This is my first multimedia production. It was inspired by a photograph which came out around last Summer/Fall. It will be obvious which one when you watch the video. I found it so inspiring it brought tears to my eyes. In all the complexity of race relations, and those who choose to use it as a wedge issue, I found the photo to be unique and powerful in that it broke through all the garbage and stripped things down to our basic humanity. The title came to me immediately, and within a week or so, the music just broke through. I cannot remember the real tracks but they are the same ones I used in Catch Me When I Fall around just over a year ago. The "favor" I refer to in the subject is to copy the link and send it on to friends/acquaintances if you like it. Most songs, for me at least, are personal, and for the enjoyment of those who relate to them. This one, is more socially relevant, or at least intended to be. I would like it to be "out there" as much as possible. There are about 3-4 seconds which are a bit political (sorry to anyone offended) but most of it is just a positive message and a tribute to someone I believe was truly one of the most special of human beings to ever walk the planet. Comments always encouraged. Take care. Greg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeERG1LPEZs


Love Knows No Color


It’s the content of the character
Not the color of the skin
It’s not the features of the packaging
But the soul that lies within
We all feel passion, and we all feel pain
We have the same blood running through our veins

Love knows no color
Love knows no color
Love knows no color….
No color but red

Yet, still somehow the conversation stalls
On which lives matter more
Hate and bitterness consume the streets
People dying by the score
Some use the politics of color to divide
Why don’t we just focus on the things we share inside

Love knows no color
Love knows no color
Love knows no color….
No color but red

With the Sneetches on the beaches
Who walked like brothers on the sand
Dr. Seuss taught us a lesson even children understand
Don’t place yourself above another
Just to feed your foolish pride
Some folks wear their stars inside

It’s the content of the character
It’s the love within the soul
It’s a message that we should have learned
So many years ago
We heard the urgent call of Martin Luther King
And though they struck his body down, his spirit still does sing…

Love knows no color
Love knows no color
Love knows no color….
No color but red

Greg
First the song - beautifully performed, superb vocal (as expected)strong lyrics and a lovely mix.
The video was nicely put together and clearly gets the message across.
Hope the song gets "out there" as requested.
Great production.

Greg,

Great song and lyrics. Also love your vocal on this one. Cool fade-out ending...

Bob

Hi Greg,

great song, awesome vocals and a strong message which is emphasized by the video.
I shared it on my facebook page. I hope that gets you some more views.

Guenter

Good work Greg!
Although I'm usually not much into political songs or songs with any political meaning or engagement, I do like this one.
Also a very nice compilation of the pictures (love the water painting like picture of Martin Luther King).

Rob

Super one Greg,
all is excellent.
I love the kind of chords you are usual to put in your song and this song has
a wonderful chords line, very soft and melodic as I like.

For me this is your best song.
Sergio

Love your song. The melody and lyrics are a moving tribute to the dream of Martin Luther King. The video and song supports each other creatively very well. While your video and music could stand alone in their message, both together evoke stirring, moving, heartwarming emotions that make one embrace and understand why “Love Knows No Color”.

Atze

Great job Greg. Very moving.

Love knows no color but red.

Greg, this is a powerful message superbly done. Top notch at every level.

Love this one Greg. Very well done.


Regards,

Bob

Thanks so much for the kind support Peter! Great working with you on We Are Not Alone! If you do pass links on to friends, please pass on the song. Take care. Greg

Beautiful song Greg. Very heartfelt lyric. As always an incredible vocal. Loved the productions as well

Dear Greg,

You are a very good singer and arranger, that was so beautifully modulated that every ounce of the message came through. Sing like that with your heart, and who could but not listen.

Paddy G

"It’s the content of the character
Not the color of the skin
It’s not the features of the packaging
But the soul that lies within
We all feel passion, and we all feel pain
We have the same blood running through our veins"

Greg - this is SUCH a strong write. Not a wasted syllable. Not a syllable out of place. Songwriting as craft and art.

It doesn't stop there. Each of the verses is just as strong. And tied together by a simple, yet power repeat chorus. Outstanding songwriting.

Your melodies SING. That is such an overlooked aspect of songwriting. Beautiful.

The instrumentation/production is so well done that I didn't "notice" it as I listened - the perfect foundation for this powerful message.

Sung to perfection.

Top drawer.

floyd

Hi, Greg !


This is nothing short of
fantastic ! My new Gregfav
so far !!!!

Congrats !:))

Cheers
Dani

Greg,

It's a really beautiful listen. You have a gift for designing melodies that enhance lyric character and arranging them so that the musical journey becomes an emotional experience.

As floyd has already mentioned, this is a very strong write.... solid gold songwriting penmanship! And a message that can never be delivered too often.

All the best,
Noel

Greg, You've done it again. A great write delivered by an exceptional vocal performance. " Some use the politics of color to divide
Why don’t we just focus on the things we share inside"
What a line! One of the things I like the most is that is a message song that doesn't feel preachy. It's more of a common sense approach. Superb piece of art. Tom

We had long thought about how to respond to this wonderful song. As I sat down to post them I read Tom's post. And he had already expressed them. What most struck us was, as Tom said, it is not preachy but ever so effective with the message. And, yes, a common sense approach, i.e., a non-polarizing approach. And it is indeed a "superb piece of art."

We are fond of singling out favorite lines but that wouldn't begin to do this great write justice. It is one to enjoy in it's totality.

We will pass it on.

Thanks for producing this and for sharing it.

J&B

PS A fine choice of imagery for the vid!

PPS Reflecting upon your video stirred us to again read "Letter from a Birmingham jail" which even without the context of confinement is an
amazing document.

Thanks so much Bob for the kind review! You've been on fire lately!! Take care. Greg

Thanks very much Guenter, and thanks for spreading the link!! Love your new one! Take care. Greg

Thanks Rob! It was a lot of fun to make. There are some great images on google to play with. Appreciate the kind words! Take care. Greg

Wonderful production and heartfelt vocal performance!

Well crafted lyrics and I think that is takes courage to wade in the political waters of song writing.

I enjoyed it very much.

Thanks so much Sergio! Enjoying your many guitar styles on the forum! Take care. Greg

Thanks so much Atze! MLK was a very inspiring figure. Just as with music (other than this forum), they just don't make 'em like that anymore. Really enjoying your presence on the forum! Take care. Greg

Thanks so much Sundance! You know how much I value your kind support! Take care. Greg

Greg,

This is a really strong song. I loved the production and performance all the way through. Great lyrics and vocals too.

Thanks so much for the kind words Charlie. Really glad you liked it! Take care. Greg

Thanks for the nice review Bob. Absolutely love your new one!! Take care. Greg

Mighty fine. A VERY timely message after the events of the last few days.

Thanks so much Scott! Good to see that you're "back in town"! Take care. Greg

Thanks Paddy! Much appreciated, especially from one who really knows how to sing from their heart! Take care. Greg

Wow,Greg.. this is awesome! And since it's actually a combination of several different artistic endeavors, I'll deal with each of them separately!

1) The Video
Yeah, I always prefer songs that come packaged with a video... and I thought you did a particularly good job of finding powerful images to reinforce the equally powerful statements in your lyrics. I notice you used fades between the pictures. It's hard to go wrong with fades, because they make everything look "right" ... but in the case of music videos especially there is an added advantage to changing scenes abruptly without fades... but only if its done right on the beat. (It has the effect of being a visual floor tom, if you catch my drift.)

2) The Lyrics
I think you are a great lyric writer in general, and especially in this case, you did justice to the enormity of the topic. That is no small achievement! I could easily quote the whole song as examples of outstanding lyric writing, but.. they're all great! I often try to analyze what makes lyrics interesting. Sometimes its the ability to create verbal imagery... but I think your special gift is the ability to "coin a phrase" and say common things in a new way that shines a light on some previously obscure aspect of the topic. This song is full of that, and I cite the verse that contains your title as an example.

3) The Music
You always do such a tasteful job of selecting chords, instruments and effects that build exactly the right mood for your topic, and this is no exception. Its an instantly likable sound canvas for your story to be painted on

4) Your singing
Again, this is one of your strengths... unlike me, you can actually sing, and that opens up a wider set of melodic options for you. Especially in a song like this, where there is likely potential for opposition to the ideas you are setting forth, the calmness of your vocal presentation takes on an authority of its own, and the vocals rise above the mere task of portraying a melody. Very impressive.

5) The mix
What can I say... your mixes are always clear and "right" in every way.

When we play our songs for others, they typically hear "a song" ... but in most cases "the song" is actually the combined result of several skill sets, any one of which can sink the ship if you don't get it right. That's what really impresses me about you and the other "heavy hitters" on the forum, because you have a long track record of wearing ALL the hats well.

Great write and performance, powerful message.

Kenny

Greg,
Outstanding. One of your best.
SD

Thanks Floyd. It's hard to express just how good such a nice review makes me feel. Thanks for all your help and support. Take care. Greg

Thanks so much Dani!! I just listened to your new one a few minutes ago, and loved it! Take care. Greg

THanks very much Noel! Sadly, it seems that this message is being obscured by a small number of haters on both sides with the help of politicians and media. Really enjoyed your new one! Take care. Greg

Great songwriting here, wonderful lyrics, love your vocal too.

Gorgeous! Greg, I completely agree with all the praises...very nice work! -Eric

Edit: forgot to mention, re: the Sneetches/Seuss reference, that story popped up in my mind recently in a discussion about immigration. I kept it to myself, but almost used it to illustrate my point. Actually, I often think of that story, so I appreciate the reference.

Thanks for the extremely kind words Tom. It's sad how current events have brought the topic of this song back into focus. It shouldn't be so hard for people to "just get along". Thanks for the constant encouragement and support! Take care. Greg

Thanks Lawrence! I tried to wade cautiously. Sometimes there's crocodiles in them waters. Just listened to your new one. FLOORED ME!!! Take care. Greg

Thanks so much David. Just listened to "Stranger at the Gate"---WOW!!! You're rollin!! Take care. Greg

What can I say Pat, except that's about the nicest review I've ever had. It is wonderful the way you listen so carefully to songs on the forum and give such thoughtful responses. I really appreciate your steady support and kind words. Thanks so much! Take care. Greg

Greg,
You have a warm & relaxed vocal style ( shades of Don Henley for me) which suits the song very well. It would be easy to let the message become strident but your lyrics are gentle and even a little humorous.
Great job on the production of both song & video.
Robert

Absolutely outstanding Greg ! The music, the lyric, the message, ur voice, the performance, everything in this one is just top notch ! Will share this one on my facebook page...

Thanks for the nice words Kenny! About time for a new one from you! Take care. Greg