Track 7 - STRONGER BACK

- THE SONG BLOG -
As a songwriter who has written many songs over the years, I'm always on a quest for the true song, one that seems natural & timeless in its combination of words and music. This search takes place not only during my own writing process but also when I'm listening to other writers.  To me there's nothing quite like hearing a writer tell the story and then bowl you over with their performance of the song.  I was down in Gulf Shores, Alabama at the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival and heard Doug Gill perform Stronger Back.  It struck me that this was as true a song as you'll find.  Doug Gill wrote the tune 6 weeks after 9/11 while he was going through a tough time and he saw a church sign that read "Don't pray for a lighter load, pray for a stronger back". For me it captures that experience of struggle and hope we all face in life.   

- THE RECORDING -
In October 2012, I had booked sessions at Canterbury studios to record 6 songs for the album.  I decided to track Stronger Back first. The band ran through the song a few times and were sounding great live off the floor and it was only 11am.  There was definitely some magic in the air that we captured including a keeper lead vocal. Later on while adding overdubs, I brought in Quisha Wint who added her own magic with her one woman gospel choir.  

Recorded at Canterbury Music in Toronto. Engineered by Jeremy Darby. Overdubs at Jeddart Music in Mississauga. Mixed by Chad Carlson at Hippo Sound in Nashville and Mastered by Hank Williams. Produced by Justin Abedin & David Leask. Lead, BG Vocals & acoustic guitar - David Leask. Piano - Steve O'Connor. B3 Organ - Todd Lumley. Electric guitar - Justin Abedin. Drums & percussion - Mark Mariash.  Bass - Drew Birston. Pedal steel - Travis Toy.  Choir & counter vocals - Quisha Wint.

- LYRIC -
I had everything and lost it all
I built towers of gold and watched them fall
I tried my best, but I guess my best wasn't good enough
I made promises and broke them
I've laid loved-ones lives wide open
I've got a broken heart, but I've come this far and I ain't giving up

I pray for a stronger back
I pray for a bigger heart
I pray for the will to keep on walking
When the way is dark
I follow that winding road
I just try to stay on track
I don't pray for a lighter load
I pray for a stronger back

I've seen losers get a second chance
I've seen miracles and happenstance
I've seen long shots come from way behind to win the race
I've had dreams blow up in a cloud of smoke
It's a world of pain, it's a world of hope
And it's dark right now, but I know somehow
Someday the sun will find a way to shine down on my face

I pray for a stronger back
I pray for a bigger heart
I pray for the will to keep on walking
When the way is dark
I follow that winding road
I just try to stay on track
I don't pray for a lighter load
I pray for a stronger back

© 2001 C D Gill/Peacehouse Music

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