Lease On Life

Album: The Art of Joy (2021)
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Songfacts®:

  • For many, the coronavirus pandemic induced a whole lot of soul-searching. Andy Grammer was no different. Quarantining at home with no touring on the immediate horizon, he started pondering his life's meaning. Helped by personal analysis and his newly born second daughter, Grammer learned to derive self-worth from within rather than outside of himself.

    Inspired by this newfound perspective, Grammer penned this anthem that speaks of finding clarity in his search for meaning. He said it's about "rare moments in life" where things become clear, and he feels "like I'm on the top of the mountain and I can see for miles."

    Grammer added he's continually trying to reach that point. "Sometimes nature helps, meditation, prayer or just time with my family," he said. "I need those reminders, we all need those reminders that there is more in front of us then behind us."
  • Grammer premiered the song on CNN's Graduation 2021: A CNN Special Event where Vice President Kamala Harris delivered the keynote address. The special, hosted by CNN's Brianna Keilar and Don Lemon, aired on May 23, 2021.
  • S-Curve Records released this feel-good song on June 28, 2021. It was the label's first release after relaunching in a new worldwide venture with Disney Music Group, with Grammer, a longtime S-Curve hitmaker, as their first signing. The back catalog, including Grammer's multi-platinum "Honey, I'm Good," remains with their old distributors, Universal Music Group.
  • The song soundtracked a major summer 2021 global advertising campaign by International Hotel Group. Holiday Inn Express, Intercontinental, and Kimpton are among some of the IHG brands.
  • The life of a musician is a roller coaster with plenty of ups and downs. Grammer told American Songwriter this song is inspired by those times when everything is going OK. "When those moments come along, I hold onto them, because eventually, it passes and you and you have to go back to worry and stress and doubt and all those things," he said.

    Grammer added the birth of his second daughter was one of those moments. "I was with her and I was like, 'Oh my God, I'm gonna get to do this love thing again, really deeply,'" he said. "It's one of these moments in my life where I genuinely feel like there's more in front of me than behind me."

Comments: 1

  • Munchiegoosie from UsaI first discovered this song on YouTube, ended up buying it, and then checked out the meaning behind the song (posted on this website). For me, this song rings true on the journey of coping with mental illness. Sometimes it can seem dark, but there is hope. Sometimes it can be especially hard, but I think it's important to remember that the sun will always rise the next day. Anyway, thank you Andy. You once again have put out what is now one of my favorite songs. Lol l
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