symphony in 16 bars

This is Kenny White’s song that I quoted to you in my entry on November 17th. I wanted you to actually hear it, and see him. I really think you would like his music, Pop. This one is particularly touching, especially after losing you. Please enjoy it, and feel my sentiments, here.

Lyrics:

How do I put this down? How do I make it clear? What I’m feeling now. How I wish you were here.

How do you fit an ocean into a riverbed? How do I turn your memory back into you instead?

I might as well try naming all the stars. Or write a symphony in 16 bars.

On a side note, I emailed Kenny White to ask about if a different song was about his father, and this is a record of our correspondence:

Hi, Kenny! Hope things are going well for you. I had a question, and I hope you don’t think I’m being nosy, but I think I may have put something together, but I may be completely wrong. My father died almost 3 months ago by his own means, and since it has been so life-changing, I’ve listened to your songs through a different kind of receiver now. I wanted to ask you if your song “Please” from Comfort in the Static was written about your dad. I don’t want you to feel pity for me or anything…I started a blog where I write Pop letters, and that’s helped tremendously. I just recently quoted to him “Symphony in 16 Bars,” and embedded a video from youtube for him, so in theory, he will be able to see it. Seems like there was another song of yours that I want to learn that I was going to ask you about, but at the moment, I’ve forgotten which one. Was going to see if you’d send me the basic notes, but I’ll have to think on that. I hope you’re doing well and enjoying life! Feel free to share with me any information, or feel free not to. I just have thought of “Please” as relating to my dad, so I wondered about your perspective.

Also, I ran into your godson not long ago! He looks great, and seems very happy. Take good care, and hope to talk/see you soon!
With love from your small-statured but huge fan,
Marshall

This is what he wrote back:

hey marshall…i am SO sorry to hear about your father. 
i can only imagine the impact that has had on you and your family. 
my heart goes out to you.
 
as for ‘please’…it was written for one of my two closest high school friends
whom we lost to hepatitis C a few years back.
unnecessarily, too.
since he was not only a staunch beatles fan, 
but the one who’d first turned me on to them, 
i thought it only fitting to have the song be reminiscent in style.
i even, through judy collins, tried to get paul mccartney to sing on it. he STILL hasn’t said no!
but i had to move on 😉
 
(somehow, it has landed on some playlist and, from what i hear, 
gets regular play in sears, wendy’s, cvs, among others ;))

when you think of the other song in question, let me know. i’ll send you whatever you’d like.

i’m flattered and touched to be among the material with which you’re honoring your father.
i really am very sorry to hear about him.
 
i hope to see you soon, although i don’t have any NC on the calendar at the moment.
 
thanks for the shout out, marshall.
and listen, if you need to talk…i’m a good listener.
 
small-statured, maybe…big hearted…for sure.
xo-kw

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