It’s one of the age old questions songwriters get asked, which came first the words or the music? For my new record ‘STILL WITH ME’ it started with an email.
I’ve worked with Carmen for a number of years on various different projects, but I have to say I was surprised when I got an email from her telling me she had written a song, well not exactly a song but a poem that she would love to have set to music.
Now that raised a number of issues. At the start of the year we sit down and work out how and when we are going to release new music. These days its actually quite mathematical. The way the streaming services work you need to release at regular intervals to keep ‘tickling’ the magical algorithm.
You then have to consider how to balance the release of ballads and up tempo songs. Releases are also governed by the calendar. November will see a Christmas release, even though the song hasn’t been written yet, and from the summer onwards we need a big record we can use to promote our annual concert at the Swansea Grand Theatre in November.
Carmen explained the story behind her lyric…
“This song came from grief and loss, but also hope. It’s about those moments when life feels incredibly hard, but over time you begin to find light again. It’s a reminder that the people we love are still with us — in memories, in moments and in the love they leave behind. I’ve experienced loss in very personal ways, and I wanted to gently reflect that without it defining the message.”
I printed out her words and sat at the piano. I’m not embarrassed to say I could feel the tears streaming down my face as the words and music came together. I sent Carmen a quick piano and vocal demo and waited. 5 minutes later Carmen called me also in tears. But what about making a record?
I had a busy few weeks but managed to find a space in the studio diary to complete a proper recording. We then checked the diary and felt we could add this additional record into our release schedule. Yesterday ‘STILL WITH ME’ started its journey into the world. It goes with our love and the hope that it’s message might help others going through the journey of bereavement.
There is nothing new in wanting to remember those we have loved and lost. For thousands of years human beings have raised monuments or statues or created special places of remembrance. This week I have seen 2 very special examples of honouring a memory and taking the sadness of loss to create something beautiful.
Robert Francis Davies was a Swansea giant. I had known him for maybe over 40 years. He was a business man, a politician and a mentor to many… and he loved Swansea. My first connection was through a musical I had written called ‘Copper Kingdom’. It’s all very well telling people you want to produce a show, but it needs supporters and it needs champions. I remember meeting Robert and giving him a cassette of songs from the proposed show. The musical was set in the smoke and dirt of the Copper Industry at the turn of the last century.
As soon as he heard the songs Robert was convinced that this was something the city should support. There wasn’t a lot of spare money around even back then, but Robert made some calls and opened the doors to allow the production to find a home at the Swansea Grand and of course he was there cheering us from the Grand Circle on opening night.
Robert touched so many lives and it was wonderful to see Swansea Minster full for his funeral on Wednesday. The afternoon was full of heartfelt tributes from the world of politics and business and of course his much loved family. It was appropriate that the wake was held at the Swansea.Com stadium. Robert was one of the visionaries who saw the potential for a world class Stadium on the old abandoned Copper Works. Not only did he have the dream, he helped make that dream come true.
There are so many different things in our city that will be his legacy; the stadium, the Arena, so many children’s parks across the region but his family want his work to continue. With that in mind they are setting up a charity to raise money to support children in the area follow their dreams. I’m sure Robert would be delighted to know his work goes on.
Later today I will be back at the Swansea.Com stadium for another very special event to remember a little lad and raise money to help others. I’ll be hosting Wales vs Europe in a charity football match that will bring back so many Swansea legends all in aid of the charity ‘Joseph’s Smile’.
The charity was created in memory of a little boy named Joseph who sadly passed away in 2021.
In Joseph’s legacy, the family are committed to helping other families who have to fund treatment/equipment that’s not currently available on the NHS.
To date the charity has given grants of over £200,000 to access lifesaving or life changing medical treatment or equipment.
This afternoon footballers will gather from all over the world to have fun playing together again in a wonderful stadium that Robert Francis Davies helped create. We will remember a little lad who touched so many people with his smile while he was with us and who now touches so many lives with the money raised in his memory.
I understand why we do this because as we keep the memory alive somehow our loved ones are still very much with us.