Story behind the Song – Everyday Angels

My mom, mother-in-law, and a dear friend, Ellie, have all worked tirelessly throughout their lives helping others through churches, charities, and in the simple acts of their daily lives.  Everyday Angels was written to honor those three people, who are especially notable for their kindness, and for their desire to share that kindness with others.  I have the greatest respect for those that do spend so much time and effort helping others, so this song was also written in appreciation of everyone that displays such selflessness and generosity.

RJ Lannan of New Age Reporter does an excellent job in translating my thoughts in his review of Everyday Angels:
“They are out there. Sometimes you see them and sometimes you do not. Dave's piano fairly twinkles as it sings happily about the exceptional people that touch our lives in so many profound ways. How about the cab driver that got you back your computer or the waitress that wiped up the spill and still kept her smile. Or the nurse that said just the right thing and made the pain a little easier to bear.”

I’d also include those that tirelessly work in their churches, in homeless shelters, in animal shelters, and with the thousands of other charities throughout the US and the world whose purpose is to help make life better for others.

I’ll admit that I find it difficult to write songs honoring other people.  For the thought to even occur that I might want to write a song about someone, they must have done something to have left a significant impression.  I had previously written songs about girlfriends, but I confess that the real intent with those efforts was to impress a particular person, and not to honestly convey my feelings!  Conversely, when I wrote “When Lisa Smiles”, it was truly an attempt to convey my honest feelings about my beautiful wife.  However, even in that case, I had the benefit of a singular audience, and it was only later that I decided to share that song with others and, ultimately, include it on Along the Curve.

On the other hand, Everyday Angels was written with the explicit intention of sharing both a song and the message with others.  The challenge was to convey the purity and sensitivity of these individuals’ efforts, while also reflecting the inspiration and commitment that must exist for them to be so dedicated to their efforts for so long.  However, probably the most daunting challenge was to try and do justice to the over 150 years of combined service that these ladies have given to their fellow man! 

Needless to say, Everyday Angels never can do justice to the thousands of hours of blood, sweat, tears, joy, sadness, elation, and frustration that these three Angels have given in service of others.  And when this is multiplied many times over by the efforts of millions of others, the song is truly just a single brick in the monument that could be built to these individuals.  They are an example for us all, and deserve our respect and gratitude. 

“To do something, however small, to make others happier and better, is the highest ambition, the most elevating hope, which can inspire a human being.”
     -- John Lubbock

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