i've been lucky but i've worked hard to be a full time musician for the last 13 years. the first half of my professional music career was amazing, with money and fame and all that good stuff. the second half has been a bit more difficult. i wrote this song to myself a few years ago, as a bit of a pep talk.
don't give up. don't ever give up.
BACK DOWN - lyrics
where you gonna run to, boy - when all your lies are here
cuz anywhere you run to, boy - it'll still be you in the mirror
do you really want it, boy - knowing all that you fear
i know that you're leaving, baby... i know that... you'll always be here
you said don't back down - so i won't back down
you told me don't back down - so i won't back down
is it getting better, baby - every time you curse yourself
there's got to be a better way, baby - it doesn't always have to be you against everyone else
are you hurting, baby - are you lost or just not found
nothing lasts forever, baby - so tell me that i'm something, baby
i need to hear you make the sound
and say don't back down
so i won't back down
tell me don't back down
so i won't back down
you told me don't back down
so i won't back down
you said don't back down
so i won't back down
for more original music, photography, writing and other content, please follow me at @javierdunn .... thank you!
thank you to everyone in the #openmic community for being amazing and supportive and inspirational. proud to join you all here on #steemit !
this is an amazing song my friend...ooo my the goosebumps here... feeling it pretty heavy... fucking love it
I looked you up on YouTube to listen a while back, and saw that you toured with Sara Bareilles. Pretty cool - and I imagine it takes a lot of humility to keep going after being so on the brink! Anyway, famous or not, I do enjoy your work. One thing I've been encouraged by is when people say that the people who are meant to hear what I have will hear it. There are smaller bands that I know haven't done super well commercially (and likely can't even pay their bills--tragedy!), but who have meant the world to me. There's a great hope that I've been able to be that for someone.
Keep singing, brother.
well this meant the world to me ;) thanks kay! yes - humility has been crucial. but also a realization that there is no pre-defined path or story that i'm missing out on. it's all happening here right now in this moment. and right now i feel lucky. so thank you. for listening, and writing, and creating... thank you.
That's a lot of wisdom there, friend.
I didn't make it as far as you, but was working with some high-level industry people for a while and certainly felt a bit on the "brink" as well, sort of "hovering" close to success in some ways, and it's been hard to go back to square one, especially after feeling like I missed out on years of building! But Steemit has been great, as well as learning bits and pieces about online business, so I'm still hopeful. But the right focus is just to stay plugged in to what is now.
Have a good day!
Very true. Staying plugged into the now and reconnecting to the heart of the artist inside.
Asking ourselves better questions is paramount.
How can what we share (& how we share it) better affect our communities And our world?
The path of the artist is one of regular recalibrations of focus, direction and psychological/emotional healing.
Very well-expressed, Nathan! It's really cool to have other artists to connect to in these deeper things about our work.
Sounds really good.
This is just so beautiful man..
thank you very much @papaudeme .... really kind words. i'm glad you liked it. happy steeming!
Cheer up dude.
i'm getting there ;) thanks for the pep talk!
Hey mate,
This is a beautiful song. The tone of your voice is just wonderful to listen to.
As a touring musician, I can totally relate to this subject matter too, bro.
The path of the independent musician is so tumultuous when you’re doing it DIY. Flipping from success to burn out to struggle getting gigs to warring with the inner critic and round again.
And even when your music touches many people, if there’s no money to pay the rent it gets hard to justify going on with slogging it out with your music career.
Steemit is a good place to reinvigorate the creative heart and get back on track, I reckon.
Blessings to you @javierdunn!
thanks man. just knowing that people relate to that struggle helps me keep going. and words as well put as yours are truly inspirational. thank you nathan!
Congratulations @javierdunn! You received a personal award!
Click here to view your Board
Do not miss the last post from @steemitboard:
Congratulations @javierdunn! You received a personal award!
You can view your badges on your Steem Board and compare to others on the Steem Ranking
Vote for @Steemitboard as a witness to get one more award and increased upvotes!
Hi @javierdunn
Excellent article. I subscribed to your blog. I will follow your news.
I will be grateful if you subscribe to my blog @user2627
Good luck to you!