VIDEO CONTENT:
Here’s a short video demo of when I originally wrote the guitar parts for “Tidal Wave”. The parts eventually changed slightly as you can hear in the final version. :)
LYRICS
Tell me little one
Do you remember past the sun?
Where everything is love and holy light
‘Cause I can't help but see the door
And feel like you know more
Every time you look into these tired eyes
Don't look away
‘Cause you can be the tidal wave
Or you can be the gentle rain
You can be the summer sending heat to rule the day
Just never look away to find
What doesn't spark the same
Only run along to what's found in the heart
'Cause there will be a billion reasons
To take away your one soul meaning
And only you can say
What clearly lights your chosen way
But don’t look away
‘Cause you can be the tidal wave
Or you can be the gentle rain
You can be the summer sending heat to rule the day
You can be December lights
Or you can be July
Whatever you believe
Whatever you conceive is yours to be
Just never look away
SONG LORE
Writing Process
Like all the songs I’ve written for my kids (three total), this one of course has a special place in my heart. With my son I already knew how the song was going to go for him before he was born. With my daughters it was a different story. I felt like I needed to get to know each of them before getting the inspiration of what to write.
Actually, before “Tidal Wave” was conceived, I had another chorus line idea floating around in my head that went like this:
“Oh, Denae… my Lydian Denae, how I pray that we’ll find our way home…”
I couldn’t quite figure out where to take the song after this line though so I never finished that song, but maybe someday I will? Stay tuned! :)
Song Meaning
I always hesitate to share a song’s meaning because it’s usually specific to me, but I truly feel these songs are meant for each listener to interpret and find their own meaning. I’d hate for my meaning to get in the way from a listener finding their own. Also, over time I usually find different meanings come out of my songs for me so it’s always changing.
That said, besides what I’ve already said about my daughter in the above video.. for me "Tidal Wave" is a song that is all about allowing the light to transform oneself into whatever can be dreamed up.
Essentially this song also represents light being the creative force to forge one's desired path. My favorite line in it says: "but only you can say what clearly lights your chosen way."
I whole heartedly believe this. It's not up to anyone else but ME how to light my chosen path. For me there is real creative power in this self-realization.