I think, like many artists do, that writing can be a kind of therapy. I simply feel better after putting my feelings into a song. And this song, Back On Your Life, is a special kind of therapy for me. Last week a former student and now friend gave me a call and asked to meet with me. Hadn’t seen my friend in four or five months, but that wasn’t that odd — life happens and we all get busy. When we met up it was absolutely, painfully clear that my friend was profoundly, terminally ill. I wish I could say there was an upside to this, but there isn’t. That meeting really was a last goodbye.

I had been working on Back On Your Life for a few years now. Yes years and I could never finish it. This song isn’t really about my friend — it’s about Sonya and me and about getting older. But I will always be thankful that the meeting with my friend gave me the sense of purpose to complete the song.

This version of Back On Your Life is a demo with my very less than stellar vocals. Maybe I’ll re-record it with a “real” vocalist. Maybe not. Either way, I’m happy it’s done.

Here are the lyrics:

Verse 1

So some of our dreams were broken
Some lost, some unspoken
Don’t need to know
What the hurt surely shows
That this was all we had to give

Pre-Chorus

Look away
For a moment
Look away
And you’ll be looking

Chorus

Back on your life
Back on your life

Verse 2

Today I look at
Could have beens and should haves
With more life behind me
Than there is in front of me
But that was all I had to give

Pre-Chorus

Look away
For a moment
Look away
And you’ll be looking

Chorus

Back on your life
Back on your life

Verse 2

When the time arrives
To say goodbyes
You need know
That I loved you so
And I’ll miss you always

Pre-Chorus

Look away
For a moment
Look away
And you’ll be looking

Chorus

Back on your life
Back on your life

Chorus Out

Back on your life
Back on your life