1. Everything And More
I wrote this with two of my favorite songwriters, Gerald O'Brien and Patricia Conroy. We
enjoy each other and always look forward to writing together.
I have been working with World Vision Canada for several years and have traveled to Africa and Honduras to see the child sponsorship organization's good works for myself. These trips have had a profound effect on my life and, quite frankly, changed me in ways I could not have expected. I wasn't sure how this experience was going to show up in my music, but I knew that it would eventually. For me, this song underscores what my work with World Vision has made very clear to me: I am, indeed, blessed with "everything and more," and when I do face a challenge in my life, I gain strength from the example of the children and the families that I met abroad.
2. Dance In The Boat
Written by Tony Haselden, who wrote Take It Like A Man for me. Tony is also the co-producer
of my album. I'm a fan of his writing and appreciate him bringing this song to the project. I like
its tempo and groove and the free-spirited lyric. I find it hard to find or write a fun up-tempo
song with a solid hook. This one accomplishes all of that for me.
3. Riding Around The Sun
A worldly-wise narrative, the product of a life well-lived. A lot like my life. Like the lyric says,
"Surprises don't surprise me, no, not anymore. There are no walls too far from the devil's door." or "It's out of my control, but I do my best. I worry way too much and then I let God have the rest." The lyrics ring true for me, they have a certain implied spirituality that attracts me. I like the groove a lot as well. It's reminiscent of the Motown music I grew up listening to.
4. I Don't Wanna Be That Strong
This song for me harkens back to my early country influences. Merle Haggard. Tammy
Wynette. It's simply a great traditional country song. I like the narrator's admission of her
vulnerability: for those of us that have had to deal with a broken heart over the loss of a
relationship that didn't work out, it's hard to be strong and put up a front like you're doing
fine when really you're shattered. In this song the relationship hasn't come to an end yet,
but the woman realizes that she may have to be strong and move on - even though the
thought of that is just so painful and the leaving would require great strength. But she
knows she has the strength and has proven it in the past. Still, maybe it's easier to stay
rather than go through the break up and all the stages of emotions that that imposes.
5. In The Blink Of An Eye
This is one of my favorite songs on the CD. Gerald O'Brien and I started writing a melody
together. I really liked it, but we were having a hard time coming up with an interesting idea to drive the lyrics. I suggested we bring Patricia Conroy in to help us. The first thing she said
was that she had been thinking about how everything can change in the blink of an eye. It
immediately struck me as the right idea. It took us three writing sessions to finish the song. I find it interesting to listen to: I like its dynamics and the layer of sounds that are going on in the production. I also like that its message is one of hope.
6. I've Forgotten You
I like the straightforward movement and groove of this song. The lyric causes me to reminisce.
The dobro is one of my favorite instruments and I like to hear it in this song.
7. Love Me Anyway
Many women my age (including yours truly) are wondering whether we've waited too long
to have children. Many of us have chosen - for one reason or another - to put career first.
Then, before you know it, time has passed, and while the desire to have children is there,
the body has moved on. A topic I had not heard written before.
8. Something Wild
I love this Maia Sharp co-write. I think the idea is totally original, and I like its dynamics. It
has something tribal or animalistic about it. It's like running through the jungle to
something, but also wanting to run away - and feeling the conflict because its allure is
confusing. I've sat around a kitchen table a time or two with a few of my girlfriends and
talked about the irresistible nature of a man that is wild or dangerous and how we want to
get away but we keep being drawn back. There's something exciting about it, even though
it usually leads to heartbreak. Maturity often fixes this need to capture the untamable, but
in the meantime it can make life interesting...
9. You Can't Lose Them All
Another well-written Maia Sharp song. I imagine that most of us, at one point or another in our lives, find ourselves wondering just how many more disappointments we can deal with. But optimism is a powerful force.
10. My Give A Damn's Busted
Love it. Love the groove. I found the song on a Joe Diffie album. The first time I heard it I
just laughed. It grooves and rocks and makes me smile. One of the first tracks I recorded
for the CD - in mid 2004. Too bad I didn't release the CD sooner...
11. Like An Angel
It's a girl thing. What girl doesn't want to feel this way?
12. Voodoo
Just a fun song that makes me want to move my body and dance.
