Sometimes you just need a happy song.

Hey everyone. This week’s post and song is a short one that is about something we don’t show enough to ourselves and each other; gratitude and kindness. This is a very short song I called “I’m Proud Of You”. Let’s give it a listen then discuss it.

 

Listen here:

How did I plot this out and write it?

I started out with the bassline you hear that repeats throughout the track. The harmony outlined by the bassline is I-V-IV-V (1-5-4-5, E-B-A-B) in E major. After laying down the bass, I played it back a few times and whistled what would soon be the vocal melody. After I had the melody, I put together the puzzle by writing words to it.

 

Lyrics

Even if nobody says it
I’m proud of you
And of me too

 

It isn’t said that often
But I’m proud of you
And of me too

 

We don’t give credit enough
To the people that keep things running, so

 

Even if nobody says it
I’m proud of you
And proud of me, too

 

I wrote these lyrics as kind of tongue in cheek about how we treated (and treat) all of the people that we call “essential workers” that hold everything together while being paid minimum wage which, to paraphrase Chris Rock, means if your employer could pay you less, they would; but it’s against the law to pay any less.

 

Once I recorded the first take of the vocals, I decided that, with the content being what it is, it would be more fitting to have several voices/harmonies going so it sounds like a group of people coming together to shed a little kindness on others with a little jingle.

 

Parting thoughts

Though I wrote the lyrics as a tongue in cheek idea at first, it ended up lending itself to the important fact that we don’t even recognize each other at a bare minimum level in the majority of our day-to-day lives. Most of us don’t individually have enough money/power to be able to change things for the better, however, if we work together with each other’s best interests in mind, we can support each other and make the world what we want; we just have to work together and recognize that each and every one of us is a living, breathing person that has wants, needs, dreams, and are more than the position we work.

 

Thanks for coming to my TedTalk.

 

If you enjoyed this song, post, or any of my content and you’re looking to learn more about writing music, lyrics, or playing your instrument then please feel free to check out my services and email me at [email protected] or contact me here to book some lessons to help move yourself a little closer to some of your goals and dreams. Nothing is done without the help of others, and I’m always here to help.

 

Thank you for your time and all of your hard work in what you do. Be kind to yourself and be proud of your accomplishments and of those around you that are working hard to improve the lives of themselves and those around them.

 

All the best,

 

– Matt