Dearly Beloved

Album: released as a single (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is a tribute to Kiesza's late friend Alice, who died in 2015 following a battle with leukaemia. The white electric guitar that the singer plays in the music video also honors her fallen pal.

    "When my best friend Alice passed away nearly a year and a half ago, her white electric guitar was passed along to me," Kiesza said. "In her memory and because I love her so much, I promised myself that I would not let it sit in its case collecting dust. I was going to play the hell out of it, just as she would have done. So that's what I'm doing."

    Adam Agati, a professional guitarist and Alice's boyfriend, taught Kiesza how to play electric for the song and the rest of the album.
  • Alicia Lemke, better known as Alice and the Glass Lake, was Kiesza's best friend. Her death coincided with the Calgary native still supporting her 2014 debut Sound of a Woman and thoughts of coming up with a follow-up had to be set aside for a while.

    "Basically, she passed away as I was beginning to write my next album," Kiesza, told Billboard magazine, "and it was really a challenge to get back into writing again, through this immense tragedy and the weight of the grief I was feeling. That's why it took me a little bit longer to get back, to get my music out. I didn't want all my music to be sad. I had to let myself heal for a bit."

    She recorded this song while Lemke's father was visiting her in the studio.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining Victims

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining VictimsSong Writing

Just like Darrin was replaced on Bewitched, groups have swapped out original members, hoping we wouldn't notice.

Richie McDonald of Lonestar

Richie McDonald of LonestarSongwriter Interviews

Richie talks about the impact of "Amazed," and how his 4-year-old son inspired another Lonestar hit.

Little Richard

Little RichardFact or Fiction

Was Long Tall Sally a cross-dresser? Did he really set his piano on fire? See if you know the real stories about one of rock's greatest innovators.

Famous Singers' First Films

Famous Singers' First FilmsSong Writing

A look at the good (Diana Ross, Eminem), the bad (Madonna, Bob Dylan) and the peculiar (David Bowie, Michael Jackson) film debuts of superstar singers.

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?