Song Title Artwork by Meagan O’Brien
This song was inspired by a trip I took with my Mother, Jacque. I have spent half of my life on the East coast. My Arizona Mom traveled to Massachusetts on several occasions, typically around an event involving grandchildren.
On this particular trip, we decided to take the train from Boston to NYC. It is a stunning ride along the Connecticut seacoast any time of year, but this was the fall season, which some would argue as the best time to see New England.
As we were on the train heading back to South Station in Boston, still elated from being in the most iconic city in the US, my Mom turned and said, “If I had my life to live all over again, I would spend every Christmas in New York.”
A common explanation heard from songwriters about where a certain song came from, is that a moment or a statement made at some time became the fodder for a tune. Memories of this trip coupled with several other NYC holiday excursions provided the scenes of the song.
This was the case with the first Christmas song I had written and recorded. At the time this song was written, I was performing The American Songbook with Duet Deborah, and sent my new song ideas off to co-writer AWK for yet another bi-coastal tune. Embracing the Jazz Standards muse, he created a wonderful musical jaunt that allows the story to present itself exactly as it had been experienced. This tune was recorded and the studio video shot at Wellspring Studios in Acton, Massachusetts.
In 2012 when the track was released as a YouTube video, it was accompanied by a Red Cross donation link in support of Hurricane Sandy efforts. We received over 500 views and donations were made. One view at a time! Below is a link to the 2019 Lyric video that was created to give the tune some new life.
Whether you have been to NYC at the holiday season or not, the visuals can take you there. Download the MP3 in the DD archive music store. Turn it up take the train ride and sing along. ENJOY
Video and Still Images by Dianna Manley