A few years ago, I had almost stopped making music altogether. I was burnt out and in debt from running a record label and playing shows. One day I locked the door to my office-slash-record-shop and started a new job the next morning.
But over time, it was harder and harder to not make music. I felt the desire to do what I was passionate about. So I looked for ways to make music without burning myself out again.
One thing I decided to do was to write and record songs for people who were close to me. My favorite one of these songs was written for my sister’s 50th birthday. It’s called “(Now is) Golden”. I wrote it originally on a nylon-stringed guitar, and used a slightly alternate tuning.
And here are the lyrics:
(Now is) Golden
When you’re gone, well you really are gone
It’s the way it goes, the way it goes
When you’re here, well you really are here
It’s the way it shows, the way it shows
Right now…
Nothing better than now
As you say, it will be as you say
It’s the way it is, the way it is
As you walk keep your eyes on the clock
It’s a way to live the way to live
Right now…
Nothing better than now
For now is golden
The gold you’re holdin
Now is precious
And you can’t touch this
Now is special
A raw essential
Now is you
Now is you
As you go with the things that you know
Just be sure to breathe and to believe
And its hard and you get a reward
You who gives you who receives
Right now…
Nothing better than now
For now is golden
The gold you’re holdin
Now is wisdom
To rule a kingdom
Now is potent
Face your opponent
Now is real
Now is true
Now is hard
Now is you
Now is pain
Now is fire
Now is golden
A blaze emboldened
Now is you