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I Should Have Died

by Jonathan Byrd

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about

'I Should Have Died' is the first song for Jonathan Byrd’s new ‘reality album’ project, Song Miners, and the first in a series of videos that document this award-winning songwriter’s entire process of writing a song from the initial idea to the final recording. You can watch the fun and revealing video at youtu.be/rT9nofLX-3s

“Fans of my songwriting often ask me very specific questions about the process of writing a particular song, but it's difficult to remember years later what I did and how. So, I decided to start filming myself as I write.”

The result is a sort of 'Naked & Afraid' songwriting edition. Endlessly entertaining, Byrd tells us his initial idea in a bathrobe at the moment of inspiration, struggles with lyrics for weeks, celebrates breakthroughs, and finally records a fully produced track at home, playing every instrument but the drums (Austin McCall).

In keeping with the extreme vulnerability of the project, 'I Should Have Died' is a raw and honest song of thanks. Byrd summarizes it by saying, “I somehow survived all the bad decisions I made in my life, and honestly the odds were against me.”

“It was dark all around me, and somehow the light found me.”

****************

‘Song Miners’ is more than a musical project. Jonathan Byrd is also a teacher, and all this vulnerability is his way of inspiring and encouraging other writers. “My Patreon community, who were able to watch the whole process unfold nearly in real time, watched me struggle for weeks to get to a place of inspiration, a place where they previously thought I started. I think new writers get frustrated when the ideas don’t come together right away. I want people to see how hard it is for someone who has been a professional songwriter for twenty years. It’s about showing up to the notebook every day and doing a little bit. It’s about faith. Maybe that’s why the first song (‘I Should Have Died’) is about faith. ‘It was dark all around me, and somehow the light found me.’ You just have to stick it out.” Byrd laughs, “Maybe shout for help.”

Songwriters and the song-curious can follow Byrd in his weekly progress, get inspired, and shout for help in his growing Patreon community. patreon.com/jonathanbyrdmusic

lyrics

I Should Have Died

I should have died so many times.
I made angels cry. I don’t know why
I survived. I should have died.

First thing I remember, it was the middle of summer.
I was a baby. Somebody saved me.
I still feel haunted. I never felt wanted.
My whole hometown was a field where the plane went down.

I should have died so many times.
I made angels cry. I don’t know why
I survived. I should have died.

I shot out like a bullet. I took my luck to the limit.
Had nothing but bad friends, soon to be has-beens.
What you believe in must be no reason.
It was dark all around me and somehow the light found me.

br. It’s still too soon to say
today is not my day.
I might get lucky.

I should have died so many times.
I made angels cry. I don’t know why
I survived. I should have died.

credits

released November 5, 2021
All instruments played and recorded by Jonathan Byrd, with the exception of
Drums: Austin McCall
Produced and mixed by Jonathan Byrd in The Bonus Room
Mastered by Matt Ramer

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about

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Jonathan Byrd Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Preacher's kid, Gulf War veteran, award-winning songwriter, Youtuber, teacher, and creativity coach from North Carolina.

“One of the top 50 songwriters of the last 50 years. ” — Chicago Tribune

“...a folk singer with the heart of a rock 'n' roll band.” — K. Oliver, Free Times. ... more

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