“Something Good”
written 8.14.16
prompt: nothing in my arms
assigned by: song game
Downloads:
wav
cover art
In October I will be performing at a special benefit - an annual concert raising funds for Survive2Thrive, Austin local advocates to improve the lives of domestic violence survivors. I was thrilled to be asked, but when the director asked me to send over one of my original "inspirational songs" I couldn't think of anything appropriate. Enter: song game!
Our phrase that week was "nothing in my arms." In one of those detached thought enlightenment moments in the shower or while driving, I kinda came up with a couplet or two to a little 12/8 bluesy/jazzy traditional thing à la "someone new on my mind" - but I wanted to accomplish two things: 1) To try to give at least some kind of real storytelling detail about living with domestic violence without being cheesy, or too "telling" vs. "showing," and without going down the Billie Holiday trail of getting too into "he beats me but I can't help but love him" which I felt would be easier but a bit of a cop-out, a little outdated, and not very empowering, which leads me to- 2) try to write something uplifting and hopeful that might empower a DV survivor but that could be relatable enough and ear-pleasing enough for other people to get something out of. I knew I didn't have to write anything specifically directed or inspired by this subject but thought it would be a good challenge and something that could maybe help others process their grief.
This song marks an interesting turning point in my writing I think, because even some of my more happy songs have a little "but..." in them (either in the "I'm happy but how long will it last?" way, or "I'm happy, but- oh- what pain I've known til now!" way). Maybe I've been so deeply saturated in the “New Thought” of the church where I sing on Sundays that I'm finally fully saturated in the positivity(!), but, spiritually speaking, I've grown significantly this year, and, as I've mentioned in past posts, have been actively attempting to see light where I used to insist on seeing shadow. While this song definitely has its roots in sadness, there is a definite "knowing" in that things work out if you can focus your mind on what you want and accept your divine value and self-worth (whatever that means to you).
This is of course first-pass so I will tighten it up a bit but I am pretty pleased with the result. The detail I chose was about seeing cop-car lights in the middle of the night- as that is one thing I vividly remember from my experience living in a home with domestic violence.
the flashing lights
that sparkle blue and red at night
even if it's for the dozenth time
if I keep faith
I know something good is on the way.
rewards access:
