- THE SONG BLOG -
As someone who's been married more than two decades, I've witnessed a lot of change in myself and my partner and I'm not just talking about change in hairstyle and waist size : ) One day my wife and I were chatting about the idea of how the chemistry between two people can help them grow as individuals and as a couple, in a similar way to the chemical reaction that happens between the different elements that make plants grow. I wrote down the title "Photosynthesis" and thought it could be a good idea for a love song. I was going through a phase of exploring my jazzy side and a musical idea bounced out one day with a cheeky little diminished chord or as I sometimes refer to them, "demolished chords". I had a writing session with Debra Alexander and we agreed that the two ideas could marry well together. The struggle was to keep the lyric simple and natural to contrast with the more complex chord movement. We worked hard at it and I'll never forget our last writing session, finishing the song in a friend's back yard looking out at the beautiful garden. Just as we finished, the sunshine turned to rain.
Check out the colourful music video below and feel free to share.
- THE RECORDING -
The tracks were recorded during a session at the Drive Shed studio in Toronto and the idea was to keep the production nice and organic and keep it bouncing and alive. Drew's acoustic bass and Roger's drums and percussion set a fine groove. Justin added some tasty acoustic guitar and then Ron Lopata laid down some vintage Fender Rhodes piano which added a cool vibe. I recorded my lead vocals with the help of my good friend Brian Allen at his studio and he managed to get the performance from me that we needed.
Recorded at The Drive Shed in Toronto. Engineered by John Bailey. Additional overdubs at Jeddart Music & Dixie South Recording 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 - David Leask. Acoustic & electric guitars - Justin Abedin. Drums & percussion - Roger Travassos. Acoustic bass - Drew Birston. Rhodes Piano & organ - Ron Lopata.
- THE LYRIC -
A little rain a little sun
Is all a flower needs
A little pain a little love
Keeps changing you and me
We’ve got our own photosynthesis, it’s a natural thing we do
You keep growing on me I keep growing on you
A little time a little space
A blossom comes alive
A little give a little take
That’s how our love survives cause
We’ve got our own photosynthesis, it’s a natural thing we do
You keep growing on me and I’ll keep growing on you
Through every dark night we can hold on
Wake up to the light
Shining on this garden we have grown
We’ve got our own photosynthesis, it’s a natural thing we do
You keep growing on me and I’ll keep growing on you
You keep growing on me and I’ll keep growing on you
© 2008 David Leask/Songs In The Air & Debra Alexander/Word Maven Music