My songwriting goal for 2017 is to write one song every month.
My first song, just squeaking in under the wire, is in the "advice to self" genre.
The main image is a storm, and the realization that the storm always passes over (the storm is passing over, the storm is passing over, hallelujah). There is also some old meditation influence in this song in the lyrics of the chorus, "Start again, with a calm and quiet mind". This is one of the main instructions of the vipassana meditation technique I practiced for many years, and indeed, this is what I have to do, though the storms come and go, I need to keep reminding myself to start again, start again, with a calm and quiet mind, start again. There's also a little bit of "there will be an answer, let it be" in the chorus as well. And of course, it's January. What better time to "start again".
The musical feel of this song was inspired by two songs by Ben Harper, entitled "Forever" and "Walk Away". I used the chord progressions, and a bit of the feel. These two songs kind of morphed into my own groove with a bit more of an edgy feel, as I wanted the song to feel a bit agitated and stormy.
Start Again
Moving through the stormy times
So many reasons I can't find the rhyme
All I need is some quiet and calm
To help me survive and keep moving on.
Start again, with a calm and quiet mind
Start again, just let everything unwind
Start again, and you will surely see
What will be will always be
What will be will always be.
Sometimes life is flowing and free
Still there's no hiding from difficulty
When everything round me comes crashing hard down
I fall on my knees, face to the ground.
Start again, with a calm and quiet mind
Start again, just let everything unwind
Start again, and I know I will see
What will be will always be
What will be will always be.
Life keeps on changing through days and through nights
After the darkness there always comes light
Infinite mind will heal my bleak heart
Every sunrise lets me find a new start.
Start again, with a calm and quiet mind
Start again, just let everything unwind
Start again, and you will surely see
What will be will always be
What will be will always be.
