Stay Strong (I'll Be Your Guide) Official Music Video
I started writing the lyrics for this song around May / June 2018 as part of the MFR Recordings where I was laying down demos for these releases. I was back in touch with one of my best friends who I guess I was reaching out to without knowing it. I was going through a bit of a rough patch and needed a bit of grounding. My best way of grounding myself is by going into the recording studio and working on recordings. I guess the message behind this one is that no matter how low our mood is we still have love, comfort and support in life, just accept the good, accept the love, and leave negativity behind.
So in May 2018 I left home and went back to Ireland for a period. I wrote an entire album in a few weeks, my mind was pushing songs out. I went into the studio to demo the songs - I am forgetful so if I don't lay down my ideas they get lost in my foggy brain. This was the 3rd or 4th day in the studio when I laid the first version of the tune:
I was happy with this version but I wanted to add to it.
Fast forward to Lockdown #53 and I had my own studio in the alps, and around November 2021 I sent out an email to Ben Gordelier (drummer for The Moons/Paul Weller) and asked if he would add drums etc to the song. Ben and I struck up a good chat about the song and withing 24 hours of me sending him my 2nd rough version I had all the drum / percussion / bass and acoustic parts from Ben's home studio emailed across to me.
I like songs to build themselves and I've grown to love the studio process of recording songs, and I have to say that Ben's subtle drumming and the easy way in which we communicated regarding the song really blew my away. I spoke to producer Adam Bradbury about mixing and mastering the song, and after a few versions and variations back and forth we came up with the single at the top. We ended up adding a 8 part harmony in the chorus and adding in some hammond organ for the song. Adam added some very subtle guitar parts and his own Adam Bradbury (Stay Strong Choir).
Great work Ben & Adam - I love it!
I love this final version. Find the links below (I'll add more links to other streaming services as they go live))
Stay Strong (I'll Be Your Guide) on Spotify
Stay Strong (I'll Be Your Guide) iTunes
Stay Strong (I'll Be Your Guide) YouTube Music
JC xxx
