Song Stories

DAVE GOODRICH'S SONG STORIES*****

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Let It Go (from the album Stripped Away)

"There is someone I know who has grown out of an extreme situation. It was a life situation that seemed hopeless at one point. This person had become deeply self-destructive. Her family was terrified that things would end tragically—a talented, very intelligent life prematurely ended at her own will. The song Let It Go was written for this person while I was vacationing at the beach. Although the message was intended to help her, I think it was more therapeutic to me. There was a time when I had become pretty anti-social and self-deprecating. I held a good deal of anger for those for whom I had little respect regarding their way of life. I did not do well with others' judgment of me and their perceptions of how I lived my life. When I began to let go of this anger, life became so much better. Every day unfolded like I was opening a box of treats. It was easy to love and be loved again. I don't think that my song helped the young person to grow up and out of her thing. Her family's strong love and her own strength were ultimately the greatest factors in her building a better life. Let It Go was written and recorded as a memory of what we all can do with anger and self-destruction if we choose: Let It Go."

—DAVE GOODRICH

Posted 12/30/2013

For the lyrics to Let It Go

I decided that I would write a song a day until had enough good material to record a new album. I started writing on a Monday and wrote some cool songs until Thursday morning came along. It’s sometimes easier for me to write when I’ve been away from the process for awhile. My head fills with lyrics, melodies, rhythms, and chord progressions to the point where songs are ready to spill out like water from a broken levee. Thursday morning seemed to be a different story. I lay in bed in a jaded daze thinking to myself, “I’m tapped out. How and am I going to come with something today?” In a semi-conscious state of malaise, I mumbled, “It’s Thursday and I need a song, but I don’t want to get up...I’ve got nothing to write about.” At that moment, a melody came to me, and I started singing “It’s Thursday...I don’t want to get up.” This was the beginning of what has become one of the more well-received songs It’s Thursday off of the album Stripped Away. I sprang out of bed, did some yoga and vocal warmups, and before I could get in front of a piece of paper and pencil, the song was pretty much written in my head. The writing for the album Stripped Away was complete in twelve days, and I was ready to dig into the sometimes arduous and tedious task of recording. Writing It’s Thursday made me more confident that I would be able to finish my self-imposed challenge. It made me realize that there is always something to write about, and that if you are passionate about your craft, you can pretty much achieve anything.

Make It Right Again (from the album Stripped Away)

"There is this stretch of narrow country road that seemingly goes on forever when I'm nearly reaching home after playing in the northwestern part of Virginia. At one spot a huge leaning oak tree and an old telephone pole hang over the forlorn road. In the winter it's almost as if you are stuck in a black-and-white photo. This imagery was the beginning of Make it Right Again. The song is becoming an increased favorite among listeners. It speaks in metaphor about times when things seem forlorn and colorless. The vision of a smiling face appreciating me at home, warm and filled with love, helps me make it to a better place. Also, as I think of light dancing and sparkling on warm Atlantic waters, it helps me press on during the difficult ride and ultimately leads me back home. :-) Without this forlorn spot in the road, however, I would not have been able to offer up this song. I hope that it leads many people to a better place and delivers them home to a loving, smiling face."

—DAVE GOODRICH

Posted 10/3/2013

For the lyrics to Make It Right Again

Stripped Away (from the album Stripped Away)

"The names of the musicians and my relationships are forever locked in my head so please don’t ask me who I was speaking of when I wrote the title track to my album Stripped Away. It was one of the first songs written for the album. It’s quick and heartfelt and is one of my favorites from the album. Musically, there is influence from one of my guitar heroes Doc Watson. I sneaked into the Cellar Door in DC one night when I was a kid to see and hear him play. (I know; I was a bad boy.) I was front-row seated, and life was never the same after that show. The things Doc could do stripped away with just his guitar were nothing short of amazing. Doc passed away a few years back. I dedicate this song to him.

Lyrically, Stripped Away was born from my contemplation on all the relationships that I’ve played a part in during my career as a musician. I am speaking of scores and scores of friends who—for short and intense times of involvement—reach a pinnacle in musical relationships and then go away when someone changes careers, gets married, moves on, or just can’t make the music work for whatever reason. It can happen a lot in the music biz.

I realize in writing this song I may have sounded a bit misanthropic, but please think about it for awhile and maybe it will help you gain a positive perspective on the loss of a friendship or relationship. Some relationships are meant to stick and some are meant to wash away. Some are to be remembered and some can be forgotten. All relationships can help grow a life filled with love and a life well-loved.

To all those people I've worked with over the years, I wish you much love. You are never forgotten and—all things Stripped Away—I wish you the best in your life and musical endeavors."

—DAVE GOODRICH

Posted 9/2/2013

For the lyrics to Stripped Away

It's Thursday (from the album Stripped Away)

"I decided that I would write a song a day until I had enough good material to record a new album. I started writing on a Monday and wrote some cool songs until Thursday morning came along. It’s sometimes easier for me to write when I’ve been away from the process for awhile. My head fills with lyrics, melodies, rhythms, and chord progressions to the point where songs are ready to spill out like water from a broken levee. Thursday morning seemed to be a different story. I lay in bed in a jaded daze thinking to myself, 'I’m tapped out. How am I going to come up with something today?' In a semi-conscious state of malaise, I mumbled, 'It’s Thursday and I need a song, but I don’t want to get up...I’ve got nothing to write about.' At that moment, a melody came to me, and I started singing, 'It’s Thursday...I don’t want to get up.' This was the beginning of It’s Thursday, which has become one of the more well-received songs off of the album Stripped Away. I sprang out of bed, did some yoga and vocal warmups, and before I could get in front of a piece of paper and pencil, the song was pretty much written in my head. The writing for the album Stripped Away was complete in twelve days, and I was ready to dig into the sometimes arduous and tedious task of recording. Writing It’s Thursday made me more confident that I would be able to finish my self-imposed challenge. It made me realize that there is always something to write about, and that if you are passionate about your craft, you can pretty much achieve anything."

—DAVE GOODRICH

Posted 8/1/2013

For the lyrics to It's Thursday

My Friend (from the album Stripped Away)

"I have this friend I've known for years. We've both seen a lot of each other at our worst and best. We've dragged each other up from broken hearts, crashed worlds, and trashed relationships. We've had vast amounts of fun in the in-betweens while meandering through life. And, yes, sometimes we might have even bugged each other. When I first wrote My Friend, I thought to myself, 'Now how am I going to release this song without my real friend feeling dissed and not calling me for a couple of years?' The song mentions the time that he came to the door of my apartment in the middle of the night in the wake of some tremendous partying. He needed some cold water and maybe a slap in the face to sober him up, but instead I brewed up some coffee and sang a really stupid song that I made up on the fly. It worked! (No prob, man! It was worth the lost sleep; you needed it!) Likewise, I am not always the angel that I appear. ;~) stand guilty of once dribbling food in my friend's brand-new car while eating dinner during an urban drive. A bad stain resulted, which I sorely regret.

Ultimately, I have decided to release the song My Friend publicly. I slacked for a little bit on presenting it to my real friend (who shall remain anonymous). But when I did show him the song, he seemed to dig it because it had that 'I-love-you-man thing.'

Maybe you have a friend you've been through a bunch with (male or female). Send me a picture of you and your friend doing friend stuff (G-rated, plllllease!) and maybe we'll use it in the video to My Friend. And to my pal through most of my life: Thanks for being My Friend...my friend."

—DAVE GOODRICH

Posted 7/11/2013

For the lyrics to My Friend

* * * * *

We'd

LOVE

hear

from

YOU!

* * * * *

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