songwriters Archives - Keith Shields

The Singer and You

Key of Zed, the duo of Mike Charko and Keith Shields, has just released a new original single. For fans of Blue Rodeo and a few other bands, you will recognize the references to a few other songs in the lyrics. See how many you can catch. (At a later date I will release an annotated…

Marc Martel, The Impersonator

Marc Martel is one of those guys for whom I have the greatest of respect. He is talented beyond the level of many in the music industry and has made music with a diverse group of people. This Christmas, I am glad to see him making music with Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant. They…

In Another Light

One of the greatest songwriters of the past 50 years is Wayne Kirkpatrick. I have sung his praises before. To my knowledge he has only produced one solo album, entitled, The Maple Room, and from that album comes the song, “In Another Light.” Although the song is obviously written about a marriage relationship (“Hey, that’s…

Five Minutes

Gretchen Peters writes songs that tell stories and offer insight into the human condition. “Five Minutes” is an example of a song that tells the story of a broken and flawed woman. Five Minutes (words and music by Gretchen Peters) (From the album Hello Cruel World) (Listen to it here) I’ve got five minutes to…

Hello Cruel World

I just discovered the Essentials album by Gretchen Peters. She has written songs for Bryan Adams, Martina McBride, Faith Hill, and many others. “Hello Cruel World” is one of my favourite songs on the album. It is full of angst and tensions of good and evil. It makes one think about the struggles of this world and…

Cuddy Cavalcade

He may have a “Skyscraper Soul” but his music continues to reach new heights. Jim Cuddy came to Calgary on March 1 and brought with him, in his own words, a “cavalcade of stars.” Cuddy gave plenty of space to his two sons who featured in two or more songs each. They are up-and-coming musicians…

Coals and Water

Coals and Water (Performed by Angel Snow) (Music and Lyrics by Angel Snow) (Listen here) Fortune tellers dancin’ ’round inside my head I’m tryin’ not to lose everything she said Even so in standing at the foot of my bed last night This mountains gettin’ higher with every step I’m trying not to lose everything…

The Greatest Showman

The Greatest Showman (2017) (Directed by Michael Gracey; written by Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon) (Spoiler alert: if you want to be completely surprised by the themes contained in this film, see the movie before reading this blog.) Those who regularly read this blog will not be surprised to hear that I enjoyed another musical. The…

Tin Man

A well-written song will always work on my emotions. Miranda Lambert’s song “Tin Man” is one of those. It is a great concept and a simple structure with no real chorus except the ooohs. She speaks of being broken-hearted and wishing she didn’t even have a heart. Then, the final verse expresses her desire to…

Two Weeks

The band known as The East Pointers just released an album called What We Leave Behind. On that album is a song to which many will be able to relate. It is called “Two Weeks” and deals with the emotions of leaving home to work at a job in a far-off province for “two weeks…