I wrote very recently about the forthcoming collection “Lease of Life” and here is the lead song from it “In Life”. The fact is that we never know how much time we have on the clock and the most important thing is to embrace ourselves, life itself and the journey itself. That’s what the song is essentially about. It’s about the appreciation of the magic of it, of others and the great mystery of it.
I wrote the song last year and recorded it I think last year possibly completing it early this year. I’m fairly sure that I wrote this song one day when I was walking through one of the small garden squares in the Kings Cross, Bloomsbury, Euston area of London and I happened upon this square with a tiny chapel and that had a few graveyards in it. It was a sunny day and far from a sad song emerging a very upbeat song emerged but that speaks of the fact that we cannot be complacent about time.
Last year when I wrote the song it was a really tough time for a close family member who could have died and we are all so, so blessed that they did not and sadly since writing my nearest neighbour passed far too soon. Fortunately they had lived a rich life and had created some amazing work as an artist.
In Life we so easily get caught up in the day to day that we forget that each day is such a gift. What’s been a gift for me about this song is once again John Hamilton of EQ studios producing the track. Plus also my very good friend Marcin, who once again created the video (above) which we filmed just a few days ago during the week.
Musically I’m quite proud of this as I had more to do with the ‘sound’ than I often do. I knew it needed to have a beat and a particular kind of feel and I had much to do with finding the layered sound samples that lace the core sound of the track. John did his magic in bringing the whole thing together and I’m really pleased with it. It was one of the last songs recorded for the Lease of Life collection but as soon as I recorded it I knew it needed to start of the set of songs. I say that as though there will be some kind of physical – or more likely virtual online – collection of the songs which I’d like. We’ll see. Anyway I hope you enjoy it and the lyrics are below.
In Life
Some say it’s much too late
Some say choice, some fate
I know that there still is time
Past, present and future now
I know where you’re coming from
Same place as everyone
Don’t you get lost in your mind
Stop seeking and then you’ll find.
In life, in life, in life
Don’t swim against the tide
Don’t fight yourself, or life itself
Embrace it will there’s time
In life
Some say we’re afraid to try
Or we’re afraid to die
I say we’re afraid to live
I say we’re afraid to give (give love)
One morning you won’t wake up
This morning you did – that’s love
While you have a beating heart
Each day is a day for love
In life, in life, in life
Don’t swim against the tide
Don’t fight yourself, or life itself
Embrace it will there’s time
In life
Gonna sing my song to the whole wide world
Gonna dance through darkest nights
Gonna share my heart right across the earth
Gonna turn into the light in life
In life, in life, in life
Don’t swim against the tide
Don’t fight yourself, or life itself
Embrace it will there’s time
In life
Rasheed Ogunlaru ©2014