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Paul Barrett

Bio Never

My name is Paul Barrett, and I hail from Hamden, For this song, I actually reversed my usual writing process.
Connecticut, USA. I am 40-ish, married to the love of my life, Normally, I come up with a poem or lyrics, then come up with
and we have a beautiful 9-year-old daughter. a suitable melody and take it from there. In this case I had
a really catchy chorus melody in my head, but no lyrics. For
I began playing the piano at age 9, after watching my two weeks I played around with some ideas, but nothing really
sisters come home from their piano lessons and was worked with the melody I had in mind, and being a stubborn
fascinated by the music they were playing. The first time I person – I was not about to change the melody!
heard “Fur Elise”, I was hooked. For years I played by ear,
pounding out the keyboard riffs from Van Halen, Genesis, Then one day, a friend of mine told me that she had met
Rush, etc. I really had no formal training until I went to someone, and had started dating them exclusively. She asked
college and studied music composition at Jacksonville for some advice, as she really liked this guy and didn’t want
University in Florida. I eventually learned the drums, guitar to make a mistake by moving too fast. I remember telling
and bass, as well. I have been in several local bands over the her that the beginning of any relationship is always a fragile
years, playing any instrument that was needed. Although I’ve time…hopefully those words stuck with her, because they
always loved being in a band situation, and the stuck with me – and eventually became the opening line to
collaboration involved, I thought it was time to step into my “Never”.
home studio alone and close the door behind me – just to see
what I could come up with on my own. The songs on my Once I had the first line down, the rest of the song flowed
soon-to-be-released album, “Threshold Consciousness” are easily, and it’s just like a relationship: If the foundation is
the result of those sessions. That being said, it took just over strong, the rest just kind of snaps into place!
a year to record all the instruments and vocal tracks while
working a full-time job, as well as being a husband and father Website link....
- and another month to mix and master them. I certainly
hope you enjoy them, and thank you so much for listening. Facebook link...

In This Time

Of all the songs written for my upcoming release, this one
came the easiest. I was walking out of a grocery store just
after the Thanksgiving Holiday, and happened to see an old
couple standing, waiting for the bus. They each had bags in
their hands and they were leaning on each other for support.
Both were so frail that if one faltered, the other would follow.
I remember thinking to myself: THAT is true love.

They had most likely been married for 50 years or more. How
could one possibly live without the other?I began thinking
about my wife, and our relationship together, and how she has
always been my rock. This couple could be us someday…
By the time I got home, I had a basic outline of this song in
my head, lyric-wise. Originally, it was going to be a slow
ballad, but the more passionate I got about the story the more
powerful the melody had to become.

It’s a sad song, despite the bright melody. The first verse sees
an old woman on her deathbed. Her husband sits at her side,
still seeing nothing but beauty in her wrinkled face.
The bridge section sees the husband remembering the days
when they were young, stealing their first kiss under the stars.
Finally, the last verse sees the old woman passing on from
this world, leaving the old man to wonder how he can go on
without her.
Cherish the one you love!

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