Say Anything: A Journey Through Simplicity
Welcome back to day two of our 11-part series, "I Ride Alone: The Rough Cuts." Today, I'm excited to introduce a track titled "Say Anything." This song, with its poetic essence and structure, was birthed from a month-long songwriting challenge, inspired by and emulating the legendary Johnny Cash.
At that time, I was deeply influenced by Cash's early work and his later collaborations with Rick Rubin. However, what truly captivated me was his songwriting philosophy, encapsulated in the acronym…
K.I.S.S. — Keep It Simple, Stupid.
This principle, emphasizing simplicity in songwriting and storytelling, deeply resonated with me. 1
Up until that point, my songwriting veered towards the poetic, often straying from the traditional pop song structure, which sometimes made it challenging for listeners to connect. Driven by a desire to embrace simplicity and vulnerability, I set myself a 30-day challenge:
to write a new song each day, focusing on conveying messages in the most straightforward manner possible.
This approach unlocked an incredible freedom in my songwriting process, allowing me to complete many songs in the series within just an hour or two. This newfound efficiency not only freed up mental space but also enabled me to focus on refining the delivery and expression of each song's message.
Out of the 8 to 10 songs penned that month, I recorded 5, and 4 made it onto the initial 10-track list for "I Ride Alone," including "Say Anything," "In My Arms," "Pilot Joan," “One,” and a fifth song that I'll save as a surprise. Each of these tracks carries a distinct sound and a rawness, creating a beautiful dichotomy with the other songs on the album.
This contrast highlights the softer and grittier sides of my sound, blending to make "I Ride Alone" particularly special to me. I look forward to the day I can fully flesh out this project in a studio and taking it on tour.
"Say Anything," in particular, emerged as I awoke from a dream on a lonely, cold, almost gray day. The first few lines,
I’ve been feeling kind of lonely
just sitting here at home
pondering the essence of life
and wondering where you've gone
came to me instantly, and I repeated them, allowing the song to unfold in a stream of consciousness. It's one of the most naturally written songs I've ever composed. As I mention in the intro, I can't say who this song was for, but if it speaks to you, if you can relate, then “it's yours”. Please, "Say Anything," and stay tuned for tomorrow when we dive into track three, "Fire."
Say Anything - Elliot Andrew - I Ride Alone
Lyrics
Intro
I couldn’t tell you who this is for
But if it’s for you
It’s yours
Verse 1
I’ve been feeling kind lonely
Just sitting here at home
Pondering the essence of life, and
Wondering where you’ve gone
Sometimes I just get tired
And I, wonder if you feel the same
Well, maybe if we
Tear down these boarders, and
Fire all the palace guards
We can finally run away
Prechorus
I know this castle is your home
But the kingdoms’s overthrown
Chorus
You know I’d make you happy (happy)
Give you everything you want (want)
If you’d only let me (just let go)
Please don’t deny my love (love)
Lay in my arms, and
Just say anything you…
Verse 2
Want a love that last forever
But were blinded by desire
Letting all that shimmers and shines
Take you to the isles of nowhere
Would you rather be heard, and uplifted
Or silenced, and downcast
When the sun rises
And the dust settles
And all that is left
In the rubble of yesterday
Are the remains
Of you thought, you once were
Bridge
Let me be the one
Take you by the hand
Guide you home
I don’t care to be a shining knight
I just dare to be a
Breathe of life
Be a kiss of hope, in the
Face of regret
As you stand upon the precipice
Of everything you once held and had
Chorus 2x
You know I’d make you happy (happy)
Give you everything you want (want)
If you’d only let me (just let go)
Please don’t deny my love (don’t deny my love)
Lay in my arms, and
Just say anything you want