FAWM: "Everything's A Gift"

Everything's A Gift

2 weeks ago by @jonmeta

Everything's A Gift

jonmeta

00:00

Liner Notes

#60s #rock #jangly #guitar-pop #firstfruits

This came out fully formed on the 1st of February. I woke up early remembering a car crash when I should have been killed, and my neurosurgeon had no explanation for why I was alive. And the thought came to me so clearly and strongly: 'Everything's a gift'. So I got up and wrote the song. There's also a bit that's inspired by the way that people in LA who lost everything reached out to help others.

Kept putting off recording it because I was having too much fun writing other songs. But it's my FirstFruits.

Lyrics

I didn’t wake the morning
I didn’t make the sun
I opened up my eyes and there it was
because

Everything’s a gift
Everything’s a gift
The breath that sings
The air that lifts
a flight of starlings —
Everything’s a gift

I didn’t ask for suffering
I didn’t look for pain
I didn’t pray for rain storms
Until the fire came
I didn’t reach for a stranger’s hand
But a stranger reached for mine

Everything’s a gift
Everything’s a gift
The cut that stings
The wind that sifts
the lasting, true things —
Everything’s a gift.

I should have been dead at twenty-five
It’s only by grace I’m still alive

Everything’s a gift
Everything’s a gift
Untie the strings
today as if
it’s Christmas morning —
Everything’s a gift.

Comments

@sherrycanary 1w

Yes it is!
I can totally relate as I've had more lifetimes than a cat.
But what a special way to say it, and to tie in people's humanity during the LA fires.
It's poignant, yet uplifting.
Cool pop feel in the musication too!

@hbusse 2w

This is a really special song! Those classic rock vibes that I always enjoy from you. The fun chorus groove with the claps. Your lyrics that make the listener listen just a little closer and dig just a little deeper… I’m still trying to get my head around the suffering/pain verse, and “I didn’t pray for rain storms until the fire came.” The depth of the lyrics provides such an engaging contrast with the easy-breeziness of the music.

@kadmad202 2w

Upbeat rhythm and such positive and true lyrics. The older I get, the more it strikes me that everything really is a gift, and if we can see it that way, it gives all joy and heartache/hardship meaning in our lives. Thanks for the reminder in such a catchy way! I'm going to be coming back to this often, I think☺️

@katestantonsings 2w

What a message! Loving that guitar hook. This is pop with a purpose and I love it!!

@tiller2 2w

A pop song with real depth. The hooky refrain will put some good in a listener’s day. I like the way you make your case in the verses. Love this song.

@melissacapezio 2w

Oh I love this one so much. What a magical song. It's so true everything is a gift, even the hard things. What a beautiful perspective- that you have some deep personal insight into, thanks for sharing that with us! I am so impressed at the production of this song too! WOW! It's such a bop while simultaneously being super meaningful! Well done!

@coolparadisoMod 2w

very uplifting, always something to ge grateful for! really nice song. catchy riff.

@gwynjones 2w

I feel much better and uplifted after listening to this song...I hope it goes far and wide to spread the joy!

@philnorman 2w

I was waiting for a call and response backing vocal after "everything's a gift, but then guitar line is there and it's just right, like, say, a gift.

The tone of the lyric is just right for the jangle pop production. Excellent work. I'm glad you're alive, too.

@vince_link 2w

I love your message! You are right!
Thank you for the gift of this fine song.
Well written, performed and recorded!
I really like it!

@klyma 2w

Before giving this a listen, I read through the lyrics and really liked it a lot. This part especially: I didn’t pray for rain storms | Until the fire came | I didn’t reach for a stranger’s hand | But a stranger reached for mine.

Groovy melody. Love the jangle.
A little warmth on a cold Febrrruary day. Good write!

@billwhite51 2w

a truly inspirational song, and you sing it with such joy. the arrangement is light and breezy, catchy and memorable. if we kept these lyrics in mind, we would suffer a lot less.