Tell Me About That Song: New York Pop-Singer/Songwriter Rachel Platten
A lot went into writing your favorite song, but how much do you really know about it? This week New York pop-singer/songwriter Rachel Platten delves into Sweden, bong shops and the joys of traveling. 
Rachel Platten will be performing Jan. 21 at Neumos with Andy Grammer
Song: "53 steps"
Album: Be Here
Release Date: April 26th, 2011
When it was written: Oct. 2010
Where it was written: Stockholm, Sweden. Half in a hotel room, half in the EPicentre studio.
Favorite line in the song: "Till I could jump with all my clothes on in the ocean, and let the water rock me in her throws"
Which part was the hardest to come up with: Coming up with the third line of the chorus, I had about 10 different possible lines that worked and rhymed, and only chose which line to go with when singing the demo for the first time (which ended up being the final).
If you could go back and change anything, what would it be: Given that it was the demo vocal that we ended up using, I really wasn't able to change anything. I recorded it twice and left Sweden, then got the finished version back two weeks later. So, there is a lot that I wish I could do over, but I do appreciate how real and raw it sounds, maybe because I couldn't tweak stuff I normally would.
Odd fact about song: I have counted 53 steps from my apartment, and it takes me 5 steps away from the tattoo parlor/bong shop next door. Lovely.
What was your inspiration for writing the song: I had a burning desire to be on tour, and up to that point, I had only really toured three weeks on, then back home. My drummer (who I almost always bring on the road with me) and I kept saying whenever it was time to go home, "Oh, we wish we were driving to the NEXT gig," and being in Sweden writing for a month made it feel like it was about to happen more consistently.
When was your favorite time performing it live: I love performing this
song. Almost every time I play it, I access that feeling of gratitude for being able to do what I do, and fire to give everything I have to the audience. Maybe my favorite time was at the Dale F. Halton Theatre in Charlotte, N.C. at the Tosco Music Party. It was my first time playing my original music to an audience of 2000+ and I got a standing ovation after
that song. It was incredible!
What is the meaning behind the song: It's about the joy of traveling, the feeling that something bigger is coming; that you are on the exact right path you are meant to be, so to enjoy the journey and believe that all you dream of will come.
Write Comment
Email to Friend
Print Article
