As with every song, 'In Time' has a history.
It started with a beat.
I was experimenting with some hip-hop rhythms for the centrepiece of what was designed to be a musical. This song was meant to be the rousing theme, setting out the main character's motivation and path to redemption. But I just had the beat. So when I started on the 'Alibis' album, I though I'd return to the beat and, as in so many cases, it took a complete left turn.
The piano and synths were added, with new chords and a different melody, which changed the original idea completely; giving it something of a 'spacey' feel. I began musing on the concept of time and its passing. Then I saw Christopher Nolan's film 'Interstellar' again on TV. I'd seen it in the cinema some time previously, but then the 'time' concept started to meld with the concept of home and particularly our planet. That's when the 'some of us for all of us' concept came to the fore and the song started really to take shape. If we're talking rockets then we have to have a blast off, which then brought in the middle section. A roar of engines and a howl of determination to succeed and survive. To the synths and 2 different beats I added guitars, tuned down from E to D to match the synths. The demo was completed and I then took it to Matt at Untapped Talent in Southampton to record the vocals. At this stage the tempo increased slightly as it was just too slow (moody is one thing, soporific is another). I also changed the melody in the vocal booth, but that risk was definitely one worth taking.
It was getting towards Christmas and I'd always thought of doing an 'alternative' Christmas single. This had a message of hope at its heart and of course looking at a star - to the east? Who knows? But anyway, that was where the sleigh bells came in, which lifts the chorus.
But there's no escape from time and so if lands back gently into melancholy with us all being in this together - if only that were true.
So I had the song. Now what to do with it?
As the songs for 'Alibis' were coming thick and fast. It was obviously a great closing track.
Enter James Goodman into my Facebook timeline, via Sara Vian of the Frome Music Industry Network. James was running an international songwriting competition to complement his already successful film competition, based on climate change. The theme of the competition was 'Climates at Christmas' and 'In Time' fitted perfectly into that ethos.
So, nothing ventured, nothing gained; I submitted the track and it won. That was in November 2022. I just had the song at that time, although the other tracks for 'Alibis' were nearly finished. It was then a case of polishing those tracks and getting them ready for release, that process has taken most of this year.
Anyway, the song was released last Friday (3rd November 2023), competing of course with the final Beatles single (something always happens with my release dates), but we shall see how far it goes. Beyond the solar system? Possibly. But at least it's out there.
Next up, the story of the video, which can be found on this site and on my YouTube channel. Once again, it's an ingenious way of getting people to look at your holiday snaps (amongst other things). It certainly called for lateral thinking, creativity and a fair bit of dressing up.
The album is now ready. Artwork is in preparation and I now have to do one more video for another single prior to the album's release, hopefully early next year.
So until next time. Take care out there. Much love. T
Comments