In the mid to late 70’s, my dad and uncle wrote a song that would later impact my life and songwriting journey in significant ways. I grew up hearing various versions of the song. I watched as my family grieved the loss of my uncle, and later as my dad rewrote the lyrics for this special song they shared. I watched as the song made its way to Nashville, garnering interest of industry pros like Mac Gayden (a long time family friend and songwriter of “everlasting love” and many other wonderful songs, played and recorded with JJ Cale, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Kris Kristofferson, and many more). I watched as it was showcased by a young artist at 3rd and Lindsley’s, among a small special crowd, including Norbert Putnam (producer for Dan Fogelberg and bass guitarist with Elvis Presley). I watched as it almost made its way in a Netflix placement. The little researcher and music lover in me watched and learned, having no idea God was molding me into a songwriter. I appreciated these moments more than ever, as it showed me again and again: the higher purpose of music rests in souls not stardom. Then I became a songwriter. My dad gave me his blessing to re-write this deeply meaningful song and make it my own. My dad and uncle wrote it on guitar. I moved it over to piano and modified the lyrics, but tried to keep the music as close to the original as possible. This timeless song still holds meaning, maybe even more now than ever.
Meaning Behind the Lyrics:
More often than we realize, our minds are held captive to deceit. Our perceptions are shaped insidiously over time by our experiences and inputs. We are subtly lured by partial truths, pulling us away from what is pure, real, and true. Before we know it, we build inauthentic lives on a bed of lies. Then we reach for convenient comforts to heal our unfulfillment. Consumerism, materialism, fame, superficiality—all wrapped in shiny packages to consume us whole and eat up our souls until we feel empty inside. We stay clung to the fleeting and finite; spellbound and earthbound. How do we shake it? How do we stay anchored and bound to what is True no matter how strongly the tide pulls us? This song invites us into a surrender to higher Truth, and away from the noise of the world that’s competing with our soul and its destiny.
Music and Lyrics by Rip Collins, Tom Collins, Lukelle
Produced and Mixed by Jay Speight
Mastered by Marcelo Pennell
Vocals: Lukelle
Programming: Jay Speight
📸 by Jeannie Frey Rhodes @jfrphotography
Recorded in - Spring Hill, TN