Monday Storytime: Magically Collide by Jamie Pennelly

I write a lot of songs. They are all based on an experience I’ve had whether it was an actual situation or just a feeling. I love that process. I’ve decided to start this thing called Monday Storytime to give me some space every Monday to share the story behind one of my songs.

The first story I want to share is how I came to write my song Magically Collide. I decided to share this one because just today, as I arrived home and got out of my car to go into my house, I caught a glimpse of the sky and the stars. They were so beautiful. In just that glimpse, a sense of peace came over me. I just got back from work and felt a bit stressed and my stress went away even for just a moment.

There have been so many instances where the sky was able to give me that feeling of healing. This song shares that experience. This specific song, “Magically Collide” was written on a day where the sky had colors I don’t see too often. It caught my attention because it was a mix of like a soft peach color on top and then it blended with some light purple, then ended with a nice darker purple. Those two colors are actually some of my favorite colors, so of course seeing it put a smile on my face. =)

Right when I had a break in between jobs, I penned “Magically Collide.” The first part of the chorus goes “Let the skies above light up. Put a show for us to see. Let us see the colors magically collide.” I went on an awesome month long road/camping trip with my husband and we stayed at a campground. One night, I woke up in the middle of the night and again caught a glimpse of the sky and was in awe. It was so clear, so blue, and filled with so many stars. I think of nature sometimes putting on a show for us.

Despite all the craziness that can go on in our world or in my life, pretty skies have the ability to bring me back to a good place. I like that.

To My Dad

He bought me my first guitar at a pawn shop
I wrote my first song it was about God
He told me I would become a rock star
He bought me my first guitar at a pawn shop

I told him I don’t want to live in his house
He gave me wings so that I can be free
I fell from the sky I lost my purity
He told me he knew that I would see

How’d you know dad
That I grew too big to live inside your house
To let me go when it was my time

How’d you know dad
That I would fall and see the truth my own way
But everything would be okay

You know that I was born to be like you
No matter what I say I am afraid of heights
No matter how hard I try I am quiet
No matter what they don’t see I have a big heart

I’ve grown to love my mom, you’ve always loved her
No matter how hard she pushed you were a rock
You saw the beauty in her since you were seventeen
You are the greatest dad I’ve ever seen

Thank you for everything
Thank you for loving me*

*These are the lyrics to my song “Dad.” If you’d like to listen click here.