This song was written about 5 years ago with my friends Barry Williams and Mona Bethke. Barry is my good friend and bass player, and his knowledge of chordal movement is simply excellent. Getting to play and write music with him is always a beloved learning experience. Mona is an incredibly talented spoken word poet (and friend) and she challenged me as a lyricist to explore every word and speak only what I mean, putting it in a cohesive story form. This songwriting experience changed the way I write songs forever, and is still one of my favorites. It caters itself to a Muscle Shoals sound, which is why we put it on this album, with a full horn section and backing vocals.
Story:
Sweet Memories was initially written as an anthem of devotion to someone's memory, namely my friend James, recognizing that they continue to find life in your reverence and song. As the years have passed, this song's meaning has evolved in my mind. I have found myself singing it for all the people I have lost at one point or another, and these days I find myself singing it for all of them all at once. I love this song for so many reasons, but mostly because the message has continuously rung true to me in that way over the years. There is a raw beauty in it's honesty and every time we play it live, I can see it in the faces of the audience- they know that feeling too. Few of us know how to reconcile those feelings and I'm grateful to be able to speak this truth in a way that resonates with people. I've lost much in my short life and it's been a difficult thing to rectify in my mind, but songs like this help me give my pain a place and a purpose and ultimately brings healing, which is the whole point. Music should be honest and move you, bringing about a sense of relief - hence the title to our album - Peace In Pieces.
Sweet Memories is an older song for us, and it is the only song on the album that we have previously recorded in the studio. We have 14 songs on this album, so we're not at a loss for material, I simply wanted to do this song justice by recording it in Muscle Shoals with the horn section because that's what it has always called for. I'm so glad we got to do it.
Barry Williams and I started this song when we got home from a show one night, and we had just found out that our friend James had passed away, so we decided to make this song for him. I wanted to respect his memory with a venture into a deeper poetic lyricism and I recruited the help of a friend who's poetry I greatly admire. Working with Mona on this song made my brain pretzel-bend as if we were solving some sort of linguistic MENSA puzzle with no right answer. She is a profound writer and challenged me on many levels. It was a turning point for me in my songwriting and I'm forever grateful for that experience. We all hope you enjoy the song as much as we do!
Sweet Memories
I found your picture this morning
and it brought a tear to my eye
cause I keep clinging to a lover
who's love was never mine
and I cried and cried
the whole night long
I'm hollow and run dry
I gotta keep holding on
and holding on (to your)
Sweet memories
of your hand in mine
and all that's left for me
is to say goodbye
say goodbye
You'll always be beside me
like a melody unbroken
a bittersweet reverie
of everlasting devotion
and I'll see your smiling eyes
when I sing your song
and you'll be in my heart and mind
and you'll be living on
and living on (in my)
Sweet memories
the cruelest kind
a melancholy daydream
of love that never dies
I've got your
sweet memories
a sweet reverie
sweet memories
I'll have you
cause you'll stay with me
and I cried and cried
the whole night long
I'm hollow and run dry
I gotta keep holding on
and holding on (to your)
Sweet memories
of your hand in mine
and all that's left for me
is to say goodbye
say goodbye
I've gotta say goodbye
say goodbye
say goodbye
say goodbye
New T-shirt Design:
Getting new shirts this week!!
Weekend Recap:
Thursday, April 4th-
Tampa Tap Room 8-11
Tampa Tap Room is always fun!!
Friday, April 5th-
Light attendance but a very enthusiastic crowd! Hopefully we'll get to play there again soon!
Saturday, April 6th-
Packed house and a wonderful night!! Thank you Tommy Lee Cook for having us back!!
Sunday, April 7th-
Good Sunday Revue w/ Damon Fowler
Damon is the literal best. The show was amazing, Thank you to all who came!!
Upcoming Shows:
Wednesday, April 10-
Hideaway Cafe' 7:30-10:30
Thursday, April 11- Tampa Tap Room 8-11
Friday, April 12-
Copperhead's Taphouse/ Troubled Waters Brewing 8:30-11:30
Saturday, March 30- Hideaway Cafe's 10 Year Anniversary 7-8