Track 3 - BREATHING

- THE SONG BLOG -
Breathing.  Perhaps not something we give a lot of thought to everyday unless we're running up a flight of stairs or playing sports.  But if you didn't breathe, as Monthy Python would say, you would be "no more".  With the crazy pace of life these days I'm sure most of you can relate to having times when it's a struggle to keep up.  This was the premise my co-writer Debra Alexander and I wanted to capture in a song.  We worked on creating a strong contrast in the music and lyrics between the idyllic calm in verse one and the more clenched nature of the chorus.  When it came to writing a bridge, always the hardest part of a song, we couldn't get there until we finally went down to a nearby park. The change in scenery and serene environment prompted us to realize that, while a lot of bridges ramped up to a massive musical peak, this one needed to go in the opposite direction, one where you literally stop, sit on the bridge and take in the view of the song.  

- THE RECORDING -
This song was tracked at The Drive Shed studio in Toronto and, as I recall, it was a struggle to nail it.  There's always a lot of excitement and anticipation when you're recording with a band live off the floor, and, combined with one too many coffees, it wasn't easy for me to get into the moment.  I had trouble locking into the rhythmic pushes and pulls with the band.  It was like the recording session paralleled the struggle with life's pushes and pulls. When you get stressed, it only makes it worse. I'm happy to say I got there in the end and I love the acoustic vibe we captured, along with Justin Abedin's lovely textural electric guitar parts on this tune.  

Recorded at The Drive Shed in Toronto. Engineered by John Bailey. Overdubs at Jeddart Music in Mississauga. Mixed by Chad Carlson at Hippo Sound in Nashville and Mastered by Hank Williams. Produced by Justin Abedin & David Leask. All Vocals, acoustic guitar & piano  - David Leask. Electric guitars & mandolin - Justin Abedin. Drums & percussion - Roger Travassos. Upright bass - Drew Birston. B3 organ - Steve O' Connor.

- THE LYRIC -
Well the rollin' tide moves the sea
There's wind across the water where the waves run free
I wanna catch my breath, feel that flow
But I'm caught up in this world I know

Six-lane life going far too fast
Forever changing lanes but I can't get past
Feeling choked. What do I need?
People tell me just breathe, but

Breathing's not as simple as it seems
This crazy pace is suffocating me
It should be automatic when the air is free
But breathing's not that easy

I wanna fly a kite on a sea blue sky
Dance it on the breeze; take a long deep sigh
But here I am tryin' to keep control
This highway's gonna take its toll

Breathing's not as simple as it seems
This crazy pace is suffocating me
It should be automatic when the air is free
But breathing's not that easy

    Be still, breathe in, breathe out

Breathing's not as simple as it seems
This crazy pace is suffocating me
It should be automatic when the air is free
But breathing's not that easy

© 2006 David Leask/Songs In The Air & Debra Alexander/Wordmaven Music

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