This song was itself a blessing during our school's weekly Chapel worship in the Anglo-Chinese Junior College, the very Monday immediately following Mom's major stroke on 29 Sep 2013, Sunday. As the student worship-leader shared the first notes of the song, I was completely broken and surrendered in tears backstage. Every thought, phrase and intention of Ms Laura Story's song spoke to me - DIRECTLY. 

"Blessings" then became an anthem I keep close in my heart and on frequent replays on my iPhone. After a full day in college and then trying my utmost best to bring some measure of good cheer and energy to Mom, Dad, Bro and our wonderful helper Hnin (more a daughter-sister our family never had).  Even as we knew the imminent degeneration of Mom's condition as the cancer continues to consume her, her heart weakens and her body and spirit brittle in frailty, it was still a daily choking-pain for her and the rest of us to see this jovial woman-warrior silenced and trapped in her own body as the stroke took away her ability to speak and move. I do not for one bit miss the helplessness all of us shared when gestures, gadgets and guesses failed to connect Mom and us.

When Mom eventually passed on on Good Friday 17 Apr 2014, "Blessings" continued to be a song of deep healing as waves of tears readily aflood with each review of the song. I could never sing it. For that matter, no song came from me in Mom's last months. As Mom was silenced, so was my voice.

Till now. 

This is music-archive project is for Him - for the music and angels He sent my family all these months. And this recording is in my ever loving memory of a woman who in her simplicity and "lack of education", exemplified for us what compassion, tenacity and a love for people and life really CAN mean. 
Thanks Mom. 
Thank you Lord, please watch over her for me? Even though she never accepted Jesus Christ as her personal saviour, Mom knows and deeply appreciates the transformation YOU have made in our family.

Written by: Laura Story
Originally performed by: Laura Story

Produced by: Ruth Ling and Bryan Tay for Red Roof Records
Arranged by: Bryan Tay
Cello performed by: Tang Jia
Recorded by: Bryan Tay at Red Roof Studios
Editing by: Bryan Tay
Mixed and Mastered by: Jerry Chua at Myx Music Studios

"Blessings" (In loving memory of Mom) - Cover of Ms Laura Story's beautiful original

This is the latest addition to my humble music project "Acoustically Yours - Songs of Hope" (still-working title).

"He Will Not Let Go" is another of Laura Story's anointed compositions. Chanced upon it as I was praying for songs that could assure families and friends who may be walking the fine line of managed-despair, controlled-frustration and stoic-optimism. And this song came up in the iTunes Store. And so, I headed back into the ever-cozy Red Roof studio and recorded it. Thanks to Bryan & Ruth for accommodating this eleventh hour inclusion.

Hope the Lord reveals His peace and will to you and your loved ones through this song. Again, please feel free to share it with your loved ones and anyone whom the song can bless.
*Only as song-gifts, NEVER for monetary profit.

"He Will Not Let Go" - Laura Story

It may take time, on this journey slow
What lies ahead, I'm not sure I know
But the hand that holds this flailing soul
He will not let go

There may be days, when I cannot breathe
There may be scars, that will stay with me
But the deepest stains, they will be washed clean
And He will not let go

When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay
When grief has paralyzed my heart
His grip holds even tighter than the dark

I've heard it said, this too shall pass
The joy will come, that the hurt won't last
So I will trust that within His grasp
I am not alone
For He will not let go

Credit:
Originally written & recorded by Ms Laura Story
Arranged, Piano-instrumental & Produced by Bryan Tay, Red Roof Records, Singapore
Mixed by Jerry Chua, Myx Music Studios, Singapore

"He Will Not Let Go" (Cover of yet another Laura Story's moving original)

At the cusp of a New Chapter,
the Dawn of a New Hope.
Everyday in Him, with Him, for Him.

"Who, But Jesus"
Lyrics & Music: Laura Story (anointed and always authentic)
Producers: Madeleine Tan, Ruth Ling, Patrick Sum
Arrangement: Madeleine Tan
Violinist: Jane Tan (most talented yet so humble healer through music!)
Mixed by: Jerry Chua, Myx Studios, Singapore 

"Who, But Jesus"
Who but Jesus, loves the sinner?
Who but Jesus, calls him friend?
Reaches out to touch the leper,
Bids the weary come to Him?
Who but Jesus, loves the lowly,
Those the world has cast outside?
And with such scandalous compassion
Makes a wretch his chosen bride?

Who but Jesus, dwells among us,
Called this broken world His home?
Took on flesh and pain and sorrow
Reaping what He did not sow?
With the lost He shared salvation,
With the thief He shared a cross,
All that we might share His riches,
Who but Christ would give it all?

Who but Jesus?
Who but Jesus?

Who but Jesus, loves the sinner
Enough to give His life?
Love too pure for men to merit,
Praise too glorious to deny.
Praise Him now with my joy in living,
As in death my comfort rests.
Who but Jesus, loves this sinner
He alone is my righteousness.

Who but Jesus?
Who but Jesus?
Who but Jesus?
Who but Jesus?


"Who, But Jesus" (Cover of Ms Laura Story's original)

This is likely one of the first Mandarin tunes that impacted me most as a teenager. I recall my first hearing of the tune was during lunch after returning home from school and this was played on Rediffusion (not a chemistry phenomenon but a popular Radio-service in Singapore way back when), and I just stopped eating to listen to the Zheng's bright, soaring soprano voice. Its lilting melody remains as one of the most beautiful tunes ever. Years on, the lyrics which can easily be dismissed as yet another "sappy love song", hit home big time for me when it revealed the achingly humbling possibility, of one singing it as a Song of Growth & Journey to his/her younger self. Thankful again to the Red Roof Team for helping me realise a personal snapshot of this hauntingly intimate re-interpretation.

“天堂” 
originally sung by 郑怡
lyrics & music by 郑华娟
cover sung by Pat Sum
produced by Bryan Tay (Red Roof Records) & Pat Sum
arranged by Bryan Tay
Acoustic Guit by Daniel Chai
Guest Oboeist, Maestro Seow Yibin (my Oboe-idol since when he was a student in the ACJC MEP) - Thanks Yibs for gracing my humble project with your always heartfelt and moving musicianship.
Recorded in the Red Roof Studio @ Red Roof Records
Mixed by Jerry Chua, Myx Music Studio, Singapore

Lyrics in English (Sum humble attempt at translation)
Hey there my love/friend
It’s not that I do not wish to be by you
It’s just that I ve assumed Heaven is always in the distant horizon
Hey there my love/friend
I ll be candid to share that our life journeys share resemblances –
We were both searching and seeking.

Just as each day turns to night 
and then night to day
With the passing of time
And the journeying of life
I have hoped
And doubted
en route this journey of dream

I have sighed and dismayed 
day and night,
longing just to tell you that
where love is absent
there can be no Heaven

"天堂 (Heaven)" - a Mandarin Cover of an 80s Taiwanese Classic by the vocal legend Zheng Yi 郑仪

"Lagenda (Legend/Legacy)" - cover of the beautiful Malay Classic by the One & Only Sheila Majid

Composed by Singapore's very own music legends, Mr Dick Lee and the late Iskandar Ismail, this is the Love Theme the Hong Kong movie in the 90s "She Man, He Woman" sung by and starring the late Leslie Cheung and co-starring Anita Mui and Anita Yuen.

Often performed in more sentimental ballad form, thankful to the Red Roof Team to have updated it with a more light-hearted, joyful groove.

The song speaks of the pursuit of one's happiness - that, regardless of the goals or direction, it is always most meaningful when anchored in the warm love of families and friends, and the ties that bind =)

Original Song Credit
Performed by Mr Leslie Cheung
Lyricist: Lin See
Composer: Mr Dick Lee
Original Arrangement: the late Mr Iskandar Ismail

Cover
Produced by Ruth Ling & Bryan Tay
Arranged by Bryan Tay
Acoustic Guitar by Daniel Chai
Additional keys by Bryan Tay
Recorded at Red Roof Records Studio
Mixed by Jerry Chua, Myxed Studio Singapore 

"追 (Pursuit)" - Cover of Leslie Cheung's Cantopop Original

This is one simple melody that beautifully weaves the plain-speaking lyrics that speak of a spouse/partner's deep appreciation for the better half's unwavering love, and promises to outlive the other, just so to spare the him/her the ache of grief and loss. Beautiful classic.
* The original version is from the point of view of a wife to her husband. I've taken the liberty to switch the pronoun to the first person to effect a more generic love song of gratitude for a very special other.

歌曲：家後 (“Wife/home support”; Better Half/Spouse)
作词/Lyricist：郑进一/ 陈维祥　作曲/Composer：郑进一
歌手/Vocalist：江惠/ Jody Jiang Hui
Covered by: Pat Sum
Produced & Arranged by Bryan Tay, Red Roof Records
Recorded @ Red Roof Studio
Mixed by Jerry Chua, Myx Music Studios

Verse 1:
有一日 咱若老　找無人甲咱友孝
When the day comes when we are of age, when no one is by our sides
我會陪你　坐惦椅寮
I will be by you, sitting on the bench,
聽你講少年的時陣　你有外摮
Listening to you boast of your (my) achievements in your(our) youth.
吃好吃醜無計較　怨天怨地嘛袂曉
Regardless the highs and lows in our journey since
你的手　我會甲你牽條條
Your hands, I will hold, ever so tightly
因為我是你的家後
Because I’m your/ You’re my eternal wife/spouse/partner

Chorus:
阮將青春嫁置恁兜　阮對少年跟你跟甲老
I married into your family in my youth, I’ve devoted myself to you ever since.
人情世事已經看透透　有啥人比你卡重要
I’ve experienced all of life’s joys and sorrows, no one is more important to me than you.
阮的一生獻乎恁兜　才知幸福是吵吵鬧鬧
The life I’ve shared with you, is testament that blessings and bliss are in our squabbles and banter.
等待返去的時陣若到　我會讓你先走
When our time on this earth comes to a close, I would rather bid you farewell
因為我會嘸甘　放你為我目屎流
Cos’ I cannot bear to leave you, all alone, shedding tears for me


Verse 2:
有一日咱若老　有媳婦子兒友孝
One day when we are of old-age, with sons and daughter-in-laws showing their devotion to us
你若無聊　拿咱的相片
Should you be bored and flip through our old albums
看卡早結婚的時陣　你外緣投
Of when we first wed, you/I looked so handsome then
穿好穿醜無計較　怪東怪西嘛袂曉
It did not matter our material wealth, I have no regrets, none whatsoever.
你的心我會永遠記條條　因為我是你的家後
Your love, I will forever remember, because I am your eternal wife/spouse/partner.
(Chorus)


"家后 (My Better Half)" - Cover of a beautiful Taiwanese Hokkien tune originally by 江惠

One of the very few songs that profoundly move me each time I hear it... Nordeman is a gifted lyricist who penned the words to this one through the shifting points of view of an innocent child-narrator, the crucified Jesus and the pained, magnanimous God...

"Why"
Performed, Written & Composed by Nicole Nordeman
Covered by Pat Sum
Arranged by Tan Wei Zhen
Recorded in the Red Roof Studio
MIxed by Jerry Chua from Myx Music Studios, Singapore

"Why"
We rode into town the other day
Just me and my daddy
He said I'd finally reached that age
And I could ride next to him on a horse 
That of course was not quite as wide

We heard a crowd of people shouting
And so we stopped to find out why
And there was that man that my dad said he loved
But today there was fear in his eyes

So I said daddy why are they screaming
Why are the faces of some of them beaming?
Why is he dressed in that bright purple robe?
I'll bet that crown hurts him more then he shows
Daddy please can't you do something?
He looks as though he's gonna cry
You said he was stronger then all of those guys
Daddy please tell me why?
Why does everyone want him to die?

Later that day the sky grew cloudy
And daddy said I, should go inside
Somehow he knew things would get stormy
Boy was he right
But I could not keep from wondering 
If there was something he had to hide
So after he left I had to find out
I was not afraid of getting lost
So I followed the crowds
To a hill where I knew men had been killed
And I heard a voice come from the cross

And it said father why are they screaming?
Why are the faces of some of them beaming?
Why are they casting their lots for my robe?
This crown of thorns hurts me 
more then it shows
Father please can't you do something?
I know that you must, hear my cry
I thought I could handle, a cross of this size
Father remind me why?
Why does everyone want me to die?
Ooh When will I understand why...?

My precious son
I hear them screaming
I'm watching the face of the enemy beaming
But soon I will clothe you, in robes of my own
Jesus this hurts me much more then you know
But this dark hour
I must do nothing
Though I've heard    your unbearable cry
The power in your blood
Destroys all of their lies
Soon you'll see past their unmerciful eyes
Look there below 
See the child
Trembling by his  father's side

Now I can tell you why
He is why you must die...

"Why" (cover of Nicole Nordeman's moving original)

In the darkest of nights and gloomiest of days, this is another one of Nordeman's haunting song-plea that speaks of our collective need for an intimate moment with the Almighty One...

"Small Enough"
Written, composed by Stephanie D Shaw & Nichole Nordeman
Performed by Nicole Nordeman
Covered by Pat Sum
Arranged by "Maddie" Madeleine Tan
Piano by Maddie
Recorded in the Red Roof Studios
Mixed by Jerry Chua of Myx Music Studios, Singapore

"Small Enough"
Oh, great God
Be small enough to hear me now
There were times when I was crying
From the dark of Daniel's den
(And) I had asked you once or twice
If you would part the sea again
Tonight I do not need a
Fiery pillar in the sky
Just want to know you're gonna
Hold me if I start to cry
Oh, great God
Be small enough to hear me now

Oh, great God
Be close enough to feel you now
(Oh great God be close to me)
There have been moments
when I could not face Goliath on my own
how could I forget 
we marched Around 
our share of Jericho's,
But I will not be setting out
The fleece for you tonight
Just wanna know, 
that everything will be alright
Oh, great God be close enough to feel you now

Oh, praise and all the honour be
To the God of ancient mysteries
Whose every sign and wonder
Turn the pages of our history
But tonight my heart is heavy
And I cannot keep from whispering, 
this prayer
Are you there?

And I know you could leave writing
On the wall that's just for me
Or send wisdom, while I'm sleeping
Like in Solomon's sweet dreams
I don't need the strength of Samson
Or a chariot in the end
Just wanna know that,
you still know how many
hairs are on my head

Oh, great God
(Are you small enough)
Be small enough to hear
me now...

"Small Enough" (Voice & Piano)- Cover of Nicole Nordeman's song-plea

In the darkest of nights and gloomiest of days, this is another one of Nordeman's haunting song-plea that speaks of our collective need for an intimate moment with the Almighty One...

"Small Enough"
Written, composed by Stephanie D Shaw & Nichole Nordeman
Performed by Nicole Nordeman
Covered by Pat Sum
Arranged by "Maddie" Madeleine Tan
Piano by Maddie
Backing Vocals by Pat Sum & Tan Wei Zhen
Harmonies arranged by Maddie
Produced by Maddie Tan, Pat Sum and Tan Wei Zhen
Recorded in the Red Roof Studios
Mixed by Jerry Chua of Myx Music Studios, Singapore

"Small Enough"
Oh, great God
Be small enough to hear me now
There were times when I was crying
From the dark of Daniel's den
(And) I had asked you once or twice
If you would part the sea again
Tonight I do not need a
Fiery pillar in the sky
Just want to know you're gonna
Hold me if I start to cry
Oh, great God
Be small enough to hear me now

Oh, great God
Be close enough to feel you now
(Oh great God be close to me)
There have been moments
when I could not face Goliath on my own
how could I forget 
we marched Around 
our share of Jericho's,
But I will not be setting out
The fleece for you tonight
Just wanna know, 
that everything will be alright
Oh, great God be close enough to feel you now

Oh, praise and all the honour be
To the God of ancient mysteries
Whose every sign and wonder
Turn the pages of our history
But tonight my heart is heavy
And I cannot keep from whispering, 
this prayer
Are you there?

And I know you could leave writing
On the wall that's just for me
Or send wisdom, while I'm sleeping
Like in Solomon's sweet dreams
I don't need the strength of Samson
Or a chariot in the end
Just wanna know that,
you still know how many
hairs are on my head

Oh, great God
(Are you small enough)
Be small enough to hear
me now...

"Small Enough" (with Harmonies & BV) - Cover of Nicole Nordeman's song-plea

(photo credit: Mom's own album of herself as a teenager. Here with my cousin... Mom's gorgeous...)
When my producer and bro-in-music Bryan Tay shared his vision to record my vocals in one complete take to his painstakingly crafted and arranged duo-piano instrumentation, I was deeply apprehensive about this challenge... Of all the tunes recorded for "Acoustically Yours", this IS to date the song that I have never been able to a full sing-through without breaking down, especially after the bridge/moderation... 

Then studio-magic happened - the good Lord blessed the process - and choked as I was, the emotions were captured and reined in till literally the last note. And I had to turned quickly away from the mic and collapsed onto the RR Studio floor and wept - completely spent...

"Pat... this is beautiful..." was Bryan's choked voice over the headphones...

And so this is the 1st take of the song in its fullness...
I attempted it 2 more times in the studio, but none came close in authenticity as this 1st one...

So thank you Bryan for producing, arranging and playing the keys, and challenging me to go beyond my own perceived capacity...
Thank you so much again to maestro Jerry Chua from Myx Music Studios, Singapore for enhancing the sincerity of this very special duration of 5:07min...

Originally recorded by 鳳飛飛
- The Incomparable Taiwanese legend, the late Feng Fei Fei, who, after learning of her own cancer prognosis, recorded this song in memory of her late husband who passed on also due this dreadful ailment... She passed on on 3 Jan 2013, but insisted her only son and family lawyer to withhold the news of her passing from her fans till after the CNY festivities... I ve always loved the smoothness of her vocal tone and class as an artiste growing up... and I endeavour to humbly to do the same in my own music-making...)

"想要跟你飛"(Wish I could soar with you)
lyricist：何啟弘
melody：陳國華

半邊月 你的臉 我渡過故事的圓缺
(in the crescent moon, I see your face, as I journey life’s infrequent happily-ever-afters…)
點點的淚像星晨掛黑夜
(tear drops like starlights strewn the night skies)
倒映在回憶裡的畫面
(reflecting memories and moments…)

人分別　心跟隨　我擁抱這份緣的深淺
(ways part but hearts connect, I cherish deeply the ties forged)
回首看見生命的不完美　
(recollecting life’s  imperfections)
對你的感謝未曾停歇
(my gratitude for you has never ceased)

Chorus
你那裡需不需要有人陪
(do you need company where you are?)
你收不收得到我的思念
(do you receive/feel my nostalgia of you?)
(台)想要跟你飛 不免擱再找
(in Taiwanese dialect: how I wish I could soar with you, ending this search…)
陪在你身邊我什麼都不缺
(to be by your side would make Life complete)
你那裡有沒有人能聊天
(do you have anyone to have conversations with?)
我想要愛你疼你像從前
(how I wish I could love and care for you as before)
(台)想要跟你飛
(in Taiwanese dialect: how I wish I could soar with you)
天涯海角多遠我都不累
(to the ends of the earth, I will not tire,
牽你的手 歲歲年年
(holding your ends, forever and ever…)
* repeats verse 2 & chorus

Bridge
時間是愛的延長線
(time is the extenion of this love we share)
交錯著歲月  無數離合悲歡
(woven with life’s intricate moments of union and parting, joys and sorrows)
愛讓我看透  考驗後 才能擁有
(yet Love enlightens me, that it is only through these challenges, that we can have and to hold…)
幸福的夢～
(the bliss of our hopes and dreams),

Chorus2
我有沒有在 你的夢裡面
(but am I also in your dreams where you are now?)
我心裡空虛看不看的見
(do you see the emptiness/loneliness that I now feel?),
台）想要跟你飛　想要抱甲緊緊 聽你講話
(in Taiwanese dialect: how I wish I could soar with you, holding you tight and hearing your words)
親像過去 無改變
(in Taiwanese dialect: close/dear as before, without change…)
親像過去 無改變
(in Taiwanese dialect: close/dear as before, without change…)


"想要跟你飞“ (Wish I could soar with you...) - Cover of an aching tune of nostalgia

"Acoustically Yours 2016 - Touching Base"
- sum songs of hope, through re-connection, reflection and remembrance.
Music, Lyrics & originally recorded by: Billy Joel
Covered by: Pat Sum
Produced by: Pat, Robin & Ruth
Arranged by: Robin Wong
Recorded @ Red Roof Studio

“Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)” is the third single from Billy Joel’s last pop album, 1993’s River of Dreams. It was inspired by Alexa Ray Joel, his daughter by Christie Brinkley. Originally written as a monophonic Gregorian chant, in Latin, as an interlude before “River of Dreams,” the idea was scrapped and instead Joel wrote a sentimental piece dedicated to his daughter. The original scrapped interlude can be found in his box set My Lives."

Lyrics:
Goodnight, my angel
Time to close your eyes
And save these questions for another day
I think I know what you've been asking me
I think you know what I've been trying to say
I promised I would never leave you
And you should always know
Wherever you may go
No matter where you are
I never will be far away

Goodnight, my angel
Now it's time to sleep
And still so many things I want to say
Remember all the songs you sang for me
When we went sailing on an emerald bay
And like a boat out on the ocean
I'm rocking you to sleep
The water's dark
And deep inside this ancient heart
You'll always be a part of me

Goodnight, my angel
Now it's time to dream
And dream how wonderful your life will be
Someday your child may cry
And if you sing this lullabye
Then in your heart
There will always be a part of me

Someday we'll all be gone
But lullabyes go on and on...
They never die
That's how you
And I
Will be

"Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)" - Cover of Billy Joel's 1993 song-gift to his daughter

"Acoustically Yours 2016 - Touching Base"
- Sum songs of hope, through re-connection, reflection & remembrance...
Lyrics, Music & originally recorded by: Joni Mitchell (in 1967)
Covered by: Pat Sum
Produced by: Pat, Bryan & Ruth
Arranged by: Bryan Tay
Recorded @ Red Roof Studio (12 Dec 2016)

"Both Sides Now is a concept album by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell released in 2000. It is her seventeenth studio album. The album won two Grammy awards in 2001 for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album and Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) for the song "Both Sides, Now".

It traces the progress of the modern relationship through Mitchell's orchestral renditions of classic jazz songs. Two of Mitchell's own songs are also included, "A Case of You" (1971) and "Both Sides, Now" (1969). The orchestra was arranged and conducted by Vince Mendoza.

In the liner notes, co-producer Larry Klein describes the album as "a programmatic suite documenting a relationship from initial flirtation through optimistic consummation, metamorphosing into disillusionment, ironic despair, and finally resolving in the philosophical overview of acceptance and the probability of the cycle repeating itself" (Source: Wikipedia)

"Joni introduces the song this way at the White Swan in Leicester, England on September 16, 1967. Interestingly, she gave the same introduction - word for word - on October 12, 1967 at the Second Fret in Philadelphia:
This is a song that talks about sides to things. In most cases there are both sides to things and in a lot of cases there are more than just both. His and a hers. His and theirs. But in this song there are only two sides to things… there’s reality and I guess what you might call fantasy. There’s enchantment and dis-enchantment, what we’re taught to believe things are and what they really are." (Source: jonimitchell.com)

Lyrics:
Rows and floes of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I've looked at clouds that way

But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way

I've looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It's cloud illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all

Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way

But now it's just another show
You leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know
Don't give yourself away

I've looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, and still somehow
It's love's illusions I recall
I really don't know love at all

Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at life that way

But now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say I've changed
Well something's lost, but something's gained
In living every day

I've looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all

I've looked at life from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all
© 1967 Gandalf Publishing Co.

"Both Sides, Now" - Cover of Joni Mitchell's 1967 original

"Acoustically Yours 2016 - Touching Base"
~ Sum Songs-of-Hope, through re-connection, reflection and remembrance...

Lyrics, Music & Originally Recorded by : Stevie Nicks & Fleetwood Mac.
Covered by: Pat Sum
Produced by: Rebecca Tan, Pat Sum and Ruth Ling
Recorded @ Red Roof Studio (14 Dec 2016)

"Landslide" is a song written by Stevie Nicks and performed by British-American music group Fleetwood Mac. It was first featured on the band's 1975 eponymous album Fleetwood Mac. A live version was released as a single 23 years later from the live reunion album The Dance. This version reached number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart. "Landslide" was certified Gold in October 2009 for sales of over 500,000 copies in the US. According to Nielsen Soundscan, "Landslide" has sold 1,315,950 copies in the US as of February 2013.

Nicks has said that she wrote this song while she was contemplating going back to school or continuing on professionally with guitarist Lindsey Buckingham. Their album Buckingham Nicks had been dropped by Polydor Records and she and Buckingham were not getting along. She wrote the song while visiting Aspen, Colorado, sitting in someone's living room "looking out at the Rocky Mountains pondering the avalanche of everything that had come crashing down on us ... at that moment, my life truly felt like a landslide in many ways"

Lyrics:
I took my love and I took it down
Climbed a mountain then I turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well the landslide brought me down

Oh, mirror in the sky
What is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides
Can I handle the seasons of my life
Uh oh... I don't know

Well, I've been afraid of changin'
'Cause I built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Children get older
I'm getting older too

So, take this love and take it down
Yeah, and if you climb a mountain and ya turn around
And if you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well the landslide brought me down

Well, I've been afraid of changin'
'Cause I built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Children get older
I'm getting older too

Take this love and take it down
If you climb a mountain and you turn around
If you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well maybe
Then maybe
The landslide will bring you down...

"Landslide" - Cover of the 1975 Original by Stevie Nicks & Fleetwood Mac

Another home-based attempt at covering Coldplay's achingly beautiful classic. Kudos also goes to the 2018 USA Winter Olympics Ice-Dancing siblings duo, Maia and Alex Shibutani, whose 2016-2017 programme set to this song, is probably one of the most beautiful choreography I've ever enjoyed. (picture: ShibSibs with Coldplay @ 2017 iHeart Music Festival)
Recorded @ SumPATch, The Hillion Mall & Residence
with iPhone 7plus Voice Memos App
heartfelt thanks once again to the beautiful guitar instrumental shared on AcoustiClub's YouTube Channel.

Acoustically Yours

Fix You (Sum-cover of Coldplay's stirring original)

A 40 sum-thing English teacher by day and music-lover at heart, Pat is committed to live a purposed life, with passion and compassion, making music and singing-it-forward, with ever Hope, Joy and Love. "Acoustically Yours" began in Dec 2014 as a personal project to sing through the searing loss of his Mom on Good Friday of the same year. It has since evolved to be an open archive of songs of different languages, all celebrating the shared longing for hope and the need for intimate introspection - sum-essential music therapy so to speak. Thanks for pausing here and giving the songs a listen.

(Pat) Sum Music

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