Songwriter Sunday
Monday is the new Sunday, right?!
Not “Are You Afraid of the Dark Part 3”?!
Don’t worry. There will be more installments. I need some more time to feel ready to share more chapters of my life (that part at least). I appreciate your patience, friends.
But I think I’m almost ready.
The truth
I was thinking much of the day about what I wanted to say in this installment. For whatever reason, a song I had partially written came into my head, and I thought to myself…I’m going to finish that song and share it with all of you.
For a bit of context:
I began digging into songwriting in 2020. Up until March of 2020, I had been playing an average of 5 shows a week - predominantly in the blues scene (sometimes country or rock). I was solely a fiddle player.
When the pandemic hit, I desperately needed a creative outlet. Playing (more importantly, improvising) was and has continued to be one of my deepest outlets of expression. So when everything shut down, I needed to figure out a new game plan (I’m sure you can all relate).
Turning to songwriting was the scariest, and yet (to me) the most logical transition. I needed it not only to crack open and truly discover my inner workings, but also as a creative musical outlet.
And singing…using my voice after avoiding it for so many years was exactly what I needed. I don’t believe I would have found my way back to it without songwriting.
From the beginning, it has felt natural to write about love and nature. But after my life saving surgery in May of 2024, I noticed a shift in me. It wasn’t that I found completely new topics that I wanted to dive into with my writing…
I was ready to stop playing it safe.
Nothing I’ve written is hurtful or spiteful. It’s simply honest. And it feels so good to now be writing my truths into songs and poetry.
It is deeply challenging to write songs that are honest but not too transparent. But what I’ve come to realize is that I do want to be transparent. I want to let you all in. Because, in the end, I know that I’ll feel that much more connected with all of you…and with myself.
Broken Record Child
I started writing “Broken Record Child” last July. I’ve written many songs since then that dive deeper. Now it’s time to start sharing more of them.
We’ve all been the island
We’ve all been the ships
It’s all just a constant dance to float on through it
What others expect
Or perhaps it’s really me
That always needs to be the best - and stand taller than a tree
This lion’s not going back in her cage
It’s time to show everyone here what’s at stake
‘Cause I know if I don’t show my blues with my smiles
You’ll be buying those CDs from a broken record child
Sometimes I laugh to smile
Or laugh to hide the tears
It’s scarier to let you in on what it is I fear
Like what others expect
Or perhaps it’s really me
That always needs to keep running when nothing’s chasing me
This lion’s not going back in her cage
It’s time to show everyone here what’s at stake
‘Cause I know if I don’t show my blues with my smiles
You’ll be buying those CDs from a broken record child
This lion’s not going back in her cage
It’s time to show everyone here what’s at stake
‘Cause I know if I don’t show my blues with my smiles
You’ll be buying those CDs from a broken record child
I swear I’ll never be that broken record child
Sharing time
I’d like to share an unreleased song I wrote with you all, titled, “Broken Record Child.” I’ll be sharing some deeply vulnerable songs with you all soon.
I can’t wait to share the back story to more of my songs with all of you, as well as my journey in music and life. Until next time.
See you in a week
If you’re reading this, thank you. I’m honored. And I can’t wait to continue on this journey via Substack with all of you! We’ll see what next Sunday brings.
To learn more about myself, follow my show schedule and hear my music: Kathryn Severing Fox's website
Photo by Chad Elliott
Lions were never meant to be caged! Her release is freeing for many.
Keep roaring, you lion❤️🎶