This past summer, I was feeling overwhelmed trying to juggle multiple projects within the ever-changing landscape of being an independent musician. A friend suggested I focus on outsourcing tasks, and jokingly challenged me to write a love song about delegating responsibility to help me learn how to do it.

The lyrics came easily enough. I imagined someone who, after weighing the pros and cons of continuing a love affair, ultimately leaves the decision to the other party. The music was a bit harder. I knew the style of music I wanted but didn’t know how I was going to fit the elaborate Memphis soul arrangement I was hearing in my head into my limited budget.

So I decided to approach "Delegate" from a subtractive rather than additive point of view. Applying the study of triads that have been the focus of my guitar lessons for the past two years, I dissected the song into small parts that I could easily play. I came up with a naked, vulnerable arrangement that sounds unlike anything I've written before.

The exercise also helped me learn the first rule of delegation, namely, having clear explanations of the tasks to be assigned. I feel I’m one step closer to grasping the motto of successful entrepreneurs the world over: “Work smarter, not harder.”

"Delegate"

Do I love you?
Do I trust you?
Can we start anew?
I'm in no shape to decide so
I delegate it to you

Is it springtime?
Are you all mine?
Can we make it through?
There's a feeling inside but
I delegate it to you

Could this be forever?
We might be so sad
I should walk away, however
Baby, you're the best I ever had

Are we there yet?
Are you my safe bet?
Does it all ring true?
See, I've got nothing to hide so
I delegate it to you

I should walk away, however
We might be so glad
This time could be forever
'Cause, baby, you're the best I ever had

Do you need me?
Will you deceive me?
Leave me sad and blue?
Cast my fears aside and
I'll delegate it to you

© 2022 Amelia C. Ray

released January 1, 2023
Written, composed and performed by Amelia Ray
Mixed and mastered by Brandon Bankes
Cover design by Daniel Cisneros

Delegate

Delegate (Instrumental)

In 2006, San Francisco singer-songwriter Amelia Ray took a three-month holiday in Amsterdam to study Dutch. Studies weren’t going well until the former film student discovered and fell in love with the work of Belgian actor Jan Decleir. Ray vowed to one day write Decleir a thank-you song for helping her learn Dutch. “Beste meneer Decleir” is an ode of admiration in the Kleinkunst style, and releases on Jan Decleir’s 77th birthday, 14 February 2023.

Beste meneer Decleir

Beste Meneer Decleir

When I was at university in D.C. in the 90s, my group of friends and I often ran into a musical theatre major named Sarah at parties. Where others spoke, Sarah preferred to sing, and conversations with her felt like being in a musical. We dubbed her "Showtune Sarah".

A few months ago, I caught myself singing to trees and plants and animals and rolls of toilet paper in the grocery store. I thought, "Oh, dear. I've turned into Showtune Sarah!" I realised that, I, too, had finally embraced the joy and freedom of singing life.

"Dream" – a tribute to musicals – is a recognition of Showtune Sarah's passion, and is dedicated to lovers of musicals everywhere.

Each line in "Dream" references at least one musical (there are 50 musicals referenced total). I hope you enjoy the song and the task of figuring out which musicals are referenced, should you choose to participate.

Sing like no one is listening.

Amelia Ray
01 January 2024

Dream

Saturday Secret Song Society #21: "Robot Diary"

Get the complete song and a new demo every week:
https://www.patreon.com/ameliaray

Robot Diary (edit)

Amelia Ray is a writer, composer, performer and proud amalgam of every person she has ever met. As a polyglot, she has spent decades examining how similar concepts are expressed differently across languages and cultures. Interpretation is a running theme in her work, which includes several cross-genre albums and singles, performance art projects and a one-act musical about the commodification of personal and cultural narrative entitled "The Five Impediments".

In 2020, Ray organised and hosted The Quarantuned Music Festival – a series of 24-hour, worldwide, virtual music festivals to benefit artists affected by Covid-19 concert cancellations. In January 2023, Ray released the single “Delegate,” a cry from an overwhelmed independent musician trying to navigate the ever-changing industry, disguised as a love song. She is currently working on a Finnish and American folk music album, and organising Europe for Ukraine – an initiative to gather musicians from 50 European countries to record an original composition in support of Ukraine. 

Ray, who resides in Finland, says her love of language encourages her to strive for a more in-depth understanding of others and of the shared human experience. “I believe we are all searching for the same things, and that we are, essentially, telling the same story. The intrigue lies in the fact that there is always more than one way to tell a story.”

Amelia Ray

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