I always find it so fun to learn where song ideas came from, and to read old drafts of familiar songs! Here on the left are the lyrics to a song I wrote in 2013 called "Go for the Gold." This song never had a tune, and I never paid much attention to it after writing it. But in 2020 when I was trying to develop lyrics for my new upbeat pop song, I decided to look back through the file of songs I'd written and see if anything would fit. I ended up drawing from "Go for the Gold" to write "Gold"! I find it fun to compare the two songs side-by-side. They're not much alike, but you can definitely see where some of the lines in "Gold" came from!
"Go For The Gold" (2013)You’ve been hiding in silence again
You could speak up and try to help but you’re afraid What if they don’t like what you say? The questions are swirling around in your head “What if I’m wrong? I’m trying to help but what if I’m hurting instead?” Well, take all your fear and toss it out the window You might be wrong but you’re never gonna know ‘til you try Take all your tears and use them for a better tomorrow You’ll never get beyond the clouds if you’re scared of the sky You might be chasing rainbows Your reasons may not hold But you’re never gonna know unless you go for the gold Look through any history text How many people are commended for being meek? Is a life of isolation what you seek? Prospects are swirling around in your head “I’m gonna mess up I’m trying to help but what if I’m hurting instead?” But just take all your fear and toss it out the window You might be wrong but you’re never gonna know ‘til you try Take all your tears and use them for a better tomorrow You’ll never get beyond the clouds if you’re scared of the sky You might be chasing rainbows Your reasons may not hold But you’re never gonna know unless you go for the gold Go for the gold Go for the gold You’re so convinced you’ll make a mistake Have you ever thought maybe you won’t? Underestimating yourself won’t get you anywhere You’ll never get the gold if you’re trying for the dirt Never get the gold if you’re trying for the dirt So take all your fear and toss it out the window You might be wrong but you’re never gonna know ‘til you try Take all your tears and use them for a better tomorrow You’ll never get beyond the clouds if you’re scared of the sky You might be chasing rainbows Your reasons may not hold But you’re never gonna know unless you go for the gold Go for the gold Go for the gold You’ll never get beyond the clouds if you’re scared of the sky © Kelsey Gallant September 10, 2013 |
"Gold" (2020)You hide in silence
Wanna speak but so afraid What if they don’t like anything you say Hey-ey-ey So scared of their criticism Scared of messing up so you don’t try But you can’t get past the clouds if you’re scared of the sky So, throw out all your fears and your regrets Show the world that you’re not finished yet You're not finished yet Oh, you’re outstanding You oughta know See you go go go go go Oh oh, you are more Yeah you’re a champion Go show the world You’re gold, gold, gold, gold, gold Oh oh, oh oh You keep your distance Put a mask upon your face You think the real you’s just too hard to take Hey-ey-ey So scared you won’t be accepted You've made yourself invisible But if they don't see you then you’ll never know So, don’t be daunted by your faults and scars Get out there and show them who you are Show them who you are Oh, you’re outstanding You oughta know See you go go go go go Oh oh, you are more Yeah you’re a champion Go show the world You’re gold, gold, gold, gold, gold Oh oh, oh oh I’m gold and I’m bold and I never say can’t I strive toward my goals, I don’t leave ‘em to chance Don’t need perfection, I’ll face rejection But I’ll never accept it when they tell me I can’t I don’t care what the skeptics say Everybody willy-nilly, okay Used to say you couldn’t put a man in space I let courage be my guide, there’s a will, there’s a way Oh, you’re outstanding You oughta know See you go go go go go Oh oh, you are more Yeah you’re a champion Go show the world You’re gold, gold, gold, gold, gold Oh oh, oh oh Oh, you’re outstanding You oughta know See you go go go go go Oh oh, you are more Yeah you’re a champion Go show the world You’re gold, gold, gold, gold, gold Oh oh, oh oh © Kelsey Gallant (contributor: Cam Gallant) April 2020 |
