Slowly

Album: You're Stronger Than You Know (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • James Morrison struggled for a long time to write the follow-up to his 2015 Higher Than Here album. His label at the time was pushing him to write uplifting music when he was in the pits of despair as his relationship with his long-term partner Gill was not going well.

    Morrison feared he'd lost his songwriting mojo until he came up with this piano ballad, which tackles his unhappy upbringing with his parents which was affected by alcoholism and depression. "Trying to escape where you've come from is hard," said Morrison. "I was brought up in alcoholism and depression and that stuff is hard to fight against. There are a lot of people in the world who have lost or had difficulties with their parents. Being ultra-personal is quite difficult, but if it can help people I'll definitely leave it in."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.