“Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.” William James
Songs For The Keys To Your Life is probably the longest title for a song of mine that is short in performance time, clocking in at 3:04 minutes. And not to be confused with Stevie Wonder’s great song, Songs In The Key of Life.
I tend to open up most of my performances with this song because it helps to loosen me up on the guitar, stretch my vocals and it’s easy on the ears. I thought I would share why this song was written.
Many years ago I was with a good friend of mine who is an accomplished guitarist and one who I had the pleasure of performing with in a band many years ago. A good guy, talented performer, a hard worker and successful in his business endeavors. In our chat, I asked him if he planned to gig again with a band…”no” was his response, because of various reasons. I thought to myself, how sad, because he has a gift with music and it is something that he loves to do. I’m not talking about giving up one’s career and going on the road, but the pursuit of a ‘weekend warrior’ gig that so many musicians embrace – one that my friend had accomplished successfully for many years. I know how hard it is, trying to make a living in music and the arts, but there are many opportunities to still stay engaged with your craft while you hold down the 9 – 5 job that supports the family and the home. These thoughts were what kick-started my initial ideas to write the song…but there were also a few other reasons why this song came to be.
I’ve had the good fortune to travel around the country with my performances and presentations and I have met so many incredibly gifted musicians, artists and creative folks. Sadly, too many do not pursue their creative muse and passion. I understand that while embroiled in depression or the issues of trauma and abuse, one can get sidetracked. I’ve been there myself. The simple act of practicing and staying engaged with your creativity will do wonders in the healing process. Unfortunately, many people are discouraged from following their dreams of artistic endeavors. This is wrong, to dissuade someone from having fun and creating is shameful. Why others will mock and scoff at those who have ideas and dreams of creativity is beyond my level of understanding. We need to be encouraging people to follow their bliss, especially when folks are struggling with emotional difficulties. These thoughts were also swirling about in the creation of my song.
I am mindful that there are some health issues that physically keep you from your craft, that is not what I am talking about. I struggled for a few years due to the removal of a arthritic left thumb joint and that took time to heal and allow me to play the guitar again. That was a depressing time….and so grateful that it is behind me.
This song was also written to me….my struggles in life left me bereft of hope at times, and in those moments of darkness I just wanted to run for the hills and hide away some where up in the wilds of Maine or Canada. I simply wanted to remove myself from the mainstream of life and disconnect to all that I knew. I know I was hurting to want to give up on music, as it has been the one constant in my life keeping me sane and alive since childhood. So the song was also written as a message to me, to not give up, to keep going, even when down. I may have been bent, but I was not broken…somewhere, somehow the fires of creativity and passion for my muse still smoldered and I took the time and the effort to reignite and invigorate the love of music that will always be with me.
There are many reasons why a songwriter crafts a song, these are part of the reasons why this song came to be.
This tune was a favorite of my granddaughter’s for many years. If I didn’t write this song, I would have never been able to watch her impromptu dance recitals that she created to perform for her family and me, while the recorded version of Songs For The Keys To Your Life played in the background.
I hope that you are engaged in singing the Songs For The Keys To Your Life.
Slaving away, worked your fingers to the bone
The grindstone is all that you see
Once made of gold, now turned so cold
Your hands have forgotten your dreams
Do you even know, do you even care
When did you drop the keys?
The keys to your dreams, the music to your soul
Remember how you once sang to me
Chorus
Songs for the keys to your life
Songs for the keys to your life
Songs for the keys to your life
Have you sung the song for the keys to your life?
Verse II
Wasting away, what’s there to say
Of all of the things that you loved
Now all I see, is broken inside
Is the love of only your wealth.
Is that now the dream, manipulations and schemes?
You’ve climbed your way to the top
You look around, what do you see?
A wasteland of all that you loved
Chorus
Take care, Michael Skinner
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“Music can change the world because it can change people.” Bono
“SONGS FOR THE KEYS TO YOUR LIFE” © Michael Skinner Music – Listen to a two minute clip
Music & Healing –
Resources for Trauma, Abuse & Mental Health – 2015-07-The_Surviving_Spirit_Newsletter_July_2015
