The complex emotional tapestry that is amore served as the inspiration behind Peggy Sarlin‘s latest release Let There Be Love. The singer-songwriter – who has previously composed for the likes of Bette Midler and Patti LuPone – explores the power of the heart through beautiful lyrics and captivating melodies throughout the album.
Personal experience shapes Sarlin’s storytelling as she draws inspiration from her own life to create a collection of songs that speaks to the power of true love. Eponymous Review got a chance to ask Sarlin about her songwriting philosophies and the magic of music.
Laurie Fanelli: Congratulations on Let There Be Love! Romance, connection and heart-filled emotion are constants throughout the release. Why were you inspired to dedicate an entire album to love?
Peggy Sarlin: I never get tired of exploring love, and I hope I never will. Love is at the heart of everything I do all day, so I’m constantly finding new angles to write about.
A more direct answer is that my husband had a stroke in 2012 and my life was upended. As a result, I was forced to experience different sides of love. For instance, the song “Every Kind of Lonely” expresses the feeling of shattering separation that illness can bring.
The situation remains very difficult, but it continues to inspire me. I love to escape into romantic memories and fantasies by writing songs like “California Kiss” and “Happiest Ever After.” I’m happy when I write happy songs; in fact, most of the songs on Let There Be Love are happy.
LF: It seems that personal trauma has generated a new outlook on life for you. Do you find music to be cathartic and healing when facing obstacles big and small?
PS: Music is magic. It’s as simple and complex as that. As I’m sure your wonderful readers know, music transports you to a different realm.
I feel this power very strongly when I’m writing a song. Whatever is happening in my life, I can overcome it in some way, if I capture it in song. I noticed this power after my husband’s stroke when I would start to cry. I trained myself to think, “Why are you crying? What specifically set it off? How is this different from the last time you cried? Analyze it, because there may be a song in there.” As soon as I stepped back from the emotion to analyze it and find the seed of creative inspiration, I felt in control, instead of whiplashed by events.
LF: When writing a new song, what comes first, the music or the lyrics?
PS: I usually begin with a title that intrigues me. I start to feel energy around the title, with exciting lyrical avenues to explore. I like working on songs with strong metaphors at the center that feel fresh and unusual. For instance, once I had the title “Jasmine Perfume,” I got interested in the idea of perfume as something intimate that lovers share. The story evolved into going out dancing in a glamorous public place, but, “I’ll wear jasmine perfume for you alone.”
LF: Who were some of the musicians and producers that contributed to Let There Be Love?
PS: The album was produced by three of the best musicians in New York: Jeff Franzel, Paul Frazier and Steve Williams. These guys are fully on top of the creative and technical side of producing, and between them, they’ve worked with Frank Sinatra, David Byrne, Sade and many other wonderful artists. They’re an interesting team: Jeff plays piano and has a superb melodic sense; Paul and Steve constitute the smokin’ hot rhythm section on bass and drums. Their talents mesh seamlessly. They invited some of their favorite musicians into the recording session, so we were blessed with expert support on guitar, keyboards and backup vocals.
LF: You were once a songwriter for legendary artists such as Bette Midler and Patti LuPone. How is your writing process different when creating a composition for yourself rather than someone else?
PS: When writing for somebody else, I channel them. I hear, see and feel them, and I begin to imagine things they would say and do. I’ve also been a scriptwriter for many children’s television shows, and I use the same process when I’m dreaming up the story and dialogue for a script.
Writing for myself is different, because I’m channeling me. I’m trying to draw up from a very deep well and discover what’s in me. As I’m writing, I may begin to imagine other singers performing the song. I frequently hear Ray Charles singing and playing my song as I write it.
LF: Are there any songwriters that you would love to have write a song for you to perform or record?
PS: Laurie, that’s such a fun question! Thank you for that. Well, if Paul McCartney isn’t busy doing anything else, maybe he could write a nice song for me and produce it, too. He did a fine job of that for Peggy Lee. I’m inspired by his constant creative energy, which expresses itself beyond music. For instance, I’ve been following the release of his new album and there’s a lot of fresh thinking in the marketing of it. Dolly Parton is another classic songwriter who remains creatively focused on the present. She can write for me, too! Oh, and let’s invite Mark Ronson into the session, while we’re at it.
LF: Now that you’ve examined love through song, is there any other emotion that you would like to dedicate an album to?
PS: I’m in talks to write a musical, which would be exciting and different. In a musical, the songs must advance the story, so they tend to cover a much broader range of topics. But I also plan to release a new album next year, and I’m sure that love and all its mysteries will be explored there, too.
LF: Will you be touring in support of Let There Be Love?
PS: I extend a warm invitation to your readers to join me in New York on Saturday, October 20th, when I’m performing at The Triad. It’s a lovely theater and I’m excited to return there with my Smokin’ Hot Band. I’ll perform songs from Let There Be Love and from my first album, Friends and Family, as well as some surprises. I love to entertain an audience and to give a full-throttle show with laughs and tears and everything in between.
I also plan to perform in Los Angeles soon, and I’ll keep you up to date about that information.
LF: Is there anything else you would like to share with Eponymous Review readers?
PS: Yes, I hope you always find companionship in music, because it can help you celebrate the best times and get through the worst. And please keep following your own creative interests through all the twists and turns of life, because you never know where they’ll lead you. I’m so grateful to have music in my life now and to have the honor of sharing it with you.
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Keep up with the latest on Peggy Sarlin at www.peggysarlin.com and on Facebook and Instagram at @peggysarlin. Let There Be Love is available on iTunes and everywhere music is sold.