Are You Ready Now – How I Wrote It
This song is about letting go of the past, of relationships and behaviors that don’t work, arriving on the other side of grief, and finally being willing to accept life on life’s terms.
I started writing this song a couple of years ago, after a phone call with my ex. I had gone into that mode of wondering what he thought of me, mulling over the past, our struggles, painful memories, wondering why things turned out the way they did. I was not getting stuck, but on the verge for sure. And it’s not like I’m wanting to turn back time, because I really like my life the way it is now, and am so grateful for everything God has given me. I have a great life. But the thoughts and patterns of thinking and feeling were there, so I wrote down some lyrics about it.
As the song developed, I added lyrics about defects of character that can tend to take over my life, like my obsessiveness, caretaking and over responsibility. I can obsess about people, worry about them, thinking that I am responsible for them and that it is my job to fix their lives and make them happy. I do this with one friend in particular. This leads to answering the phone when I’m too tired, it’s too late here, and then I am resentful, grumpy. This is my issue. I need to change this habit. This is my behavior pattern that doesn’t serve anyone involved, myself or the other person. I need to learn to not answer the phone when it doesn’t serve me, when it is too late, or whatever, and take care of myself. I am just as important as the other person.
I also can tend to get caught up in what others think of me, especially when it comes to my song writing, performing, books I’ve written and my teaching. I guess that is almost everything! But as my sponsor and therapist have taught me, what other people think of me is none of my business, even if it is good.
The last verse addresses my memories of the past and whether or not they are accurate. Do I cloud my memories with my feelings that still linger, as well as my feelings about myself? In the end I vow that it is indeed time to let go of the past, which includes my old behavior patterns and old negative tapes that play in my head, usually the inner critic, who is still urging me to feel bad about myself.
Here is the song again.
Are You Ready Now
Verse 1
After all this time
Visions of you cross my mind
An unkind word, cold shoulder
Sends me back
Familiar pain
Like a knife to my heart.
Prechorus 1:
So it’s the 19th song
And the 21st page
Why not they say, it just gets better with age
So I keep trying to dump my past
And make a life that’s meant to last
Chorus 1:
Are you ready now.
Are you ready now to let go.
Are you ready now.
Are you ready now to let go.
Verse 2:
So I find myself
Obsessed with you
For the 27th time
It’s what I do.
If you paint the devil on the wall
And he appears before us all.
Daring us to take the fall.
Prechorus 2:
So for the 50th time
I answer the phone
To hear you complain
When I’d rather be alone
But that would make me selfish
I am just a fly
And you’re the butterfly.
Chorus 2:
Are you ready now.
Are you ready now to let go.
Are you ready now.
Are you ready now to let go.
Bridge:
What do you think of me?
opinions on tap
When will I ever learn
My self worth
Is not determined by you.
Verse 3:
Is my memory of you
Clouded by my own
Desires?
I read between the lines of your life
Hidden secrets
pain and strife
not my battle to fight.
Prechorus 3:
I Finally put my dreams to bed
And vow to keep you out of my head.
I’ll be just fine, as long as I remember
That I too, am a butterfly.
Chorus 3:
I am ready now.
I am ready now.
I am ready now.
To let go.
Words and music by Juliet A. Wright,
Copyright, 6/20/19
All rights reserved.
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Have a great day!
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