I had the idea for the song “Perennial” two years ago. The idea of being like a perennial ~ continually re-inventing myself and my life ~ was very powerful to me, and I wanted this song to be amazing. In fact, the idea of the song was so precious to me that I didn’t try actually writing it for two years ~ I didn’t want to write a crappy song, so I didn’t even attempt it!! (that’s the downside of my perfectionism right there 😉)

Fortunately, I decided it was finally time to write this song, so I started tackling it one night in September. I got as far as I could ~ a very pretty chord progression using an open tuning on my acoustic guitar (I made it up for the song, and am not sure if other people use this tuning). I also came up with some lyrics I liked (and others I knew would be temporary).

I thought that I *could* finish it on my own, but it’d be way easier and more fun if I enlisted my favorite writing partner, Patricia Bahia, to co-write it. So, I went over to Patricia’s house, and we finished the song in two sessions. Turns out, not only was it more fun to write it with her, but I ended up with a way better song ~ as I always do when I write with Patricia. 

We came up with a chorus that has two intertwining melodies (a duet, at least in the video). That’s something that happened organically, as we were writing it and singing together. It wouldn’t have happened if either one of us had been writing separately, and I really love that aspect of the song!

This video was taken right after our second writing session, and it’s not the *best* audio quality, but I’m *definitely* going to be recording this for my next album (in fact, this may end up being the title track💥), so once the “official” recording is made, you can compare where we started (what you’re hearing now) with the final version. 

I hope you enjoy this look into the evolution of a song that is very special to me, and I hope the song is inspiring for you.

Perennial

8-track girl in a digital world

Tryin’ to play the changes

Will I find my way?

Has it gotten too late to take my place in the sun?

 But there’s no rush… 

Perennial ~ the stronger the storm, the deeper the roots

Perennial ~ season after season we still bloom

Perennial ~ year after year, crystal clear 

Perennial ~ season after season we still bloom

We’re not done, we don’t have to be young

to build a brighter future

we’re the ones who will never give up

when darkness tries to drown us

we’re still here

Perennial ~ the stronger the storm, the deeper the roots

Perennial ~ season after season we still bloom

Perennial ~ year after year, crystal clear 

Perennial ~ season after season we still bloom

Written by Ali Handal & Patricia Bahia, ⓒ2020