We Go On: A Soundtrack for Grieving Souls
Reflections on a Beautiful Cover
Do things with the people you love
and you’ll never regret how long it takes.
2 years ago, this month, I approached Swoope about penning the soundtrack to my book We Go On: Finding Purpose in All of Life’s Sorrows and Joys. This was more than just a book. It was the tangible expression of my heart on a page.
I didn’t just want to write a book, I wanted to invite people into an experience.
The journey of grief shouldn’t be confined to the drab living quarters of black words on a white page. Our collective losses and loves deserve to be dignified by using art as a sort of resurrection.
I didn’t just want you to read what I thought. I wanted you to see what I saw on my grief journey.
I wanted you to hear what I heard.
People seldom re-read books, but they replay songs.
Over.
And over.
And over.
Swoope captured that feeling in a way no one else could. He’s a genius in the truest sense of the word. One of one.
This cover Natalie Sims crafted is incredible because it captures so much about the grief journey. Diving into grief is like stepping into getting thrown into a cold body of water. There’s no time to change into appropriate water attire. You’re dry one moment and the very next moment you find yourself waist-deep in your school clothes.
Initially jarring and emotionally taxing. Your body screams at you—GET OUT—wanting nothing more than liberation from the discomfort.
But the longer you wait, the longer you WADE, the more you begin to adjust to it.
It’s not that the water changes temperature….you do.
You adjust. You settle in. You don’t focus as much on what you’ve lost. You start to begin to reflect on what you love.
It’s the unique experience of lamenting the slowness of walking through water. Pump your feet as hard as you want, but there is no sprinting when you’re waist-deep in water.
You’re forced to move slowly.
Deliberately.
Until you get to a point where you stop moving, and stand still.
The dark clouds are no longer the focus. The hope of sunlight breaking through those clouds, kissing you on the cheek, and ultimately reminding you of the life surrounding you in that pool of grief.
This cover is special.
It captures our collective journey.
I can’t wait for y’all to take that journey with us as you listen to the masterful way Swoope guides us.
12/1/2023.
We Go On.
(Pre-save the album here)
🎵 Swoope
Produced by Swoope
🎨 Natalie Lauren Sims
Mixed by Jacob Biz Morris
Executive produced by Yours Truly
The art is stunning. I feel like I can look at it again and again and see something different each time.
When a friend is grieving, I have often told them I’m praying that soon the tears of sorrow will be outweighed by the joy of memories. Today you gave me another prayer. “You don’t focus as much on what you’ve lost. You start to begin to reflect on what you love.”
Thank you-Kim
When I left the NYC Tour, I left wanting more! You put words and music to my pain. I felt seen, heard, and understood for the first time in a long time. I have the book and look forward to adding the soundtrack. That you all for sharing toys stories and being vulnerable