Story behind the song
I wrote Blue Skies after it had rained everyday for nearly 5 weeks. It rained so long I was beginning to forget what the sun looked like. I was craving blue skies and wanted to enjoy being outside again. I got to thinking how often life feels the very same way.
I think this song embodies the heart of my record Leave the Light On as whole. This record is written from a place of hope, aware of the rain and but looking forward to the blue skies that soon will be all around.
I wrote this fun little song on sticky notes while I was waiting by the curb to pick Ted up outside his office building in Washington, DC. He was running late and by the time he got to the car I had stuck yellow and pink sticky notes all over the steering wheel and dashboard with these words on them while humming the melody!
Blue skies + Creed + Southwest Air
What do the band Creed and Southwest Airlines and my song Blue Skies have in common? A few years ago I was flying to Vegas to do a few shows out there. I was sitting in the back of the plane by the bathrooms and a flight attendant and I struck up a conversation. She wanted to hear my music and pulled up this song. She loved it so much she played it over the speaker for the entire flight to hear as we were de-planing.
Well, it turns out that one of the band members of Creed was on the flight too and had heard the whole conversation I’d had with the flight attendant. He later came and found me, told me who he was and that he really loved this tune! He said if I ever needed anything he’d be happy to help. Well me, uh I TOTALLY dropped the ball! I had no idea who Creed was or who this guy was and I was like, ‘cool thanks’ and moved on without exchanging any contact info or engaging the conversation!
I called my husband Ted later and told him about the story and he then informed me WHAT A BIG DEAL this was (and Creed is!) and kindly informed me that I’d totally let this slip through my fingers! I felt terrible! Turns out Creed is kinda (a whole lot) of a big deal.
So... mystery Creed band member - if you’re out there and ever come across this post, I’m sorry if in my ignorance I disrespected you. Thank you for your encouragement and graciousness to me. I wish I had handled our conversation better. But your words and affirmation of my art are still cheering me on today. Thank you.
And Southwest air, you make the skies bluer for all of us who fly with you! My producer Ben Gowell says this song should be your theme song…and well, I totally agree! What do you think?