Running to Stand Still

A late night recording

Had a little laid back, late night song session last night - just playing tunes I love.

Not sure if you’ve seen the recent Elvis movie, but there’s a point when he returns to what shaped him, and drew him into music. I’ve been prompted to do the same. (Which of course means - like Elvis - I’d better do at least one hymn!)

One graced moment last night was when I recalled the song Running to Stand Still by U2.

I’ve always loved that song.

I have to say too, that I’ve been drawn not only to what shaped me, but I’ve also been drawn to songs from generations younger than me. When I was first starting out as a songwriter, I can’t tell you how many people told me the best songs had already been written. It was as if closed system regimes ruled all foods of love… (heaven help me if I do the same!)

There’s this recent Lorde song that really (really) struck me when I first heard it and I thought - that is one hell of a song. The layers to the song keep on peeling away inside me. A very good sign. At first I thought it was simply a cynical judgement (no doubt on my generation), but listening further, I realize it is compassionately disturbing and quite possibly exquisite. Will probably keep on doing these sessions over the holidays after the kids are tucked in, and won’t exclude songs written by people born in my teen years!

A wee reminder that there are 5 days left to get my signed discography with free shipping before I reinvent what offering physical product looks like on my store. This means, the inventory is dwindling, and I will not be reordering more CD stock, at this time.

Here’s my little late night cover of Running to Stand Still… it came back to me like no time was between me and the song. What a joy!

PS- Yesterday I posted a picture of me smiling… and got a bit vulnerable about how my smile has eluded me for much of my adult life. Just want to share that smile here, as it comes out of choosing contentment, and creative expression, and joy.

I shared this quote from Charlie Chaplain,

“To truly laugh, you must be able to take your pain, and play with it!"

and then wonderfully, someone shared this comment:

“Yes! Charlie Chaplin’s famous walk was due to a deformity in his hip development that he played up for his work. So that quote is quite literally true!”

Thank-you Charlie, for your art. I am grateful!

This smile is not meant to be salt in a wound. It is not meant to hurt you if you are hurting. It is a hard-won smile! And even so… I’ve discovered beauty at the heart of all things.

I love you. Alana