I've just finished recording my new demo, here's what i have to say about it all! 2008-10-09

GET HERE

Made famous by Oleta Adams, this song was originally written by New Yorker Brenda Russell, who was working on an album in Stockholm, Sweden when inspiration struck,

“It was a beautiful day, and I was looking outside. I was staying in a penthouse in Stockholm, so I was looking out over the city, and it was just... Stockholm's a beautiful city. And then there were hot air balloons flying that day. And I was really tripping on how many ways you can get to a person.” Russel

Which pretty much sums the whole song up! With the line ‘I don’t care how you get here, just get here if you can’ as the hook, it really puts across the need a person can have to be with that someone special. And I think this is the reason the song is so special to me because living away from my family and my friends, it can sometimes feel like that. You need the people you love to be close to you, and sure its easier today with the internet and mobiles etc, but you can never beat that face to face feeling!

But if your rolling your eyes right now, I wouldn’t be blaming you! And neither would the writer!

“Like John Mayer thought the Fathers and Daughters song was really corny. When I heard that I laughed, because that's exactly what I thought about 'Get Here.' You know, it's so corny, and meanwhile this guy's sitting here like, 'This song is great. What do you mean corny?’” Russel

And perhaps that’s what makes a great balled, the perfect mix of emotion and cheese!

GENIE IN A BOTTLE

This song caused quite the controversy when it was released by the then 17-year-old Christina Aguilera. People thought that the lyrical metaphor of a genie in a bottle needing to be rubbed up the right way was just a little to obvious…but I’m 26, so I guess it’s all good!

However when asked about the sexual content of the song Aguilera replied,

“It is a bit suggestive, but in a positive way. It's all about a girl who's a little sassy and likes to play hard to get, but equally wants sincerity in a relationship.” Aguilera on 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner & Spencer Leigh,

Ahh right, well then, that clears that one up..!

All that said I’ve always loved this song and I really think Christina is a great great artist. I saw her live back in 2004 and she just blew me away.

And I really like it as an acoustic song too. In fact what I did here was I used the guitar chords from the Incubus song ‘Drive’ as a backing, and then put the melody of ‘Genie’ over the top. And if you don’t believe me, try it for yourself! (Get 'Drive' chords here)

I think it works, I hope you do too!