For My Sunday Song #417, we are on to another band from Paul Laine called Shugaazer. This was a much more modern sounding Paul then we are used to and you know, I quite dig it. The song this week is called “Song for Lenon” and it is on the band’s only album, 2003’s ‘Shift’. The band consists of Paul Laine on vocals, Chris Matheson on guitar, Roland Churchill on drums and Shane Demers on bass. The song was written by Paul Laine and someone named Par. I didn’t see it in the credits but it could be either Stuart or Patrick “Par”enteau as both were thanked on the album and Patrick took the photographs used in the booklet. If you know, let me know in the comments.

Paul Laine had this to say about “Song for Lenon” when he spoke to MelodicRock.com back in 2003.

“Like many others, I have always been a huge fan of John Lennon and the Beatles. I had just watched the film “Imagine” and I was very moved by his compassion for other people, as well as his love for Yoko. He had a real passion for things he felt strongly about and was not afraid to speak out about them. I was thinking to myself…I wonder what John would talk about if he was still around today…how would he see the world? How would he see his own life and the impact he had on other people? Would he still write about love and peace? I felt compelled to write a song for him expressing my own thoughts and feelings, and in a way, express some feelings that I thought he would have too, if he were still alive.”

I think that explains nicely what the song is about.

The song opens slowly, with a gentle build in the song while we listen to Lennon speaking. Paul comes in with the first verse and during that the full band kicks in. The song is a power ballad and is tender and peaceful as Lennon while the choruses are more powerful like Lennon’s impact on the world. The melodies and the layering of Paul’s vocals are so killer. You can feel the emotion he is trying to get across. Musically, a very modern rock song sound, no 80’s style this time around. The drums are powerful, the guitars are sweeping and the keys add the right amount of texture. All blended nicely together with Laine’s vocals. A very well crafted tune.

Give the song a listen and let me know what you think. Did we need another song about John Lennon? Yeah, always!! Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you all have a wonderful and Happy Sunday!

“Song for Lennon”

Love doesn’t mean a thing
If you let it go unnoticing
Come on show me love
It’s closer than you think
We could save the world together
If we learn to love

‘Cause love is a word
And words don’t mean anything to anyone
Until we say them with love
And love is a dream
More than just make believe
It’s the choice of a new generation
Love…

Life passes like a dream
In between the world you know
And the one you make up
Life…slipping through the seams
We’ve got one more chance to make it
If we take it
Love…

Love can change the whole world by tomorrow
Tell me what it’s like when we get there
If we learn to love

Written by Laine & Par