I’ve listened to my recording well over fifty times already. Each time I hear it, my heart soars. I could envision this song being played at weddings. A friend of mine asked me if this was the one I wrote for my own wedding – it is not. I have a special song that I wrote, which I might share later on.
Singing has so much physicality! I have had some “stomach issues” for over a week. During a stressful period of my life three years ago, I developed microscopic colitis. It resolved and I have been fine for over two years. However, perhaps it was that my “anniversary of the heart,” Jason’s birthday, triggered some problems for me.
I am so human! When I sang yesterday, my stomach hurt, it was hot, and singing was quite challenging for me. I realize that my song could be an excellent demo with a professional singer. Still, I very much enjoyed the experience of recording it.
This morning I played the recording for my husband. He pondered something and said to me, “Have you thought of asking Peaches to sing it for you?”
I told him, “Peaches is very encouraging of me to sing my own songs. I don’t know that she would. However, I could ask her.”
That idea has floated through my head all morning. What a fabulous adventure I’m having! Is this a hit song in the making? I love George’s arrangement and the revised tempo I decided upon.
I am going to ask Peaches if she is interested in recording a vocal track for me.
My fairytale life continues!
Below is a link to Part 2 of this story where recordings of my song can be heard:
Story behind YOU ARE MY WINGS-PART 2
While I was in college, I took a calligraphy class. I created a book using my lyrics for one of my class assignments. I’ve enjoyed “sprinkling” some of those calligraphy pages throughout my blog. Below is the cover for my book:
Of all the songs I’ve written, “You Are My Wings” is the most upbeat. It is one of the last songs I wrote before I stopped composing in 1981.
It is a love song, and I wrote it at a time when I longed for love. I found it not long after.
In February, my childhood friend, Joni, knew a music producer and arranged for me to meet him. When I played this song for Jud Friedman (Post #4), he didn’t like my verses and felt my chorus should become the verse. He suggested I should write a new chorus expanding on the phrase, “I’m in love.”
According to Jud, contemporary songs have far simpler lyrics, repeat phrases, and build upon a few words. He termed it “expansion.” He said my style of song composition was “linear;” that my song traveled along in a linear fashion. I have not felt motivated to change my song in any way.
I’ve been asked a few times if I’ll ever write some new songs. I don’t really know. I haven’t felt the creative desire to start composing again. Part of my rediscovery has included simply remembering what I used to play on my guitar. It has been thirty years since I’ve seriously played, and I no longer have the repertoire of thirty classical guitar pieces I used to play from memory.
The fact that my songs are very much applicable to my life has been a mystery for me that I’ve mentioned before. Singing transforms me into the young girl that I used to be. I’ve realized that one reason I’ve shared many younger pictures of myself has been because recently I’ve felt that I have rediscovered my youth.
If I had been asked several months ago how I felt – this is what I would have said.
My joy was left behind with my youth. Life was on a path of moving closer and closer to being aged and decrepit. My body, as well as everyone and everything around me seemed to be deteriorating. My parents whom I loved so much were fading from my life. Color had faded from my world, and seemed to be the inevitable result of the aging process. My visual difficulties depressed me further, as I tried to ignore them.
Today, I enjoy seeing those youthful pictures of myself. Those pictures are still who I am. I might not look youthful, however, inside I feel young again. My life is something that I want to celebrate. I’ve been blessed with abundant creativity; I realize how special those gifts are. I no longer am focusing on making money. Now I am allowing myself to express all of my creative outlets – art, writing, and music! There is no perfection, and I have no qualms or fear of failure as I share my journey of becoming an insightful and improved, human being.
I have been trying to improve my voice. I’ve only started taking voice lessons for approximately two months now.
I am aware that my voice is not an asset to convey my songwriting. Despite that, singing gives me great pleasure and my vocal coach, Peaches, has been an inspiration for me.
PEACHES GIVES ADVICE AT OUR 5-17 LESSON ABOUT MY SONG.
PEACHES HELPS ME WITH CHORUS ON YOU ARE MY WINGS
PEACHES HELPS ME WITH VERSE ON YOU ARE MY WINGS
The song, “You Are My Wings,” is very enjoyable for me to play on my guitar. The guitar riff I composed is fairly complex and requires an open tuning. I’m aware that my song is fairly high for me to sing; I’ve tuned my guitar as low as it can go – it is tuned two steps below an average guitar in order to accommodate this song for my voice.
Working with Peaches has been very helpful. Sharing the audio clips on my blog really convey who I am and where I’m going. I am certain that I’m going to improve over time with Peach’s advice. I will continue sharing my progress.
Today, I recorded a demo with George, a musician/arranger whom I found on Craigslist. His fees are very reasonable and he is a gifted musician. Last week when I worked with him, I wanted to record more than one song. I made several freestyle recordings. Eventually, I hope to have a full page of audio recordings!
When we worked on “You Are My Wings” this afternoon, I decided to try the more professional approach that George recommended. We recorded my guitar first and then I sang on a separate track. What’s exciting about this is that as my voice improves – or if I find another singer, the karaoke version still stands as something I could use.
The experience of hearing my original song expanded upon was indescribable!
I’ve written about my suffering, and I want to find the words to convey the flip side of intense joy. As I listened to the words and music, which I composed build from simplicity to complexity, I was literally “melting” in my chair. My entire being was enveloped in a blanket of warmth, as I closed my eyes and sailed along with every note. George also had his eyes closed and waved his fingers like a conductor while he searched for the perfect accompanying sound he was looking for. We collaborated, because I listened to his suggestions and approved whatever sounded like it enhanced my song. The room was absolutely electrified while he worked; it was obvious that he loved what he was doing.
Writing has been so therapeutic and releasing my trauma has changed my life.
Lately, I have less of a compulsion to write. That tells me how much happier I am. I enjoy writing, and look forward to continuing to update my blog.
But I am sharing happiness more and more.
YOU ARE MY WINGS
Copyright 2010, by Judy Unger
Today we’re flying to the sun
You are my wings, my companion
Above the earth we are like one
In the heavens
We’re sailing those pink clouds in the sky
Reflected rainbow in your eye
You know I always wanted to fly
Way up above, well I’m in love
I never wanted to fly alone, but you’ve sent me soaring
upon a love, I have never known
But I’ll love you in air; when we’re down to earth
Our lives we will share
CHORUS
I never dreamed it’d happen to me, but I know that
we can’t fly this high for eternity
If we shed out wings, we’ll walk together
and face what the future brings
You know I always wanted to fly
Way up above, well I’m in love
© Judy Unger and http://www.myjourneysinsight.com 2010. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Judy Unger with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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