Winter’s Song

Episode #115: Winter’s Song  (Song starts at 4:57) It was a cold day, back in 1999. I looked around the flat, saw and heard the rain in the trees outside the window. We had a heater like a back handed compliment: it blew air out, not nearly as warm as what was required..  So I started by writing:  ‘Raining in the trees, winters song….' Song #454 presented itself this week when I opened one of my song books. 'Winters Song'. I haven't thought of this one for years. But I like a bit of fun and thought: why not? For this episode I sang and played it - recalling the sections as I went along.  I also relate thoughts and things that were going on back when I wrote this song. The memories were awoken by music and lyrics.  It was a big thing to ‘jump the ditch’ (leave New Zealand and settle in Melbourne, Australia), back in 1997. I remember being on the plane as we flew in over Melbourne. All those orange tiled roofs, industrial areas, more housing ..on and on. It seemed to be a  huge place to someone from a small place like Palmerston North, New Zealand. I remember thinking ‘How the heck are we going to find somewhere to live, a job, etc?’… Anyhow, we'd been in Melbourne for a couple of years when I wrote this song.  On that winters day, my girlfriend (now wife) was at work. I was at home writing yet another song.  You've just got to make a start. You'll see just by writing the first verse, the whole song really got set up.  The subject? Sometimes you get frustrated along the way. For me in this case, I wasn't frustrated about songwriting. It was getting to me that I just didn't seem to have what it takes to share my music to a wider audience.  I remember I was waiting on a call from an agent that never came & I’d heard nothing back from some record companies I'd sent some demos to.. So I was questioning the whole thing - what use is it, being given the gift of lyric writing, music composition, piano playing, singing.. If I don't have the business sense to take care of that side of things.  The great thing about art and music, I turned those frustrations into another song, one that could be applied to anyone trying to find some deeper meaning to their life. I rewrote some lyrics on the song again this episode. You can follow the flow, as I just ‘play’, trying out different words...and playing the piano. A couple of new lines come in and somehow transform the song into something better. It's a good thing, being open to editing. It's never too late to rewrite a song, even just a line or two. So even though this song was written at a time of self reflection - wondering what it's all about - ultimately it’s lead to some fun.  As a songwriter, like any path in life, there are going to be some ups and downs. I'm glad I've shared this song on this episode.  Now I’m looking forward to recording 'Winter’s Song'. By the way, you can read the lyrics on this week’s blog post, here:  www.petepascoe.wordpress.com It'd be great to record piano/vocal albums of the songs that have appeared on this podcast. I think I'll do that one day. I'll add it to the list!  Ok, I hope you enjoy listening to how this song came together,  plus some observations on life in general.  It's all put across in a relaxed, entertaining manner. I enjoy playing the piano as I speak. Here we go...