Several years ago a very close friend of mine had a baby. She asked me to be godparent which was a huge honour. When the time came for the christening, my friend asked me if I would sing something at the service – she didn’t mind what, she just wanted me to sing. Of course I agreed.
I started looking for something and couldn’t find what I wanted to say so I wrote something. Artistically at the time, I was amid a commercial period of writing, overly concerned with hooks and being radio friendly. When I sat down to write Isobelle’s song, I couldn’t have cared less about that, and just wrote from my heart to hers, and Shelter From The Storm was the result.
I remember wondering what she would make of it when she was old enough to understand it..
It has now been played and performed at baby naming ceremonies and christenings on every continent. Parents and god-parents have bought the sheet music and performed it themselves and it has been very popular with new Mums. I’m thrilled that so many families relate to how I felt when Isobelle was born, it’s really very humbling.
2015 update
This year saw me in the studio with a new producer, under agreement to record two new singles with this studio. We agreed to record one completely new song (The Nesting Song) and a new recording of an old song. I gave him my whole back catalogue and let him choose. Out of them all, he chose Shelter From The Storm.
I was absolutely thrilled to have the time, and expertise to give this song the love it deserved. I did get the opportunity this year to sit down with Isobelle earlier this year and listen to the original recording and watch her listen to it; this was an amazing experience now she’s old enough to understand it. I am absolutely thrilled to release this new recording of this deeply personal song that is very special to me – this is due out on 1st December 2015 as my first ever Christmas single. Please drop by the iTunes Store to have a listen. Thank you.
2 comments
Katy Whittaker
This is in fact my daughter. When ever I listen to the song it still brings me to tears. It’s beautiful!
My daughter now listens to it and understands it’s relevance. She is amazed by it and smiles from ear to ear to be ‘famous’ , ‘not everyone has a song written about them mummy!’
DiElle is a truely talented songwriter and singer and we are blessed to have her in our lives.
Lin
Watch the video clip here https://youtu.be/LF8TcXdwv7U