Famed folk/pop husband/wife duo Jenny & Tyler return with the deeply personal “Part of Me” (available now to download/stream), inspired by their two oldest daughters, Jane and Sara. The song was written by the duo’s Jenny Somers while processing her children’s response to the events and challenges of the past year. In this TCB exclusive, Jenny and Tyler discuss how witnessing their children’s fears and anxieties inspired the song’s universal and encouraging message. The duo also discuss the intention behind the creation of the unique music video for “Part Of Me.” Finally, Jenny & Tyler share their greatest inspirations musically and spiritually.
Congratulations on the recent release of your new single titled “Part of Me”! Can you share the inspiration for the title of this track?
Jenny: My kids needed me last year like they never needed me before. When normal life shut down in March 2020, their world changed dramatically. School closed. Dance class went virtual. Our church stopped meeting. They couldn’t hug their grandparents. Their parents’ jobs disappeared. I felt their fear and anxiety. I realized the only way to get through this is together. We need each other. We are a part of each other.
What struck you about writing this piece and the personal connection with you and your daughters, Jane and Sara?
Jenny: “Part of Me” came out of a moment I had with our daughter Sara when she had to start preschool virtually. I remember her daily meltdowns when she had to go to ANOTHER Zoom class. I looked at her and cried. I thought, “You are so amazing and this is so wrong.” The pandemic has been hard on everyone, but it’s been especially hard on kids. I wrote this song for Sara and Jane (and Mary and Gabe) because I want them to know that I see them. I see their struggle. I see their fear. I see their perseverance. I am here.
What lyrics from the song do you think the world needs to hear most right now?
Jenny: Honestly, it’s the refrain: “You are a part of me and I am a part of you. We will see each other through this. I will hold your hand and never let go.” Throughout the pandemic, we have found ways to be together, even if we are not physically together. As humans, we NEED each other. We are meant to live in community for a reason. We can’t go through something like this alone. Find the people who will hold your hand and walk with you through this.
Can you take us back to the day you recorded the video? Was there a moment in the process that stood out the most to you?
Jenny: We wanted the video to show what real life was like during the pandemic. We asked friends and fans to submit clips of their lives and we sorted through our phones to find some of our favorite videos of our family. It was filmed over a period of time, but I remember watching the first edit of the video (by Caleb Chamberlain of Veritable Films) and being completely blown away by the teachers. A few teachers filmed themselves teaching virtually and at one point one of them was dancing and singing, dressed as Princess Anna, in front of her laptop. This teacher went all out to engage her students. She couldn’t be with them physically, but you could see the love she had for them and I imagine these kids could feel it.
Success can mean many things to different people and situations. Have you thought about what success awaits you for this project?
Tyler: To me, success means working hard and with joy, not taking shortcuts, but finishing when the job is done.
Jenny: And that’s why we’re trying to get this song out to as many people as possible. We could just write it and share it with our friends and family, but it’s special and we feel like it needs to be seen and heard. I want people who need to hear this message of unity and encouragement to hear it. I want families to watch the video and remember that they’re not alone.
Who, or what, are some of your biggest current inspirations, spiritually and musically?
Jenny: Sitting on my porch with a cup of coffee in the morning before the house wakes up is my favorite part of the day. People watching, bird watching, checking out my flower garden, writing. Musically, I can’t get enough of our friends Mission House.
Tyler: I’m currently inspired by Jeremiah (the Old Testament prophet), to tell it like it is, without holding back, without fearing the man. Musically, I appreciate the vulnerability and boldness of Sara Groves.
What are you most looking forward to for the rest of 2021?
Jenny: I can’t wait for my kids to go back to school and things to be a little more normal and less scary. I’m also really looking forward to taking a break from having four kids at home to work on music again.
The post office Exclusive: Jenny and Tyler Recall How Witnessing Their Kids’ Fears and Anxiety Inspired Encouraging Message Behind ‘Part Of Me’ first appeared on TCB.
Author: Jessie Clarks
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