Happy #SongLyricsSunday and Fourth of July for those who live in the US. Even though I am American, I don’t really celebrate the Fourth here in Japan. It isn’t a major celebration among expats here as It is a normal day here. If this was a weekday, we would be at work like usual. I don’t even people would gather together to celebrate it after work.
Because today is the Fourth of July, the prompt for #SongLyricsSunday is to find a song by an American artist. While I was walking home from my fellow friend’s memorial service today, Spotify randomly played Minnie Riperton’s 1979 song “Never Existed Before”. This is mellow tune is a perfect one for today due to its nature, but also has a nod to the American holiday. Let’s find out more about the song together!
You Ask Me What I See
“Never Existed Before” is a track off Minnie Riperton’s 1979 album Minnie. It was released two months before her death, but her first one of Capitol Records (which when she heard the news she was signed to the label, she rushed to make this album). The track was written by Minnie Riperton, Richard Rudolph, and Bill Thedford.
The tune talks about how the main character experiences sights and sounds that she never saw before. The reason? Because she fell in love with the person whom she is singing to. The lyrics are set to a laid-back, summer-like R&B melody with flutes, strings, percussion, guitar, and a little hint of an electric piano. It is such beautiful, subtle instrumentation, but Minnie Riperton’s gorgeous voice is the main character in this tune. Minnie’s vocals were so infectious because they were full of beautiful tones, talent, and she had a wide range. Just listen to “Never Existed Before” to hear them and find out why they are so beautiful!
Listen to Minnie Riperton’s “Never Existed Before” down below and tell me what you think in the comments. Did you spot the Fourth of July reference?
Lyrics to Minnie Riperton’s “Never Existed Before”
So you ask me what do I see
When I look into your eyes
I see things that have never existed before
Shall I tell you all that I find
In those beautiful eyes I can try
But it never existed before
A silvery moon… a will in the park
The tunnel of love… a kiss in the dark
The light of the stars… the clouds in the sky
The fireworks on the fourth of july
And you ask me what do I hear
When you whisper my name
Music plays that has never existed before
Oh, and I don’t know why
But it’s there just the same
And it’s plain that it never existed before
The song of the rain on flowers in spring
The wind in the willow trees murmuring
The laughter that falls the children at play
Like church bells that call all the people to pray
So you ask me why do I glow
Well, I think you should know
I’m in love and I never existed before
The Rules for #SongLyricsSunday
(This challenge is currently hosted by the generous Jim Adams.)
Anyone can participate in #SongLyricsSunday, even if you aren’t a music blogger! If you want to participate, here are the rules:
- Post the lyrics to the song of your choice, whether it fits the theme or not.
- Please try to include the songwriter(s) – it’s a good idea to give credit where credit is due.
- Make sure you also credit the singer/band and if you desire you can provide a link to where you found the lyrics.
- Link to the YouTube video, or pull it into your post so others can listen to the song.
- Pingback to this post will eventually work, as long as you are being patient, but you can also place your link in the comments if you don’t like to wait.
- Read at least one other person’s blog, so we can all share new and fantastic music and create amazing new blogging friends in the process.
- Feel free to suggest future prompts.
- Have fun and enjoy the music.
