Climbing Mountains – Song and a Chat

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Episode #50: Climbing Mountains (Song at 6.08)

Welcome to another ‘songwriter speaks’ episode. In fact, (Ta dah!!! ) this is my 50th episode. I really look forward to turning the mic on, having a chat and sharing a song (a demo) each week.

You can check out this week’s song on YouTube ( Pete Pascoe Art and Music ) too – I videoed myself singing and playing 14 songs on Valentine’s Day ( I went ‘live’ for the 1st 5 songs on Instagram). I particularly liked the version of this song. So I thought I’d look it at it for this episode.

The lyrics are about someone who’s doing it tough. The title came from a book about Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay climbing Mt Everest. I started with that title, then the thought of this person came strongly to me. Empathy appears to be a big part of being songwriter, if you are looking to engage a listener.

As I say, this person was really struggling, so: climbing a mountain? How about actually making to the kitchen table, for a start.
The result is a supportive sort of a lyric, ‘we are there for you’ sort of tone, while hopefully being in encouraging in a ‘You’ve got this, you’ll get through it’ sort of way – ‘but I want you to know, you’re not alone’.
I wrote this song in 2016. It seems apt for now with so many people struggling around the world with covid -19
The music is slightly unsettling (intentionally so in the verses). It gets moving in the mid sections, then it’s warm and predictable in the choruses – and ultimately reflective at the end.
It is such good fun writing songs. You really tune into a creative realm and it seems to be collaborative effort. It’s fascinating to me.
Anyway, if I’ve piqued your curiosity, grab a cuppa, sit back and and I’ll guide you through the process in a relaxed, inclusive manner including a look at the lyrics.
If you like new music, check this episode out – and then there’s another 49 to go back and listen too! Or if you’ve been with me for a while now, thanks for tuning in each week. I hope you enjoy today’s podcast.
Don’t forget, the lyrics are on my blog www.petepascoe.wordpress.com