It’s bad enough to have a summer cold but I’m chomping at the bit to record my latest cover song. I was working on a few rough spots/ transitions really. I had it pretty ironed out and I was about ready to record the song on SoundCloud when it, hit me! The fingers are willing and able but the voice not so much… I’m working on the most awesome Roger Hodgson song called “Hide In Your Shell”. If you have never heard this song then you are missing out! I was a teen when this song first became part of me. I don’t know why I never tried to play it then. I suppose I thought it too difficult to do. It’s very complex and vocally challenging for an alto like me.
In my late 20’s and early 30’s, this song helped me through some of my darkest years. I could identify with this song on such a personal level. Maybe because the lyric suggests that you aren’t alone in your darkest hours? Possibly the idea that someone else can really relate to your struggles and understand you? Or maybe it’s the notion that someone could desire to really know you that is comforting. I have shed many tears over the years while listening to this song!
I spent a decade of my life in divorce hell. I was a single Mom raising three beautiful girls, taking care of my mother who was ill. My ex -husband was always taking me to court to try to gain custody of the kids to get out of having to pay child support. It was grueling and damned expensive and it took a decade and thousands of dollars to resolve! Just a living hell!!! Anyway, this song helped me through. I suppose it rather gives you permission to let down and let go of pent up emotions and struggles. I appreciated it then, beyond words…
Now here I am in my 50’s and I find that this song allows me to feel hopeful inspite of painful loss of many family members throughout the years. So, it really is a hopeful and inspiring song! Having said all of this, I hope to do the song justice to the best of my ability. When I finish this project, I will have a sense of peace!
I thought about doing a montage of Roger Hodgson songs and posting them to my Facebook page. I would love to thank this man, (in my own way), for his brillant compositions/ contributions to music history. Who am I ? Just a fan with an appreciation for every nuiance and inflection in his music.
So I would say this to Roger Hodgson if I could, I want to know you!
tynajoymetzner 