CHUCK GIRARD- Singer, Songwriter, Recording Artist, and Worship Leader
A Pioneer of Contemporary Christian Music, Member and Co-Founder of the CCM group 'LOVE SONG.'
A Pioneer of Contemporary Christian Music, Member and Co-Founder of the CCM group 'LOVE SONG.'
Slow Down
The obvious inspiration for this song is the scripture: "Be still and know that I am God". Again, this is a simple lyric that takes no deep thought to relate to, which is often the mark of a song that can minister to many people. I'm not sure where I was when I wrote this song. Not much to say about that.
I do remember having session players in to play the track, and not being able to get the mood right. I finally enlisted the services of my sister-in-law, Gina Price, to learn the song. She is a great piano player technically, but had never played in a studio before. I wanted to get the feel right, and she played as I sang, to no discernible tempo, just feeling our way through the song. She did a great job, and within a few takes, we got the track. I think I redid the vocal later, but actually may not have. I don't remember.
I wrote the vocal parts myself, actually notating the parts to be read by the choral group. I have only limited ability to read and write music, and it took me a long time to write out the charts on my own. I was very gratified by the depth of feeling we achieved with the vocals. In retrospect, I always felt that the song was too slow and mannered in general. It seems a bit labored and stodgy to me, but perhaps this is what adds to the effect of the lyrics. I've had many people tell me that the exaggerated hold on the word "Slow," actually ministers in a positive way to the patience of the listeners who want the note to end sooner. Go figure, it's God's business at this point.
Even today, This song receives more mail and comment than any other song I have ever written.
Chuck
I do remember having session players in to play the track, and not being able to get the mood right. I finally enlisted the services of my sister-in-law, Gina Price, to learn the song. She is a great piano player technically, but had never played in a studio before. I wanted to get the feel right, and she played as I sang, to no discernible tempo, just feeling our way through the song. She did a great job, and within a few takes, we got the track. I think I redid the vocal later, but actually may not have. I don't remember.
I wrote the vocal parts myself, actually notating the parts to be read by the choral group. I have only limited ability to read and write music, and it took me a long time to write out the charts on my own. I was very gratified by the depth of feeling we achieved with the vocals. In retrospect, I always felt that the song was too slow and mannered in general. It seems a bit labored and stodgy to me, but perhaps this is what adds to the effect of the lyrics. I've had many people tell me that the exaggerated hold on the word "Slow," actually ministers in a positive way to the patience of the listeners who want the note to end sooner. Go figure, it's God's business at this point.
Even today, This song receives more mail and comment than any other song I have ever written.
Chuck
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Chuck Girard's Music
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