The New Tunes Showcase is a regular event on Twitch, which involves multiple streamers coming together to share their own original songs, plus a new song which they will have written for the event, inspired by a given prompt.
The event is hosted by Together Wherever Music, initiated by the wonderful Irene Pena. Go ahead, go and follow their channel. https://www.twitch.tv/togetherwherevermusic
Usually based in the US, December 2023 was the first time there was a European branch of the show, preceding the regular US slot.
I was delighted to have been asked to participate, thanks to kind recommendations from some regular visitors to my stream. Passive networking at its finest!
The prompt – “A light in the dark”.
The prompt we were all given was suitably vague and open to interpretation, offering quite a large scope to anyone with creativity.
I had begun working on a song which happened to fit the theme very well, so the added pressure of a deadline was only going to help me to get it done.
My song reflects on how I’ve tried through the years to provide some light to a dear friend who has been through some very dark times. It also captures my feelings of guilt that I haven’t been very effective at making any difference to him, as his illness has progressed.
it’s a very personal song, but since putting it out there, it seems that people easily relate to it, and it hits the emotions hard.
I think it touches on the universal theme of unfulfilled promises, and regrets. We can all relate, one way or another.
The first ever play of “Stormy waters”
Here’s the first ever play of this new song, live at the New Tunes Showcase, December 2023.
I love the reaction at the end. You can tell that people were affected by the song, and that’s amazing to me. Anyway, read on for the lyrics!
Stormy waters – the lyrics
Alan Thompson 2023
I remember your shine
Or just the after-glow
From so long ago.
Now you’re lost in the dark
Just a fading spark
Not the one I used to know
And I, I always thought
You and I we’d play forever
I kinda loved you like a brother
And I, I’ll always wonder
maybe i could have done more
to calm the stormy waters.
I saw you light up the room
With your favourite tunes
With my wingman I could fly
Through the smoke and the lights
We used to play the nights
And you burned so damn bright
That I, I always thought
You and I we’d play forever
I kinda loved you like a brother
And I, I’ll always wonder
maybe i could have done more
to calm the stormy waters.
To the stars you sailed too far
Now you’re stranded in the dark
Can’t find a way home
And I tried, I tried to be kind
To throw a switch and shine a light
But the fuse had blown
But I, I always thought
You and I we’d play forever
I kinda loved you like a brother
And I, I’ll always wonder
maybe i could have done more
to calm the stormy waters.
I remember your shine
Or just the after glow
I’d love to know what you think – please feel free to leave a comment!
Beautiful and the lyrics resonate . There’s always that feeling , could I have done more ?
Nice melody .. ‘loved you like a brother’ changes theme of song as you think you’re singing about a partner / boyfriend / girlfriend etc but actually a friendship ? Maybe I have that wrong but that’s how lyrics are, they mean different things to different people … which is a very good way of connecting and being meaningful to any individual who listens
Thanks Donna, yes it’s about a friend.
One of the things I like about the song is that the chord pattern is exactly the same for the verse sections and the chorus sections. It only ever changes in the break.
Thanks for listening, and leaving a comment 🙂
I’m sure so many of us can relate to the lyrics of this song. Reaching out to those that are hurting or needing encouragement can sometimes be discouraging especially when we are very close to them and care deeply for them. Thank you for sharing this song it touched my soul.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Yes, I was hoping that some of the lyrics are vague enough to be interpreted in different ways by whoever is listening. Thanks 🙂