I felt like it was time to come back to my roots with some three-part harmonies. Although it’s still very much a rough draft, this composition was written for three voices in particular: those of my dear friends and singing companions Karl and Holly, plus myself. In this initial recording, the voices are all mine, but Karl and Holly are both open to trying to get in some recordings before FAWM is over, so maybe I'll be able to clean things up and replace this with a more true-to-intention version later on… but we’ll see!
For ages, I've been wanting to write a song for the three of us in which each of us has our own melody, yet all three of the melodies are based on the harmonies for one another’s parts, so in theory they should fit together and sound good when all three melodies are sung simultaneously. So, that’s what I tried to do with this song. And I really thought I had it this time, but …
Nope! It did NOT work. It came somewhat close, but not close enough to make you listen to all three verses at once, so I cut that part out.
And I added a bit of percussion at the last minute to give it some much-needed pep. At the time of recording, all the parts were still quite new to me, so there's a woodenness to the delivery because of concentrating so hard on the notes. With more time to practice, that stiffness should dissolve into something more like a groove. And in my head, the three of us would be able to sit together while we sing, making eye contact and sharing the reciprocal energy of singing together, which would also give the piece a much more vital feel.
The “me” in the song is open to interpretation. Of course, I have my own ideas, but I won’t mess up yours by telling you all about mine. :)
LYRICS:
CHORUS:
Walking on the stones
Gazing out to sea
Floating on the breeze
That’s where you’ll find me
KARL:
My home is in the water
Moonless nights and plankton glowing bright
And when this story’s over
I’ll remain in the molecules that surround you
(CHORUS)
HOLLY:
I hold the stones in my hands
Put them to my ears and listen close
Feel them warming in my palms
And listen as they whisper the secrets that they hold
(CHORUS)
NATALIE:
Cooling air blows through you
Plays a lullaby, calms your weary mind
I will always be there
You know where to look, take the time and you’ll find me
(CHORUS)
@boycetown Feb 2022
I love your harmonising. The song, for me, evokes a longing for reunion, with both celebration and acceptance. It feels real.
@rockstarsmd Feb 2022
This rules, Natalie! Totally reminds me of Mountain Man's best work.
You have got it going on, my friend...
@drivebylovefest Feb 2022
I would love to hear the recorded version with your singing buds! This is lovely. I'm a total sucker for harmonies and the acapella tag caught me like a fish.