Why "People of Love"?

Why People of Love?

Not that long ago, actually starting this past Summer, I was really ready to throw in the towel on the political condition of our country (and the world at large). I was exasperated and exhausted by everything I heard and read about where it seemed we were heading. In short, I was hopeless about the bleak outlook I encountered at every turn. I myself was headed backwards to a time when, for my mental and spiritual health, I simply tuned politics out of my life. Then, the 2024 DNC happened...

To my surprise I ended up intently watching every night of that event. As an Independent voter, it didn't matter to me that it was a Democratic Party convention. What kept me watching was the sight and sound of a large number of people, young and old, black and white, rich and poor, healthy and infirm, Democrats and Republicans, all pulling together in a public display of positivity and hope. Over those four nights, I heard the word Joy mentioned more times than I could count, and the passion and Love in that convention center was powerful enough to raise the dead. Indeed, it did raise the part of me that was dying...hope.

The inspiration to record and release People of Love came from that experience, though interestingly the lyrics for this song were written months before the DNC. All I had was the first draft of the lyrics...no melody or chords, no arrangement. I didn't really have any idea if, when, or how I might use these lyrics. Not to mention the fact that, despite having been a lead singer specializing in pop-soul and funk for many years in a prior chapter of my musical career, most of my history and discography has for many years since been that of instrumental World Jazz. For this one, though, the Muse beckoned me to use my voice to deliver a clear and universal message.

So why People of Love now? Pretty simple. I needed to put my music where my mouth is, and speak the truth with the most powerful tool I have...my music. This is about Love vs. hate, Joy vs. sorrow, Positivity vs. negativity, Hope vs. despair, and your name is here, along with mine and everyone who wants to see Love prevail, to bring us all back around to a collective humanity in which we are all pulling together for a better world.

People of Love isn't just a song. People of Love isn't just my song. People of Love is you.

Much Love, People

Roger E.💜

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