). Sometimes it's painful to include the prompts and I'm usually thinking that I'll end up excluding it from a final revision, but often, the prompts end up being an integral or focal part of the piece. This week's prompt was "suggestions."
The songs are due on Sundays regardless of when the prompt is sent out (it was sent out on Friday this week). Most weeks I kind of sit on the phrase and turn it over for a while and spit something out on Sunday, the day it's due. Sometimes I do it a bit before. I like to have some time to conceptualize some ideas.
Admittedly this week was a little rough for me as I've been struggling with some health issues- I found myself at the ER Saturday night with an IV in my arm still completely unsure what to write about for Sunday's song. I even had to bow out of Easter Sunday service at the church where I work since I wasn't feeling up to par. I left the hospital with a somewhat inconclusive "suggestion" of what the problem might be.
I felt a little better on Sunday, and spent the day sleeping way more than I thought I needed. I was sad I didn't get to participate in Easter service since it's something I look forward to every year - though the stress of prepping that material and not feeling well I'm sure only exacerbated my physical problems.
I awoke around 5:30pm, drank some kombucha and sat down to write this little ditty. I was trying really hard not to completely rip off Fiona Apple's "The First Taste" which I was blasting pretty hard only a few nights before as I washed dishes... I love the beginning of that song - how misleadingly-simple the chromatic jazzy vocal melody over dissonant chords set up the tone of the piece, and how it goes into this really vibey latin groove for the rest of the tune. However, I was limited on time and knew I couldn't overthink it to get something turned in on time. While I was writing it I couldn't shake that the chorus melody sounded a bit like Lana Del Rey's "Young and Beautiful." Again, I wasn't feeling all that well so I had to power through and finish something.
I think there are some strengths in it that might be worth revisiting and reworking once I am feeling more myself. Almost immediately after turning this in to the group, I had another "attack" of severe pain - so I'm patiently waiting until I can get in to see a Doctor and hope that this isn't too serious. :(
Enjoy and here's to another week of ruminating, healing, and not falling prey to my mind's "suggestions."
Other rewards will be distributed in the coming days. Thank you for your support and patience!
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