Speaking From The Heart
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“What do you want me to do?” I asked, not quite believing it.
“I need you to get up there and sing the song you wrote,” he said, pointing at the stage. “We’ll make a recording of it for posterity.”
My jaw dropped. “You want me to perform my own song? You can’t be serious!”
“Yes, we are serious. We’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time now. We’ve had our doubts, but we were never sure if we’d ever hear your voice again. If you’re willing, I think that will go a long way toward putting this whole thing behind us.”
I couldn’t believe it.
“Are you sure?” I asked, my hands trembling. “There’s no backing out now.”
He nodded. “That was what I thought.”
“Why do you want me to sing the song?” I asked, confused.
“Because I know how much you love music, and I think you have a beautiful voice. We’ve heard enough recordings of it over the years. It’s time for us to hear you sing it live. It has to be now.”
The room seemed to be spinning around me as I looked from one person to another.
“Are you sure?” I asked again, not understanding.
“Yes, we’re sure. That’s why we came here tonight. There is no other choice. This is the only way. You can’t let us down. You can’t disappoint us. It’s all riding on you. Will you do it?”
I nodded, trying to find the words.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
I took a deep breath, feeling a little like I was having an out-of-body experience.
“Okay, here goes nothing,” I said, holding my hands together and bowing my head. “I’m ready.”
***
I wasn’t sure what to expect. I hadn’t sung in front of a crowd since the last time I played in this bar. But it was the right place to do it.
I’d been given the lyrics before I went on, so I knew the melody. And it was the same song I’d written.
But singing it for a room full of people, and not just one or two, was going to be different.
I was nervous, but excited at the same time.
When I looked up into the lights, the faces staring back at me were all unfamiliar. I couldn’t even guess who they were.
Everyone in the room had their eyes glued to me. I could feel it. I saw the same look in every pair of eyes.
And when I opened my mouth and began to sing, it felt like everything in the world stopped.
My voice was strong. The sound resonated through the entire building.
I looked out over the room, seeing a hundred pairs of eyes looking back at me. It was too much for me to take.
I couldn’t believe it. It was the most amazing feeling I’d ever experienced.
“That’s it,” I heard someone say.
It was a woman.
I couldn’t see her face, but I could hear her voice.
“You’ve got it,” she said. “Just keep going.”
I closed my eyes and kept singing.
There was nothing else I wanted to do.
“Do you want to stop?” the woman asked.
I shook my head.
“No, I don’t think so.”
She laughed.
“Then I’ll leave you alone.”
I opened my eyes and saw her walk away.
I sang for another minute or two, until I ran out of breath. Then I bowed my head and lowered my hands.
The applause was deafening. It seemed like everyone in the bar was clapping. I took a deep breath and looked up into the lights again.
And it was like the whole room turned around and applauded me once more.
I couldn’t believe it.
After a few minutes, I walked off the stage and headed toward the back. I saw Ben standing there. He put his arm around my shoulder and smiled.
“You did it,” he said. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks,” I replied, smiling back.
“If we’re going to get out of here, we better hurry,” he said, walking me toward the door.
We found a table near the front of the club and ordered drinks. The bartender brought them over and Ben paid him with cash.
“How are we paying for this?” I asked.
“You can’t,” he said. “I’m doing it on account.”
I looked at him, confused.
“I know, I know,” he said, shaking his head. “This is getting weird. I can’t believe that just happened. You’re incredible. I wish I had the guts to do something like that.”
“Why?” I asked.
He shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s hard to explain.”
“Did you write the song?” I asked.
He nodded.
“Do you want to play it for me?” I asked.
Ben took a deep breath.
“Yeah, I guess I do. I haven’t played it since the last time I was in this bar. I just wrote it. I didn’t really expect it to be such a big hit. I mean, I’m not really a singer. And I’ve never done anything like that before.”
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the lyrics.
“Here,” I said. “Let me read it.”
I handed them to Ben and he began to read.
“It’s about a woman who’s lost someone she loved,” he said. “And it’s about how the people in her life try to comfort her by telling her she‘ll be okay. But she doesn’t feel okay. She feels empty. And it’s because she’s lost something she can never get back.
“But she finds hope when she sees a small bird flying in the sky. It reminds her of what she used to have, and she knows she can’t go on without it.”
“Is that the meaning?” I asked.
“Yeah, I think so,” he replied. “That’s how I see it.”
“Does it mean anything to you?” I asked.
He nodded.
“Yes,” he said. “I wrote it for someone I love. And I’d like to dedicate it to her.”
“Is she here tonight?” I asked.
“No, but I thought it would be nice to sing it for her. If you don’t mind.”
“Not at all,” I said. “You can sing it for me anytime.”
Ben took a deep breath.
“I’m not really a singer,” he said. “So I don’t know if it will sound good, but I’ll give it my best shot.”
He cleared his throat and began to sing.
It was beautiful. The music sounded just like the song I’d heard in the club. It was hauntingly sad.
When he finished, there were tears in my eyes.
“That’s amazing,” I said. “How did you do that?”
“I don’t know,” he replied. “I guess I just got lucky.”
“You’re incredible,” I said.
Ben smiled.
“Thanks.”
We sat there for a while after that. Ben ordered us another round of drinks and we chatted. We talked about the club, about the band, and about the songs he’d written. He told me how much he loved the lyrics.
“I wrote them for someone else,” he said. “And they seemed to fit the tune perfectly.”
“What are you going to do with them?” I asked.
“I’m not sure yet,” he replied. “But I’d like to do something with them. Maybe record them, or maybe play them live.”
“If you want to, we could work on some arrangements,” I said. “There’s a studio near here. I’ll introduce you to the guy who owns it. He’s a great producer.”
“Really?” he asked. “Do you think he’ll take me on?”
“He’ll love you,” I replied. “You should be able to get him to work with you.”
Ben shook his head.
“I can’t believe how many people have come up to me,” he said. “I feel like I’m famous now.”
I laughed.
“Maybe you are,” I replied. “But not the way you think.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know, Ben,” I said. “I’m not sure. But I know a lot of people saw what happened in the club. And they’ll be talking about it for a while.”
“Oh, yeah,” he said. “I guess so.”
“Just let me know if you need anything,” I said. “Anything at all. I want to help you any way I can.”
“Thanks, Kyle,” he said. “That means a lot.”
“I don’t know if you remember,” I said, “but I’ve seen you around the club before. You’re always working hard. I’m just glad I got to see you perform tonight.”
“Yeah,” he said. “Me too.”
I looked over at the door. I thought I heard the jingle of keys.
“My ride’s here,” I said. “Sorry, Ben. I need to go.”
“Okay,” he replied. “Have a good night.”
We stood up and I headed for the door.
“Hey,” Ben called out. “I forgot to ask you. What did you think of my song?”
“It was beautiful,” I replied. “And you sang it beautifully.”
“Thank you,” he said. “I really appreciate that.”
“You’re welcome,” I replied. “Now get home safe.”
“Thanks again,” he said.
“Good night.”
***
The next day, I was sitting at the club when a familiar face came into the bar.
“Kyle!” he called out.
I looked up from my drink and smiled.
“Hi, Phil,” I replied. “How are you?”
“Not bad,” he said. “I hope you had a good night last night.”
“I did,” I said. “Why?”
“I saw you sing,” he said. “You were incredible.”
“I didn’t do that,” I said. “That was Ben.”
“Ben?” he asked. “Who’s Ben?”
“He’s a new band member,” I said. “We just hired him this week.”
“Really?” he asked. “What kind of music does he play?”
“He’s a singer,” I said. “And a great one at that.”
“Wow,” Phil said. “That’s amazing. So how did you meet him?”
“He was playing in the club,” I replied. “Someone mentioned he was looking for a gig. I asked if he wanted to try out for our band and he did.”
“You hired him on the spot?” he asked.
“No,” I said. “But he impressed me. I know he’ll be great for us.”
“You’re sure?” he asked. “He doesn’t look like much.”
“Look at him now,” I said. “Do you think he looks like a guy who can’t sing?”
“Maybe not,” he said. “But he looks so young.”
“So do you,” I replied. “And I’d trust you with my life. And I’m pretty sure Ben would too.”
Phil laughed.
“I guess I wouldn’t,” he said. “I’m not quite as tough as you.”
“Not yet,” I said. “But you will be.”
“I hope so,” he said. “It’s not a good idea to let someone as young as Ben into our band.”
“There’s nothing wrong with being young,” I said. “If he’s got the talent, that’s all that matters.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Ben,” Phil said. “I hope we get to work together soon.”
“Me too,” he replied. “Thanks for coming by.”
“You’re welcome,” he said. “See you around.”
The next time I saw Ben was in the club. I was sitting at the bar when he came up and sat down beside me.
“Hey,” he said. “How are you?”
“I’m fine,” I replied. “How about you?”
“Not bad,” he said. “A little nervous, but I think I’ll be okay.”
“You’ll be great,” I said. “Just have fun with it.”
“Thanks,” he replied. “I really appreciate that.”
“I’m serious,” I said. “I know you can sing. You just need to believe in yourself.”
“I’m trying,” he said. “It’s hard though.”
“Have you ever sung in front of a crowd before?” I asked.
“No,” he said. “I’ve never done anything like this before.”
“You’re going to be great,” I said. “Trust me.”
“Okay,” he said. “I’m sure I’ll be fine. It’s just a little nerve-racking.”
“You’ll be great,” I repeated. “And remember what I said. Have fun.”
“I will,” he replied. “Good luck.”
“Thanks,” I said. “You too.”
After that, I didn’t see him again until the following week. He walked into the club and smiled.
“Hey,” he said. “What’s up?”
“Hi,” I said. “I thought you weren’t coming back.”
“Yeah,” he said. “I wasn’t sure if I should. But I decided to give it another try.”
“Good,” I said. “I’m glad you did.”
“So am I,” he said. “Are you ready for tonight?”
“I am,” I replied. “I’m pretty excited myself.”
“You’re not nervous at all?” he asked.
“Nope,” I said. “I’m way too excited to be nervous.”
“I guess that makes sense,” he said. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Yeah,” I said. “I’ll be there.”
“Hey,” he said as he left. “You’ll be great.”
I nodded to him and then turned to the bartender.
“Two more beers,” I said.
“Coming right up,” he said.
“Thanks,” I replied. “That’s going to help me relax.”
The band was set up in the center of the club. The lights were dimmed and we played our first song. Ben looked over at me when he finished singing and gave me a thumbs-up. I smiled and nodded back.
We played three songs, each one better than the last. We started off with some easy, simple rock and roll. Then we moved on to some more complex stuff. After that, we had a couple of ballads. When we were done, I stood up and stretched my legs.
“That was great,” I said. “You guys really sounded good.”
“Thanks,” Phil said. “We’re just getting warmed up though.”
“Yeah,” I said. “It’s gonna get even better.”
“I hope so,” he said. “I think it would be nice if we could find some material that fits us better.”
“There are some songs I brought along,” I said. “Maybe they’ll work for you.”
“Let’s hear them,” he said. “If you don’t mind.”
“No problem,” I said. “They’re in my bag.”
I went over to the corner where I’d set it down and opened it up. I pulled out the cassette tape and handed it to Phil.
“Here you go,” I said. “I’ve got three songs I thought might work for you.”
“Thank you,” he said. “This is great. I think we can do something with these.”
“Well, let’s hear them then,” he said.
“Okay,” I said. “Let’s start with the first one. It’s called ‘Back in Black.'”
We started playing it and we sounded pretty good. We worked out the kinks, but we were really coming together. Soon enough, we were into the chorus.
The End