"Water" marks the beginning of an exclusive 11-part daily series, a precursor to the worldwide release of "I Ride Alone." Each day, beginning Mon, March 4th, a new chapter of this musical journey unfolds, offering subscribers a front-row seat to the inspiration and stories behind each song. As we count down to the album's global launch, this series is your passport to the depths of creativity and passion that have fueled this project.
From the raw, unfiltered origins of "Water" to the final notes of the album, subscribers will experience a daily dose of inspiration, leading up to the moment "I Ride Alone" is shared with the world.
Ten years ago, I embarked on a deeply personal journey that culminated in the release of "I Ride Alone," a compilation album that remains a beacon of pride, joy, and endless inspiration for me. It wasn't my debut into the world of music, but it marked my first foray into a completely solo project.
This album is a raw, intimate exploration of my artistry, armed with nothing but a guitar, pen, paper, and my voice, all captured on the modest means of an iPhone or iPad. The simplicity of these tools demanded creativity beyond boundaries, pushing me to distill my essence and inspiration into every track.
Reflecting on "I Ride Alone," I see it as a mosaic of love letters, each track drawing from a spectrum of personal experiences—be they familial, platonic, or unreciprocated loves—gathered over those transformative three years. Each song is a testament to the belief that every moment, no matter how fleeting, is fodder for creativity.
The album opens with "Water," a track that sets the thematic tone for what follows: an exploration of beauty's mesmerizing pull and the innocence of first love. I invite you to dive into this opening chapter before its official launch on streaming platforms on March 15th, 2024, and experience the genesis of a journey meant to resonate with the soul.
Water - Elliot Andrew - I Ride Alone
OG 2014 Version
Lyrics
Verse 1
If you could see what I see in you baby
I guarantee you’d fall in love too
If you could feel what I feel
When you walk inside a room
I promise that you’d lose some sleep too
Prechorus
‘Cuz I’ve been tryin’a figure out
The words to say
But they just won’t roll off my tongue
So I hope if I can paint a picture for you, babe
Of how I feel that you’ll understand
Chorus P1
Let the waves take you under
Let the rivers fill your soul
See the lightening, feel the thunder
The pain and pleasure
As you learn to let go
Chorus P2
And you’ll feel a burning fire
Passion as bright as a star
I’m not sure what you’re waitin’ for
Jump in the deep end of the water, babe
Verse 2
The way your hair adorns your face
The warmth I feel in your embrace
The way you take my breath with your smile
And have my heart dancing in the clouds
Prechorus
‘Cuz I’ve been tryin’a figure out
The words to say
But they just won’t roll off my tongue
So I hope if I can paint a picture for you, babe
Of how I feel that you’ll understand
Chorus P1-P2
Let the waves take you under
Let the rivers fill your soul
See the lightening, feel the thunder
The pain and pleasure
As you learn to let go
And you’ll feel a burning fire
Passion as bright as a star
I’m not sure what you’re waitin’ for
Jump in the deep end of the water, babe
Bridge
And if the picture ain’t so clear
Allow me to define for your mind (your mind)
The feelings I’ve got deep within
I don’t want to make a move, without you
Without you by my side
And if that just ain’t enough
The Water represent my love (jump in)
Oh, ‘cuz if you saw what I see in you
You’d realize the only thing you can do… let
Chorus P1-P2
Let the waves take you under
Let the rivers fill your soul
See the lightening, feel the thunder
The pain and pleasure
As you learn to let go
And you’ll feel a burning fire
Passion as bright as a star
I’m not sure what you’re waitin’ for
Jump in the deep end of the water, babe
Music and Lyrics by Elliot Andrew
Bonus - Water 2024 Version
"Water 2024" inaugurates a fresh wave of music that I've been crafting in secrecy, embodying a more refined—though deliberately not flawless—interpretation of how I've envisioned this piece, particularly in a live performance setting. This rendition also highlights a recording technique close to my heart: the dynamic and soul-stirring inclusion of a choir, which plays a pivotal role in the sonic architecture of the track.
Growing up in a Christian household, music and choir were staples of my upbringing, from the tender age of four and a half right through to my early twenties. My journey through various choirs—children's, youth, and adult—culminated in leading the children’s choir as its youngest director, a milestone in both my life and the church's history.
Far from being a mere facet of my past, the essence of choral music is woven into the very fabric of my being and, by extension, my sound. Whether through the grandeur of a vocal choir or the complexity of an orchestral arrangement, my music plays with the dichotomy of scale, exploring how expansive a sound can be and how intimately it can be pared down without losing its inherent power.
While "I Ride Alone" teases this choral influence, my upcoming projects for 2024 and beyond promise to reintegrate this foundational element into my sound with renewed vigor, offering new layers of auditory experience to explore.
Thank you for lending your ears and your time. If you have a moment more, take the poll below. I'm eager to hear which rendition resonates more with you. And stay tuned; tomorrow, we delve into the album's second track, "Say Anything."