Love Can Change the World

in a strange way, kayne west inspired this song. i was listening to his second album on a bike ride, getting fed up with all the self-congratulatory bragging, posturing, and tearing everyone else down, when the thought “building bridges are so much more beautiful than dropping bombs” popped into my head. we live in a world that tries to fight hate with louder hate, war with bigger bombs, and hurt with pre-emptive attacks…and it doesn’t seem to be helping. people ask me if this is a political song, and I always say no. obviously, our country has recently given in to the ridiculous waste of fighting violence with violence, but this is played out on every playground, cafeteria, and board room in the world, and the problem is not going to be solved with new laws or peace protests; it needs to begin with how I treat the server at Chili’s, the family member who bugs me, and the person who broke my heart.

musically, I was listening to a lot of Keane at the time, so the original demo owes a big debt to them, but when we began to sing this song live, it grew a little more muscular--more in the dance rock direction. I’ve never really loved the melody of the verses, but I’m thrilled with how the chorus came together, and I could sing the bridge every single day.

Love Can Change - chord chart