RIGGS ROAD REVIVAL
Q: What inspired you to write “You’re Amazing”? It started with the chorus line. It was rattling around in my brain for a while. Each time I played it on the guitar it made me think about several very personal relationships in my life over an extended period of time, so I decided to see if I could capture them in a song.
Q: Can you tell us more about the person who inspired the song? It’s actually more than one person and not all of them are still in my life anymore. The inspiration was the relationships themselves and how the relationships evolved over time in the face of the inevitable challenges life presents. Those relationships and the people involved are amazing.
Q: The song has such vivid imagery. How do you approach writing lyrics that paint such a clear picture?Thank you! The approach was to be deliberately vague. We wanted listeners to be able to engage with the lyrics in a manner most comfortable to each listener. So instead of telling the story as a specific narrative of events, I chose to use images. This provides more opportunity for listeners to find something relatable in the song; something that’s meaningful to the listener irrespective of what’s meaningful to me.
Q: The natural elements mentioned in the song—winds, rivers, rains—are quite symbolic. What do they represent to you? Good catch! Those elements have long been used in various forms of art to represent emotions & phases of life. When combined I was hoping to capture the essence of a storm.
Q: The phrase “Once upon a memory” gives the song a nostalgic feel. What memories were you reflecting on when writing this song? It’s funny you ask that because there were a ton of memories clamoring for attention when that line was first written. There were several stories all wanting to be told so I had to take some time and stay true to the chorus line which was about those special relationships that began a long time ago and the people who are still amazing today.
Q: How do you interpret the chorus’ imagery of high winds, dry rivers, and never-ending rain? This is an example of the vivid imagery you were asking about before. For me that’s the storm that accompanies a close, personal relationship. But perhaps for someone else who isn’t in the mood for a storm at that moment, it can have a different meaning.
Q: The song transitions from tumultuous weather to calm conditions. What does this change signify? For me it’s how relationships have weather patterns. The storms will abate and there will be calm and pleasant moments, then the storms might return and the cycle continues.
Q: What message do you hope listeners take away from “You’re Amazing”?v Whatever message they find meaningful to them.
Q: The lyrics mention overcoming winters and tears. How do these experiences shape the song’s narrative? For me that’s the heart of the song. You are still amazing in spite of all the cold winters and tears we’ve been through.
Q: The bridge of the song talks about shifting timepieces and fairy tales. Can you explain the significance of these lines? That’s a reference to the fairytale stories that end with, “And they lived happily ever after”. Time has shifted us away from the fairytale to something much more real and more meaningful.
Q: How did you come up with the idea to use natural elements as metaphors for life’s challenges? Well, the old adage, “There is nothing new under the sun” applies here. These images have been used in all art forms over time and they resonate deeply with me. So for YA I liked the idea of combining them to capture the emotional storm that arises during the challenges of a relationship.
Q: How do you balance storytelling and emotional expression in your songwriting? This is the essence of being deliberately vague. If I tell you my story in a step by step manner there’s a good chance it may not connect with you, especially if you aren’t in the mood to listen to my tale. But perhaps if I can use imagery and invite you to engage in any manner you wish then maybe you’ll find your own story in there instead.
Q: In the creative process, did you encounter any challenges while writing “You’re Amazing”? Definitely! It’s easy to get carried away with the imagery and have it become a crutch. I wanted the song to be easy to listen to but not cliché. A couple of the first takes made me cringe!
Q: How does “You’re Amazing” fit into the overall theme and style of your music? Rhythm & Roll is a genre that incorporates a wide range of influences. YA leans into the rock and roll & salty optimism side of it
Q: Can you describe the emotions you felt while recording this song? It was a little bit of a therapy session actually, it forced me to write down how I felt about those relationships. And it reinforced how important those people are to me.
Q: Do you have any specific influences or inspirations that shape your songwriting? Artists who have longevity spanning several decades. Everything from Motley Crue to Jimmy Buffet, Miranda Lambert to Bruce Springsteen.
Q: How do you hope “You’re Amazing” impacts your listeners? In any way that’s meaningful and positive to them.
Q: What role do personal experiences play in your music? Every song of our relates a personal experience of some sort. We write about our own personal experiences, hopes & dreams.
Q: How do you feel about the reception of “You’re Amazing” by your fans? We are very grateful to those who take the time to listen to our music and follow us. Thank you to all our fans!
Q: What was the most rewarding part of creating this song? When friends & family said they loved it without us having to ask.
Q: Can you share any behind-the-scenes stories from the recording process of “You’re Amazing”? When I first introduced the chorus idea to Dave we were in his studio late in the evening and had had a few beers. I played the chorus line then strummed a few ideas for the verse, then he started strumming it and added a couple of very cool chord progressions to the verse. Our second take that evening we captured on our phone and it’s obvious when listening to it now how into the song we already were then, and how many beers we’d had!!
