Inspired by the One I Love

Programme Notes

I wrote Inspired by the One I Love after discovering an old notebook that contained poetry written by my now-wife, Lisa, when she was a teenager. The words immediately stood out to me as something that would work well in a musical context. This is one of many poems I used when writing for my two band albums, I Can See You and Strange Machine.

Most of Lisa’s notebook contained angsty teenage poetry, but this was the last poem in the notebook. It was what she wrote after we returned from a high school band trip to Halifax. It was on that trip that she and I fell in love. Sitting on Citadel Hill, we planned our whole life together, which, up to now, we have stayed true to.

Setting her teenage words to my music as an adult was an extremely special personal experience. It felt like climbing into a time machine and reliving those special moments all over again.

Because of the poignancy of the words, I was determined to keep the instrumental part as simple as possible. That said, subtlety was my goal in all aspects of composing this piece. When falling in love, the world continues around you, but there’s something quiet and special happening within one’s soul at the same time.

– Frank Horvat

Keyboard Parts:
Comprising a synth pad and a piano, both parts can be played by one keyboard player if they use their right hand for the synth pad and their left hand for the piano, or each part can be played by a separate keyboard player.

Lyrics

Green hills tumbling down
And the wind whistles
As the sun pours over existence

On a pier of darkness we met
On a hill of green we greet
Absorb feelings embedded deep

It can’t be so – the thump of two hearts
Yours and mine
Over and over and over

A flowing of blood
A giving of souls
A combining of two

My thoughts don’t do justice
To the flame in my heart

Eyes so deep, nose so brown
Lips a smooth red
Arms that envelope
Hearts that pound