Soarin’ is a song for dreamers. It was written with the premise that we should all strive “to live the life we’ve been dreamin’ of.” Perhaps everyone at some point has been in a rut, holding a half-empty cup. Marissa Angelina Wendt takes us on a soulful journey from self-inspection to self-actualization. With inspirational verses and building harmonius chorus lines, we celebrate goal attainment in a sweet song. A dreamer herself, Marissa hopes that Soarin’ will motivate others to pursue their dreams.
The inspiration for the song, came after Marissa was accepted to OCSA (Orange County School of the Arts) one of the top charter schools in California. Marissa had been singing and performing since she was 4. After realizing her 1st big dream to be on TV, landing her first TV commercial when she was 5, she set her sights on OCSA in grade school and worked hard to get there. At the end of the 6th grade, she got the news: she made it. “It was like she was soaring”, said Marissa’s Dad, Jim Wendt. Over the next two years Marissa worked with guitarist Alex Vo to create the melody and refined the lyrics. In the summer of 2016, the Wendts worked with acclaimed music producer Lewis Richards of 17th Street Recording in Costa Mesa, CA to bring Soarin’ to life.
Review: Soaring Sounds of Inspiration (by D.J. Flink)
“Soarin'" ascends from the outset. With its stripped down yet stirring and soulful guitar chords, the song instantly captures & holds the listener's attention.The soon accompanying vocals, rendered with unmistakable warmth by Marissa Angelina, soon enter the mix and blend with effortless harmony but the listener is immediately struck by the brilliant contrast of harmonious music and vocals, juxtaposed with weighty lyrical content: we have deep things to contemplate here. Music---at its best and most compelling---uncovers a multitude of treasures for us as humans: It takes us on a journey. It lets us look back in fond reflection on times past but never forgotten. It keeps us young.
Marissa unlocks treasures for us in “Soarin'" asking us to do two things, as she thoughtfully talks to herself. Consideration of present circumstance is drawing her in and yet pushing her out. “Soarin'" is at its best moments is a contemplation of things as they are. But it's clearly an invitation to take the present circumstance and to simply equip it with wings. The chorus speaks to the verse in total embracing affirmation. The backing vocals, when they enter, come across with the warmth of a Gospel choir. They speak with joyous acceptance back to the singer and blend magically. Contemplation leads us to consider the path Marissa is on, her "unwinding road" as she so wonderfully calls it. What is OUR own path then? Are we embracing it as she is?
Through her soulful singing, the artist has asked us to embrace the unknown. Will we put on wings as she has and take to our own journey?"
lyrics
I was stumblin’, fumblin’
I was caught in a rut
Always tryin’, sometimes cryin’
Had a half empty cup
Couldn’t wait, stood up straight
Drew a line in the sand
No more coulda shoulda beens
Time to take a higher stand
Doin’ the things that I’ve been thinkin' of
I spread my wings to rise above
To live the dream that I’ve been dreamin’ of
I wanna be soarin’
High above the ground
I wanna be soarin’
Where no one can bring me down
I wanna feel so alive
Hands up in the sky
Way up high
I wanna be soarin’
No more hiding, more confiding
I wrote down some goals
No more waiting, went driving
Down my unwinding road
And persevering, ignoring
The noises in the way
Realizing, I’m flying
Down my runway
Doin’ the things that I’ve been thinkin' of
I spread my wings to rise above
To live the dream that I’ve been dreamin’ of
I’m gonna be soarin’
High above the ground
I’m gonna be soarin’
Where no one can bring me down
I’m gonna feel so alive
Hands up in the sky
Way up high
I’m gonna be soarin’
I’ll be soarin'
Goodbye gravity
Gotta stay strong
Hello to reality
I know where I belong
Doin’ the things that I’ve been thinkin' of
I spread my wings to rise above
To live the dream that I’ve been dreamin’ of
And now I’m soarin’
High above the ground
And now I’m soarin’
Where no one can bring me down
Now I feel so alive
Hands up in the sky
Way up high
Now I’m soarin’
I’m free soarin’
My head’s in the clouds
I’m never comin’ down
credits
released July 1, 2016
Words and Music: Jimmy Wendt & Marissa Wendt
Guitars: Alex Vo
Bass Guitar & Beats: Lewis Richards
Background Vocals: Lacey Johnson
Produced and arranged by: Lewis Richards/17th Street
Always driven by music, I started pursuing a passion for songwriting later in life. There is something magical about the
progression of a song. I tend to start with lyrics and over time a melody will manifest itself. Once in the studio, witnessing a song come to life is an incredible feeling. Enjoy! Open to working with other artists & brands. Proceeds support my girls' college funds....more
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