Behind The Song
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“BLUE”
This is the story behind my song “Blue”. This was one of the last songs I wrote for ‘Forest’, and it really means a lot to me.
I should probably preface that I have become very enamored with songwriters like Bacharach and singers like Dionne and Dusty over the last few years - especially the combo of Dionne singing Bacharach songs (guh, amazing). There is a quiet but confident sadness and strength that happens; like Dionne is telling me a great truth about life that I should have known all along. Those, my friend, are the type of songs I’ve always hoped to write. So with this song, I wanted to lean into writing something that felt effortless but carried a deeper truth or message, but with the confidence of the singers I mentioned. Here we land at “Blue”.
When I started writing this, my Mum was in care at a facility and doing okay, but declining. I’m sure many people reading this understand how difficult it is to have a loved one in hospice. I had recently been to Australia to visit my mum, but I felt like my sister was doing the greater job of taking care of her. Living in America made it difficult for me to be there as frequently as I wanted, while my amazing sister was able to be with mum often. So when I started writing this, I really wanted to say something for my sister and those loved ones and friends who carry a lot of burdens. Something that said I’m here for you and I’m there with you.
Writing something to express how you care for someone and feeling like I’m going through what they’re going through seemed like a story I wanted to write as it was happening to me. I knew it was probably something many other people have experienced too.
This is the story I penned to express those feelings, and musically I very much stayed in the jazz-inspired lane. I tried my best to keep the music and vocals in a measured, emotional form. Like I was holding back for the person I’m singing this for.
My producer, Howard, was very much into keeping this song jazz-inspired so it could stand on its own and be different. I was listening to Astrid Gilberto and newer artists like Madeleine Peyroux. It’s amazing what going down a listening rabbit hole will do!!!
Our good friend Tim Lauer created a masterful string arrangement. I just love how this song turned out. It makes me really proud to have another meaningful song I can share with you. I hope you enjoy it too.