FAWM: "Hope is a Flame"

Hope is a Flame

3 weeks ago by @grayland

Hope is a Flame

grayland

00:00

Liner Notes

#Fusion

As promised, here's a song of a different genre than the first. A genre I've loved since I heard Chick Corea's Romantic Warrior album so long ago!! Nope I can't play like him, so my keyboards are not nearly as complex and I fixed the errors and even wrote some phrases in the midi editor (because I'm a guitar player more than a piano player!!), but I love to try to write music in that general style.

Lyrics

Hope is a Flame by Gary Ray Knowland

The sun is sinking low, painted skies unfold. Every step feels heavy, stories left untold. I drag my shadow, across this weary road... such a heavy load, It's a heavy load

The night whispers secrets, a lullaby of stars. The planets sing to me, jupiter, and mars. My hope is burning, hoping as I might. For a dawn that brings new light, Give me a dawn that brings new light.

Hope is a flame, keep it burning on. Through the darkest night, till the break of dawn. When the world feels heavy, hope falls from the skies. Hope is a flame, a flame that never dies.

The moon shines down on me, as gentle as a dove And guides my weary soul, with wisdom from above And as the night grows old, I'm praying faithfully, That my hopes will set me free

Hope is to blame for sunny skies Hope is a flame that never dies Hope makes it worth another try Hope is a flame that never dies

Hope is a flame, keep it burning on. Through the darkest night, till the break of dawn. When the world feels heavy, hope falls from the skies. Hope is a flame, a flame that never dies.

Comments

@tamsnumber4 4d

Ooh, "drag my shadow", so descriptive. I LOVE this genre and your voice in it! This is beautiful, I wish I could play something like this for myself...don't worry, I will never be able to LOL! This is a vacation for my ears, Great song!!

@tcelliott 2w

This is lush.. the guitaring is great, what a wonderful feel to it. The keys are perfect, too. And who cares how they got there? This has a gentle, but powerful message worthy of the wonderful backing track you've made.

@jamesstaubes 2w

Are you influenced by Jerry Garcia? Because your guitar playing reminds me so much of him. I love it. This line hits for me: Hope is to blame for sunny skies. The production is solid, the mix is big and full. Also, I love Chick Corea. Funny you mention him because I was on a big Chick Corea kick in January. I was obsessed with, "Spain." I digress, I love the positivity in this track. It's smooth as glass.

@johnstaples 2w

Holy Moly! How in the world did you create this masterpiece? It sounds like fine crystal (if crystal could sing.) It shimmers and shines like diamonds! I don't even understand how you put something so beautiful together!!! I'm over here writing goofy songs about having kids with an octopus and then eatin' them while you are Return to Forever-ing all over the place! (I think I listened to that album about a thousand times with you and Mark, right?)

So, the music is astounding and I don't even know how to comment on it except to say it is beautiful in all ways, from all angles. I love, Love, LOVE this! "Hope is a Flame" is such a killer hook! And lines like "I drag my shadow, across this weary road" evoke such deep feeling! And your lyrics are just chock full of HOPE. And that is a real bonus for us all! Man, you have become such an excellent songwriter! This one is exquisite!

(I can't wait to share this one with Rose tomorrow! She is gonna love it! And she'll prolly ask why I write songs about fathering octopus kids while you are making music that Chick Corea would be proud of!)

@grayland 2w

Thank you so much John!! I'm thrilled you liked it and I "Hope" Rose does too!! And, Yes you and I and Mark listened to Return to Forever alot!!! And Enigmatic Ocean by Jean Luc Ponty!! Two of my favorite amazing fusion albums that have stuck with me!!

@briggs 2w

I really enjoyed this tune. The lyrics, particularly the first stanza, paint an evocative picture. Nice guitar work, with 16th note lines that are reminiscent of the Grateful Dead. Well done!

@sheslin 2w

I really like the blend of the synth and the guitar. Nice guitar solo and playing throughout. Your lyrics are so poetic with such beautiful imagery found in nature, which I relate to. You so cleverly tied in the universal nature references with the message of hope. This song feels like a gentle hug it is so smooth and rich, and the lyrics so comforting. I get that it is more of a kind of personal mantra to keep going despite it all. This is the kind of song we need these days!

@mctown 2w

Nice groove...and some fine lyrics.

@chrisgray 2w

Really like the rich, dreamy sound of this -- and LOVE "a lullaby of stars." Enjoyed this!

@lemonbrew 2w

Ein organisches Ganzes, dieser Track ist ein Punktlandung.

@kpollock 2w

ooh love the e-piano. Whole song is great. Harmonies are nice.

@coolparadisoMod 2w

You know this is my kind of Lyric Gary! Love those guitar placement in both ears separately. Lovely delivery as always

@loch_jess_monster 2w

thanks for the comment on my song earlier today! this definitely captures a 70s jazz fusion vibe to my ears (maybe with a bit of prog rock in the vocals too?). very good musicianship all around. a couple people have already complimented the guitar and keyboards so i'll add that the bass is really nice too!

@dhiatt 3w

Great vibe, there's something soothing about it. Love the vocal harmonies. The vocals really drive home the heavy feel of those initial rhymes. Impressive composition!