2016-17 – for female voice and piano – 10:00

Music by Frank Horvat
Words by Frank Horvat & Lisa Horvat

Recording

Album: Love in 6 Stages
Buy Song: iTunes
Date: September 21, 2017
Location: THE FARM, Toronto
Musicians: Laura Swankey (vocals), Frank Horvat (piano)
Producer: Frank Horvat and Jean Martin
 

Programme Notes

I composed Bliss to be the third song on my concept album, Love in 6 Stages. Each song on this album is 10 minutes in length. And while it has a pop sensibility, my inspiration probably came from classical and ambient traditions.

In this song, our protagonist is firmly rooted in a comfortable and loving relationship. In other words, they’re happy. I chose to make the song a waltz as a traditional waltz always conveys elegance and an understated joy. I also wanted it to be quite contrasting metre-wise compared to the other songs on Love in 6 Stages. I’ll be honest and say that it’s not my favourite song on the album as I sometimes find it cheesy. But parts of it have grown on me and those who have listened to it have told me they find it sweet, so I guess that’s good enough for me :)!

– Frank Horvat

Lyrics

You gave us a chance
I felt like you do
This is bliss

Your warmth all around
With the perfect clasp
I feel bliss

When we hold us
This is bliss
When we smile at us
This is bliss

You offered me a chance
I sensed like you do
This is bliss
This is bliss

When we’re apart
I dream of you
Together

Minds wander off
Touch is sustained
We are bliss

Minds wander off
Touch is sustained
We are bliss

Bliss, bliss

When we’re apart
I dream of us
Together

When we’re distant
I yearn for us, to be
Together

We gave this a try
I felt such pure joy
This is bliss

When we hold on to us
This is bliss
Bliss
When we smile at us
This is bliss

When we’re not close…
When we’re not close…
When we’re not close…

Your warmth all around
With a perfect grasp
We feel bliss

There’s a place in thoughts
Where we don’t say words
We just gaze into each other’s souls and know
That this is real
I really feel
And I love you

You offered me a chance
I sensed like you do
What a bliss
This is bliss

When we hold us
This is bliss
When we smile at us
This is bliss

I, I love
Will this last forever?

When you hold me
Will this last forever?

I feel bliss