Many years ago, I went on a solo trip to Brazil to holiday and visit my uncle who lived there at the time. The gorgeous environment and the open, joyful character of the people had a profound effect on me as did the fantastic local music that seemed to always be playing in the open air. I would stroll aimlessly for hours finding cool percussion instruments to buy while soaking up what felt like so much explosive energy all around me. One of the peak moments was my visit to Falls de Iguazu (famous for being in the film ‘The Mission’) where hundreds of waterfalls can be seen, heard and felt to your very core. It was there that “Ciao To The Beauty” was born.
Of course, seeing and feeling something so wonderous not only makes one feel alive in an exhilarating way but also emphasizes the sad fact that we aren’t taking good enough care of our world environmentally speaking. It’s plain to see that the race for the prize that so many of us are chasing is wreaking havoc on Eden-like places such as Brazil and its rain forests.
The song celebrates beauty and hints at the question ‘Why do we feel the need for an abundance of possessions and assets in order to find happiness.’? It suggests that all we could ever want is ours if we just stop to embrace what is already right in front of us. “Ciao to the Beauty” encourages the listener to recognize the destructive tendencies of a self-centered existence. The lyrics go as far as to say ‘Look up at the sky, kiss yourself goodbye’ to encourage a whole new perspective to live by.
Once home from Brazil, I recorded the song in the small studio my mom lets me keep in her basement. Without her support I could never afford to finish songs like “Ciao To The Beauty”. I am a firm believer in the collaborative spirit of music making and insist on paying for ‘real’ Toronto based musicians instead of settling for machines or music samples. Throughout the song you will hear a lush, evocative and deeply human soundscape with diverse instruments like tuba, marimba, flute, bassoon, glockenspiel and much more all radiating over an upbeat groove. The vocal harmony throughout was inspired largely by people like Brian Wilson and Todd Rundgren who have had a massive effect on what I do and how I do it.
lyrics
“CIAO TO THE BEAUTY” Song Lyrics
Mm so drink, rest for the journey
Surprise there’s light in these eyes
Take me to the prison, take me to the window
Take me to the place between your ribs
Give your heart to the castle
There’s never been a worse time
better for you and me yeah
To fly like a kite from the beach into the sea
Mm so drink, rest for the journey
Surprise there’s light in these eyes
Look up at the sky, kiss yourself goodbye
Burn like the sun and come undone,
Give wings to the champion
Mine and yours and his she is
Scrape with the people ‘til the blood turns mango
You gave me all you’ve got, I’ll return the favor
Mm so drink, rest for the journey
Surprise there’s light in these eyes
So drink ciao to the beauty, surprise there’s light
Surprise there’s light, surprise there’s light
Shotgun she wants to love you with a bullet between the eyes
You’ve always been a non-believer, sinner in the saintly eyes
Mine and yours and his she is
Scrape with the people ‘til the blood turns mango
Fly like a kite from the beach into the sea
Mm so drink, rest for the journey
Surprise there’s light in these eyes
So drink ciao to the beauty, surprise there’s light
Surprise there’s light, surprise there’s light in these eyes
credits
from Come And Get It,
track released September 30, 2022
Written and Produced by Harkness at Anonymous Studios, Toronto for WINDCHILD Records.
Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Drums: Harkness
Additional Vocals: Simon Wilcox
Additional Drums and Percussion: Rich Greenspoon, Ilios Steryannis, Lorne Grossman
Additional Guitar: Rich Pell
Acoustic Bass: Peter Pavlovsky
Tuba: Sal Fratia
Trumpet: Bob Rice
Trombone: Gord Myers
Woodwinds: Jim Bish
HARKNESS is an independent Alternative rock artist from Toronto. Colorful cascading vocal harmonies, electric guitars and a
pallet of instruments as diverse as tuba and steel drums radiate over upbeat grooves. For over a decade he has been working in his studio honing his song writing and production skills. Having written hundreds of songs he feels the time is now to share his sonic explorations....more
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