I spotlight the legacy of Otis Redding for #BlackHistoryMonth with this acoustic version of his hit (Sittin’ on the) Dock of the Bay. Watch until the end for a cool musical surprise!
The laid-back vibe of the song thinly veils a deep longing for connection and belonging (as in the line “This loneliness won’t leave me alone”).
I will perform #DockOfTheBay tonight, 23-Feb on Sessions Live at 10PM Eastern-US.
This is the first song in American music history to go to #1 in the charts following the death of an artist. Otis Redding had co-written this with legendary Memphis guitarist Steve Cropper. He recorded two versions of it just days before his ill-fated final plane flight. The song was released shortly after his untimely death and shot to #1.
Other hits from Otis Redding include Try a Little Tenderness, Hard to Handle (If you’re a rock fan you may be more familiar with The Black Crowes’ version) and Mr. Pitiful.
I give live acoustic performances like this live, online about 3 times a week. Sign up below to receive emails of my new video releases and performance schedules and never miss a show!
I chose to add this song, “The Heart of the Matter” by Don Henley to my repertoire because I felt it carries an important message and a great big melody. Here it is, from my heart to yours.
This song is originally from Don Henley’s 1989 solo album “The End of the Innocence,” 5 years before he reunited with The Eagles. Back in 1980, Henley declared the Eagles would reunite “when Hell freezes over.” Then, in 1994, the legendary band got back together and launched the wildly successful “Hell Freezes Over” tour!
If “Heart of the Matter” moves you, please subscribe to my YouTube channel. You’ll need a gmail/YouTube account to subscribe. Then, kindly share the video where folks can enjoy it!
See my official videos for my original songs on this site’s Video page.
I put everything I love about the Jersey Shore sound into this one. It world premiered at Big Man’s Bash – a celebration of the life and music of Clarence Clemons, beloved member of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
Lyrics: Verse 1:
Windshield wipers are frozen and it's hard to see
If there's dangerous obstacles in front of me
It's a slippery turnpike and the left lane's out
These times can test your grip on what your life's about
In my engine the gremlins knock my self esteem
As they try to drive down the value of my dreams
As I struggle for traction up this icy hill
They make me think dark thoughts but they can't break my will
Chorus:
Let's move on forward, here's to making our way
To the dreams we work for coming into reach
Salt and sand on this icy highway
Will be salt and sand on a summer beach
Salt and sand on this icy highway
Will be salt and sand on a summer beach
Verse 2:
I can feel your frustration as you spin your wheels
I'm identifying big-time with the way you feel
You set your plan and watch it get pushed back
It takes a steady hand to get you back on track
Yeah the heat of anger may move us along
But it ain't no substitute for staying strong
Today we won't be quickly satisfied
But we've got dreams of a lifetime that won't be denied
Chorus Bridge:
We can fade
Or we can shine
The way we choose to walk the line
Chorus
Credits:
Lyrics and Music by Jason Didner (c) 2004, All Rights Reserved Vocals and all instruments: electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, bass, drums, alto sax and glockenspiel by Jason Didner Produced by Jason and Amy Didner
I’m pleased to present you with my latest musical creation: “Battle.” This is the home studio video – actual footage of my recording this track, along with Fred E. Jam, keeper of F-Jam Online Collaboration Studios, who played the electronic drum kit.
The song shares my revelation about how mental health or living with a chronic physical condition doesn’t have to be a battle. It can be a humanitarian mission.
At the same time the video is released, so is the single on BandCamp. You can play the track below.
(c) 2020, Lyrics and Music by Jason Didner Produced by Jason Didner, Amy Didner and Fred E. Jam Engineered by Jason Didner Jason Didner – vocals, keyboards, guitar, bass Fred E. Jam – drums, sound design
Lyrics:
Verse 1:
I thought this was a battle
The kind that’s won or lost
Where raging at the rival
Brings a victory worth all costs
But the prize is alienation
Now that seems a hollow win
Standing lonely in the ruins
Of the war I fought within
Verse 2:
I thought this was a battle
With troops on high alert
Couldn’t trace the friendly fire
From the part of me that hurt
Oh, the rage destroys your allies
In the same flames as your foes
Your own weapon takes you over
No matter how it goes
Verse 3:
I thought this was a battle
I could win and earn my peace
Then I saw myself in terror
As hostilities increased
And the anger gave an order
Show no mercy in this fight
I asked myself the question
Could this order not be right
Bridge:
It can take all that you got
To disobey an order that’s all wrong
To take the heat for seeming weak
That’s a different kind of strong
When the rage calls loved ones enemies
And declares we’re at code red
And orders me to take them down
I’ll lift them up instead
Verse 4:
I thought this was a battle
Now I’m learning it’s much more
It’s a mission to compassion
For the pain down in my core
It’s a journey toward forgiveness
When the rage has had its say
And the wisdom we discover
We can’t fight these things away
But we can live to love another day
I had shared this song with my email subscribers when just the vocal and piano were recorded. If you’d like to get exclusives like this before everyone else, go ahead and sign up below:
See me recording all the parts for my new song “Because I’m Grateful!” I let the cameras roll while recording the tracks of this new song – here’s the result!
This is my first time ever playing the drums! I was inspired by Wolfgang Van Halen (Mammoth WVH) who chose to play all the tracks on his much-anticipated upcoming debut album. So I watched the Drumeo channel on YouTube and got some pointers to start keeping a beat and playing some fills. I’ve heard drumbeats in my head all my musical life, but hadn’t really tried to physicalize it until now. It’s my “pandemic skill!”
released December 19, 2020 Lyrics by Amy and Jason Didner, Music by Jason Didner Produced by Amy and Jason Didner Vocals, guitars, bass, drums, keyboards by Jason Didner Mastered with CloudBounce (c) 2020, All Rights Reserved
Verse 1:
I’m grateful that I woke up this morning
At least that’s what that TED talk said I’m supposed to say
Still I’m sorry for myself and my brain’s all full of warnings
I’ll try this attitude of gratitude on some other day
But then, what if that day could come around this morning
What could it hurt to thank a loved one or two?
It might bring a little good to take stock of my blessings
OK, let’s see what this gratitude thing can do
Pre-chorus:
I can feel my mood get a little bit lighter
As my outlook grows just a little brighter
Chorus:
I’m not afraid today to show what I’m made of
I’m grateful for my love, my child and my pets
I’m thankful for the support I have
And the strength I’ve found within
Because I’m grateful
Sadness isn’t all there is
Verse 2:
Depression can’t have the upper hand this morning
‘Cause I’ve got a new move that villain has never seen
When you see what it can do, you won’t call it corny or boring
See, I’m getting in touch with the grateful part of me
I’m gonna do it again tomorrow morning
‘Cause feeling better is feeling pretty sweet
I’m letting go of the rope - Depression, here’s your warning
I ain’t fighting today and that don’t feel like defeat
Pre-chorus:
I can feel my mood get a little bit lighter
As my outlook grows just a little brighter
Chorus:
I’m not afraid today to show what I’m made of
I’m grateful for my love, my child and my pets
I’m thankful for the support I have
And the strength I’ve got within
Because I’m grateful
Sadness isn’t all there is
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I’m proud to share with you this very important song about learning to view mental health as something other than a battle – it’s the hard-earned vision of mental health as a journey toward compassion.
I’m inviting you to be among the first to see and hear me creating this track in my home studio via unlisted YouTube link via email when you sign up to receive my email newsletter.
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