I recently re-watched the last interview Warren Zevon gave to David Letterman. It was a different interview and appearance by a guest as Dave had never devoted a full episode to one interview or one performer.
If you don't know Warren Zevon's story or aren't familiar with his music I would recommend taking the time to watch the interview and to discover his music. I will share what I took away from his interview and let you see if you can see any of his influences in my songwriting.
The thing about this interview that stood out to me is the fact that Warren had been diagnosed with an incurable lung cancer just months before he was to appear. Instead of taking chemo or going through any intense treatments, he chose to make one last album. Dave's first comment was he heard you got some tough news and to that he replied, “so you heard about the flu”. And all through the interview he jokes about his fate, but the comment that stood out to me is how he stated, “ you are reminded to enjoy every sandwich”.
I know this is an odd topic to start my first blog on the newly started webpage but that is exactly what good songwriting is about to me. I think it is every songwriters job to look at life through a different lens than the world looks at it. In some case making light of the issues of the word and in others helping people to feel the emotions they are going through. I hope as you listen to my music and reading through the weekly blogs you are taken to a different place if only for the moment.
Since hearing about this I have often wondered what i might do if given the same news. I would hope I could be as courageous and take life with the same vigor as Warren did and would want to write more music to share with the world but one will never know unless put in that position.
All I know is it was pretty good advice when he told us “ to enjoy every sandwich”!