Episode #212: New World Dawning (Song starts at 6:22)
I really enjoyed writing song #207, New World Dawning, back in 1992.
The lines ‘I never thought I’d cry tears You can buy at the chemist’ Were never going to shake the foundations of anyone’s world, but that was my opening gambit (I was talking about the saline solution I used with my contact lenses). Undeterred, I carried on.
The words came and they lead on to an expansive sort of a world view. A world that felt like it was yet to exist: a world of golden opportunities, communication and love - that’s one description of this world. Perhaps that was an artists vision. I was inspired at the time and I still am today.
You are what you listen to, what you eat, etc. I see at the top of my page in the songbook, there’s a wee sentence scrawled…’it’s amazing what a Crowded House video can do’, so thank you Neil Finn, and the guys, you really inspired me.
The demo was recorded in 1996. I remember the afternoon. It was a spur of the moment decision to record one of my piano vocal sessions. What I did - and still do - is this: I flick open my songbooks (all handwritten, the 800) ..and I find myself in a very free performance mode.
I play random songs one after the other, and I keep my ears open for new hooks, harmonies, and lines, as I sing and play. I make mental notes and sometimes quickly note a key line.or new melody to sing for a line.
I think as songwriter, you need to be open to editing and rewriting again and again. A song isn’t cast in stone - even when it’s recorded you can always record a new version.
So New World comes from an honest place, I think. After walking home from the piano bar, in the early hours of the morning, back in 1992, I opened the door at home. I was living in a converted garage. A single room abode, I gratefully climbed into my waterbed, enjoying the warmth.And I picked up my pen (my habit, my ritual) and began writing.
And I’m pleased I did. What made me write all these songs ? ( and there’s also stacks of unused pages of lyrics and poems somewhere around here) Passion. I loved it. And I still do. That’s why I still write.
In my studio tonight when I went to record a podcast episode, New World Dawning came to mind. I put my hand in a box of cassettes of random recordings and put the cassette I pulled out on the tape deck. And there it was, all cued up ready to roll.
That amazes me. Because it’s not the first time it’s happened for these episodes.
I take note of these things. I find coincidences like this all very mystical and reassuring. I do operate on another planet a lot. It’s who I am - I’m an out and out artist. Perhaps this is the new world dawning…the time of the arts…
Anyhow, I hope you enjoy this demo - and and the chat about how the song came to be. I enjoyed recording the episode, as always.
If you want to hear more , you can stream lots of my music on the usual platforms (eg Spotify)
I have a music website: www.petepascoe.bandcamp.com (You can my hear my music; with Paul Dredge; and with the Patient Hum band). Folk rock, rock , solo piano and singer songwriter. I love the variety.
On that note you’ll see on my blog I’m also a cartoonist and seascape painter. I’m working on tuition videos to present everything I’ve learned and am still learning. See www.petepascoe.wordpress.com
If you’d like to get onboard on my email list, I’d love that (via www.petepascoe.com)
I’m into sharing creative uplifting art and music. And I encourage others to get creative.
Here we go. A new world dawning…rolling!