Story Behind The Song

I wrote this song after the birth of my firstborn, Abigail Rose, and simply wanted to express the transformational joy she brought. The chorus simply expresses my desire to show her the beauty of the world, to try and bring her some measure of the joy and appreciation of beauty that she has brought me. It anticipates the fun and joy-filled adventure of my seeing the world through her eyes, and her through mine, as she grows up.

Song Description

The song takes as its starting line (and its lyrical theme) that classic opening line and title from the Stanley Adams lyric "What a difference a day makes". The central theme, like the classic jazz standard it alludes to, is transformation, the idea that life can completely turn around in the space of 24 hours (or less!) This seemed a good starting point for exploring and expressing my feelings on first becoming a father, and the song is primarily addressed to my daughter although its application could be far more general, referring to anyone who has made a positive change to one's life, eg. a lover. The second verse expands the lyrical conceit, using the image of a landscape transformed overnight by a nocturnal snowfall as a metaphor for the heart change that my new child brought me.

Lyrics

"What a difference a day makes"
The poet wrote in a song;
I never really knew what he meant until
The day you came along.
My head had been in a dark place
Thinking some troubled things,
But then you came with the daybreak and I flew
Upon a thousand wings.

I've travelled far, been to so many places;
You took me to my heart.
You smiled at me; the darkness left no traces.
You're such a work of art!

I want to show you the world;
It's so beautiful, beautiful.
Come walk with me through the world;
It's so beautiful, beautiful -
A little bit like you,
A little bit like you.

See how different the world looks;
It seemed to change overnight,
Just like the view after midnight snowflakes form
Their eiderdown of white.
They glimmer like precious jewels,
They cover every dark place
As pure love covers a multitude of sins -
I think they call it grace.

Sweet transformation: ground unwalked, a new yet
Familiar terrain
Just like this love that changed me in an instant
The hour that you came!

I want to show you the world;
It's so beautiful, beautiful.
Come walk with me through the world;
It's so beautiful, beautiful -
A little bit like you,
A little bit like you.
(x3)
Come walk with me through the world;
It's so beautiful, beautiful -
A little bit like you.


Gareth Paul Taylor
Copyright (c) Gentle Cutter Music 25/6/14
(rewrite 14/2/16)