A remix to my song 'When We Were Young' courteous of Levthand.

When We Were Young (Levthand Remix)

Excuse Me

Road Less Travelled

We're Not Waking Up

Biding My Time

A thank you to the facilitators - or what I prefer to call our 'Guardians' from Plant Medicine Thailand <3 Thanks for guiding us in February 2023.

Guardians:

Twenty two souls come together
To open our hearts, and surrender
With heavy weights on our shoulders
But we’re here to find our light, our spark

Twenty two clear intentions 
As we toss away our limitations
As we give ourselves up to the vibrations
And through it all, you held our hands in the dark

Through the dark through the rain, your love’s our ever-burning flame
Through the hurt and the pain
As you sing as you dance, feel the love behind the chants
You gave us
You gave us

The love of a million mothers
The strength of a million fathers
The warmth of a million brothers and sisters
The wisdom, the wisdom of our generations past

Seven souls came together
Generations ago, you found each other
And you’re here to help us peel off our defences
Naked and vulnerable never felt so good

Seven souls gave inspiration
Though you see it as your obligation
Thanks to you we can see our own beauty within
Thanks to you this new chapter can begin.

Through the dark through the rain, your love’s our ever-burning flame
Through the hurt and the pain
As you sing as you dance, feel the love behind the chants
You gave us
You gave us

The love of a million mothers
The strength of a million fathers
The warmth of a million brothers and sisters
The wisdom, the wisdom of our generations past

[Thank yous in our native languages]

Gracias, our guardians, gracias, bless your soul
Gracias, our guardians, gracias, ajo

Til the universe brings us back together.

Guardians

Pop Samples

Keep On

Prove Myself

I wrote this song based on my experience and journey as a marketing professional in New Zealand who quit my job and moved to the other side of the world to pursue music. This began with me living off my savings and playing street music to survive. I was up against the wishes and judgement of family and peers which made it that much harder. 

12 months before this song was released, I had a phone call with my Dad. He was very worried and was pressuring me to 'get a real job' and stop drifting in life. I tried to justify myself but I wasn't getting through to him. I hung up and had a bit of a cry.. then I wrote this song, to motivate myself and keep the fire burning inside. 

When I played this song on the streets of Cologne, or at Open Mic Nights, people would stop and listen. Afterwards, they would tell me how much they related to the lyrics and shared their stories and challenges in pursuing their idea of happiness. Photographers, Wedding Planners, Restaurant Owners and even Social Workers would tell me that this song resonated with their own experiences. From that moment, I knew my purpose as an artist would be to inspire and motivate those people who were seeking greatness outside of their comfort zone. To be that little push of encouragement on the bad days and the wind behind them on the good ones. 

This song is dedicated to all of those wonderful brave people who shared their stories with me. Thank you for being you and not settling in life. Thank you for giving me purpose. 

Ant

Brave

This song was written to remind us to be there for those close to us. Mental health is an important issue in society today, and too many of us are keeping our issues to ourselves rather than asking for help. Often our closest friends and family are going through tough times on the inside and we have no idea. This song serves two purposes. It is a call to everyone to be open to sharing their problems and to know they have people there to support them. It is also a reminder to look deeper and more carefully at your loved ones and to make sure they know you have their back.

My home of New Zealand is often touted as a paradise - 'clean, green, peaceful and beautiful'. And it is! However we have one of the highest suicide rates in the western world. That rate is far worse when you look at the statistics of teenagers. I believe this to be a cultural thing. Specifically, men often don't share feelings and emotions for fear of looking like 'less of a man'. This is a cultural attitude I want to break. In my song I Got Your Back, there are two men, one consoling the other after a break up. One mate, looking after the other, just how it should be.

As you listen to this song, please know that help is there if you seek it, but also be reminded to watch out for the people you care about. Let them know you're there to break their fall.

Lyrics:

When you feel misunderstood
She’s packed her things and left for good
I got your back
Driving home in disbelief
Tears rolling, salt stains on your sleeve
I got your back

Although you’re feeling small
I’ll be there to take your call

Cos I've got your back
Like you had mine in my darkest hour
When all you see black
You can lean on me, we’ll forget this day together
Cos you know I got your back
You know I got your back

You can cry, just let it out
Tonight we’ll lift away the clouds
Cos I got your back
Tomorrow we’ll be moving on
You know that life’s a marathon
And I got your back

Although you’ve lost it all
I’m here to break your fall
Cos I've got your back
Like you had mine in my darkest hour
When all you see black
You can lean on me, we’ll forget this day together
Cos you know I got your back

Just trust me, you’ll soon see
This is just one moment of your long, long life
Believe it, that’s the spirit
Soon, it’ll be your time to thrive

Cos I've got your back
Like you had mine in my darkest hour
When all you see black
You can lean on me, we’ll forget this day together
Cos I got your back
Like you had mine in my darkest hour
When all you see black
You can lean on me, we’ll forget this day together
Cos you know I got your back
You know I've got your back
You know I got your back, ohhh
I got your back

Ant Utama

Popular tracks