“Loved Louisiana”

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Ugh, don’t you love songs about regret? It’s the worst kind of feeling, and the best kind of song – the twist of the knife, the sailed ship, the too little too late.

Right now, I’m in a season in which I’m thinking about the big picture – the whole of a life – the decisions we make today that could change the course of everything else. It’s a lot of pressure and weight – and I don’t like it, because I don’t trust myself to not royally screw everything up.

Ultimately, it pushes me to realize that I’m not in control (and thank God).

But my subconscious is still ruminating on the truth that our decisions have consequences – for better or for worse. And my creative endeavors – the elements of my personal life woven into sometimes fictional stories – are somewhat reflecting this.

Back in September, I was driving from Seattle to Denver. Somewhere near Bozeman, driving 80mph, I just kind of ran over this song. A chorus tumbled out quickly, and the rest of the drive was spent singing words and phrases and piecing them together like a jigsaw puzzle.

When I arrived in Denver, “Loved Louisiana” was finished.

As always, it feels scary to share. But I hope you like it.

[I’ve taken the track down for now. Maybe you’ll hear it again someday.]

Recorded with Calvin Locklear in Palmer Lake, Colorado.

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25 Comments

  1. Christina on November 8, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    Yay, new song!

  2. Katie @ cakes, tea and dreams on November 8, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    I do love songs about regret – they tug at my heart so poignantly. And I love this one. Thanks for sharing it with us.

  3. Whitney on November 8, 2011 at 9:53 AM

    Beautiful. I love hearing your songs.

  4. Raeanne on November 8, 2011 at 10:13 AM

    love it girl! You’re amazing – what a gift you have!! xoxoxox

  5. Val on November 8, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    Oh, hi Repeat Button! You will be utilized for this song today, thanks.

  6. Hope on November 8, 2011 at 10:54 AM

    so beautiful, annie! solo road trips are always such fertile songwriting soil!

  7. Laura May on November 8, 2011 at 11:24 AM

    Wow! Your voice is amazingly beautiful. Noelle and I love this song :-)

  8. Danielly Nobile on November 8, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    Your new song is a hit! Thank you for sharing it with us :)

  9. Lindsey on November 8, 2011 at 12:11 PM

    I love it! Life is this funny paradox where on the one hand God is absolutely sovereign and in control and hence I cannot screw things up to much but on the other hand the Creator allows me to co-create this life I live alongside Him. It can be scary and frustrating and reek with implications and consequences. Thank God that He is God otherwise I’d be a mess.

  10. Alissa on November 8, 2011 at 1:16 PM

    One of our middle school aged friends summed up a great reminder when his parents were facing some gut wrenching decisions and trying to figure out the “right” choice:
    “But, don’t we believe that God works to bring good from ALL things? So, no matter what, it’s going to turn out good.” Very freeing words from a 13 year old boy! In the same vein, I saw a quote this week that went something like: “It will all be good in the end. If it’s not good, it’s not the end.”

  11. Bree Jeffries on November 8, 2011 at 1:36 PM

    Awesome! So good!

  12. Erin on November 8, 2011 at 2:41 PM

    This is the first song of yours I’ve heard, I love it!

  13. rachieannie on November 8, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    your voice is like chocolate … appropriate for all moods and circumstances :-)

  14. Nicolas on November 8, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    Way to go, Calvin! (And Annie!) This is much better news than what I’ve been hearing recently about another SMNW 2001 grad.

  15. Sarah on November 8, 2011 at 7:24 PM

    Ah, what a pretty song – thanks for sharing!

  16. Juliette on November 8, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    I still adore it. Thanks for giving us a sneak peek. :) I hope someone famous buys this from you for lots of money.

  17. kp on November 8, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    love it!!! beautiful! thanks :)

  18. Pat Cassidy on November 8, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    Wow Annie! I love the song and you sound wondrous!

  19. Emily on November 8, 2011 at 11:17 PM

    Beautiful Annie.

    I’ve been missing you. Hearing your voice just makes me miss you all the more.

  20. Mandy on November 9, 2011 at 12:27 AM

    As per usual, this song was beautiful. Loved it. Thanks for sharing your heart so willingly.

  21. Carin on November 9, 2011 at 4:40 PM

    Loves it.
    xoxo

  22. Brian Vasey on November 9, 2011 at 10:05 PM

    Why wouldn’t all your readers love it? The song is (1) deeply felt; (2) brilliantly and serendipitously conceived (in that mysterious way that all great songs come about); and (3) executed beautifully. Here’s hoping that more will come from that creative wellspring…

  23. Dad on November 10, 2011 at 10:02 PM

    What a great song, Annie. I love how you tell stories, like a good fiction writer. It’s as if your character is telling a story that embodies something really true about you, but is embodied in a story that isn’t really yours – like Louisiana. I love listening to this one.

  24. Hilary Smith on November 13, 2011 at 7:37 AM

    Annie, this song is BEAUTIFUL. I love it so much. Thanks for sharing truth and love and heart.

  25. Amy on November 14, 2011 at 7:02 PM

    LOVE IT! As one who lived in both New Orleans and Baton Rouge and sometimes ponders what my life would be like if I still lived there or even if I moved back, this song went straight to my soul. Would play it on repeat…it is beautiful.

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