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When You Were Here

by Al Hovden

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about

Several years ago I was contacted online by a mysterious gentleman named 5 who was part of a secret philanthropic group of millionaires. This organization supported songwriters and composers around the world that they thought were "worthy' of their help.

The group formed what I can only describe as an organization that resembled an "old school" record company - one that actually developed and financed artists - but for absolutely no profit other than what they got back from being the benefactors of these artists.

5 - who would never reveal his real name - had several of my songs professionally recorded by some of his teams and gave them to me to use for promoting myself with no strings attached and no charge.

Unfortunately he had not been in good health and finally became too ill to continue supporting the many artists he managed around the world. Just before he retired from his "business" as he liked to call it he asked a favour of me - would I write a song about George Harrison? This song - When You Were Here - is the result.

I've always thought that there were bigger powers in play after connecting with 5. I felt at times like Alice falling down the rabbit hole - it was all so surreal. After writing the song for him I realized that it could be about any number of people that have brought important messages of hope or change to mankind - Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandella, Mother Teresa - the list goes on and on.

If you're still out there 5 - I hope I've kept up my end of the bargain and created something that you would enjoy and would make me "worthy" in your eyes. Where ever you are now I'll never forget "when you were here".

lyrics

When You Were Here

A long long time ago
You took us by the hand
And lead us to a world
That we could understand
When you were here
A long long time ago

It seems like yesterday
When you were everywhere
You said that love would bring
A peace the world could share
When you were here
A long long time ago

And you were just a man that sang a song
Til everybody sang along
Sang along

Your light helped us to see
A smile that seemed to say
We could all be free
And you showed us the way
When you were here
A long long time ago

And you were just a man that sang a song
Til everybody sang along
Sang along

And now the world has changed
Yes every man must fall
But your message still remains
You left it for us all
When you were here
A long long time ago

Written by: Al Hovden
SOCAN C 2014

credits

released May 24, 2016
Vocals, guitars, synths: Al Hovden
Drums, bass, piano: Sundown Sessions
Producers: Al Hovden, Chris Shreenan-Dyck (Sundown Sessions)

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Al Hovden Vancouver, British Columbia

Written songs for Bruce Fairburn – producer of Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Yes and more; songs published by Bruce Allen (manager of Bryan Adams, Michael Buble and Diana Krall) and produced material for many other Canadian artists and publishers. Also wrote songs for two albums by Terry Jacks (famous for the #1 international hit Season’s In The Sun). This year placed a song in a US TV show TBA. ... more

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