The Meaning Behind the Songs: Thank You (#1)

Listen to "Thank You" or see the lyrics.


The first song on the CD, "Thank You," is what I call a shower song.  Why?  Because I started humming this melody in the shower and the song was mostly written about 30 minutes later!  That's always fun.


This song is about how meaning truly has infused everything.  From the flowers to the bees to the mountains to the ocean - the seemingly insignificant things in nature as well as the majestic things that we often feel dwarfed by.  He has infused our relationships with meaning, and every person we see walking around has meaning and purpose, dignity and beauty.      


But it's not meant to be a happy-go-lucky song about how everything is beautiful and meaningful.  There is an obvious need for redemption because, as beautiful as things are, things are also broken.  We are also broken.  That's what the second verse is about.


But both the second verse and the bridge look ahead.  There is a redemption coming.  Like the moon reflects the light of the sun, we see reflections and shadows of beauty and light and meaning now.  But later, when full redemption comes, we'll be able to see the sun itself - burning in all its brightness.


And for that, we are thankful.

The Meaning Behind the Songs: Sing

To celebrate the release of Sing, I'm going to do a little "series" on this blog about the meaning behind each of the 13 songs on the new album.  I love it when I go to a concert and the musician gives me just a little insight... Why did he or she write it, under what circumstances, what's the heart of the song, etc.?  I hope you guys feel the same way!


For Part 1 of the 13 part series, I want to talk about why the album is called Sing in the first place.  The title track is #9, but "sing" has been a theme that has been coming up quite a bit for me in these past few years as I've been writing and struggling with what it means to be a "musician" and a "singer-songwriter".  I noticed that the word "sing" came up quite a bit in my songs as well - you might notice it too as you listen!


So....


About a year ago, I was on a retreat in New Hampshire, thinking and praying about music and what to do with all of these songs that kept coming.  


What was I supposed to do with this music thing?  Was I doing enough?  Was I making too much of it or too little?  Am I supposed to go and try to be a rock star, or am I supposed to give up altogether?  Am I terrible but no one is telling me?   


An image of a huge choir came to my mind.  In this picture, I am just one of hundreds of singers in the choir.  We are all singing different harmonies, and even different melodies, but we are singing the same Song.  As I sing, I wonder to myself, "Am I loud enough?" and "Shouldn't I have a solo or something?" and "What if I stopped singing - would anyone notice?  Do I make a difference?  Can anyone even hear me?"


God answers these questions for me by answering just that last question... He says "I can hear you. You are singing for me.  It doesn't matter if anyone else can hear you or if you have a solo or how good you are. Just sing."


And so I do.
          

It's here!

I am really excited to let you know that Sing, my new CD, is now available!  I worked really hard on it this summer, and it finally arrived in its completed form on Friday! 

How can you listen?
For the next week, you can listen to the new album in full between www.virb.com/carolinecobb and www.myspace.com/carolinecobbmusic.  I've also posted the lyrics on my website!

Where can you buy it?
From now until January 1, 2010, Sing will be for sale for just $10 through the online store at www.carolinecobb.com or you can buy it directly from me.  You'll also be able to buy the new album on iTunes, Amazon, and other online stores in about a month, so stay tuned!

Come out to celebrate!
I'll be having a CD release party Monday, November 9th at the Gulu Gulu Cafe in Salem, MA.  Mark it on your calendar!  The show will start at 8 PM with Kathryn O'Leary Baldanza and Annie Hard opening, and it's going to be really fun.  I'm really looking forward to this night and hope to see you!  If you can't make the release party, I have another concert on Friday, November 13!

 

I'm also planning/hoping to have a CD release party in Houston, TX on Saturday, December 19.  Time and location TBD, but I'll let you know when I know!

Please spread the word...      
If you like what you hear, consider spreading the word!  Facebook, tweet, blog a review, forward this e-mail... obviously, I'd love for you to share this information and it would be a huge support to me.

Thanks for all of your support!  Let me know what you think!