Sisters

Album: Passion and Warfare (1990)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Steve Vai is very close to his two sisters, which is why he titled this song in their honor. His younger sister, Lillian, was his best friend growing up; his older sister, Pam, has served as his assistant for most of his career.

    In our interview with Vai, he explained: "The song was completed, I listened to it, and I just said, 'What does it feel like? What does this song make me feel?' And it just felt like a beautiful warmth and tenderness that I feel with my sisters."
  • Vai started writing this song while he was still in high school. "It was one of the first kind of sweet, simple riffs that sounded like my own unique piece of music," he told us.

    By the time recorded the song, Vai had amassed an impressive resumé, doing stints with Frank Zappa, Public Image, Ltd. and David Lee Roth. He included it on his breakthrough album Passion and Warfare, his second solo set.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.