When I posted "Dog with a bone" a few months ago, I said it would be the most personal song I would ever put on Songramp.
Sadly, I was terribly wrong, because my son, Andrew, died recently. It was both sudden, and very unexpected. Although he had been ill for a little while, but no one expected this to happen.
I was unable to concentrate for some time, and found it difficult to function normally, never mind write songs. However, gradually I became aware that writing a song about him could be cathartic, and so it proved. I soon realised I could never put into words how I felt, (unless I wrote lots of songs), so, in the end, I just wrote a simple tune with lyrics based on the musical aspects of our relationship.
The lead vocal as the last track I recorded, and, as I pressed the stop button, I did feel a great sense of relief. I'm certain it has helped me in the grieving process.
ANDY’S SONG
I taught you to play. You practised all day, and soon it would sound like it should.
Took you on some dates, you got up with my mates. You loved every note, I knew that you would.
You joined your first band, and when you took the stand. It made feel proud, as I watched you from the crowd
Your new band’s so tight. The music’s just right. When you caught my eye, we both understood
You got me up to play, and in just the same way. I loved every note, you knew that I would.
(Backing vocal lyrics)
(Heard me, sing my songs, so you, came along Helped me, to record.
Next day, you say, let’s go, on ebay, For software, I can afford).
But now you’re gone, it seems so wrong. We may never know, why you had to go.
I miss you every day, the pain won’t go away. But I’m so glad, for the times we had.
All the music made, the songs we played. And those nights with the boys, there’s so much we enjoyed.
Taught you all I know, and then watched you grow. But now that it’s all said and done
All the things that we shared, and the way that you cared.