When discovering new music, I always get attached to the vibe, first - how the mix of melody and words pair and how groovy it is. Then I double back on the narrative. While I have been blissfully in love and loved for some time now, these songs still speak to me deeply and I am reminded of moments past. In this case, no different. While catching up on my release radar, my list is always like 200 tracks long, this song perked my ear up amidst the many offerings.
I’d love to know more about the song name. Did ya’ll decide it together? Did either of you have it in mind instinctively?
Folded this it into a playlist recently and followed it with Mary J. Blige’s “Rent Money” (ft. Dave East) as the message and melodic energy felt aligned. Attached in case you have’t heard it (in a while/or at all)
Gratitude! I've been trying to find a way to share Layton's response to your question, since he came to me with the song idea. Here's what he said:
Hey wow this is so cool. Such such a nice message to receive. Yeah, the title it's kind of interesting because I think traditionally when people use the word the wherewithal the referring to money like it you have enough money to do something But the reason for my Titling that is more about do you have what it takes to be like a good person? Do you have what it takes to be a good lover? Do you have what it takes to be compassionate? Do you have what it takes to be decent human being?
Do you have what it takes to be an adult? You know, can you put your stuff to the side and rise up to the occasion for this person that you love so much or this situation that needs you so that's yeah Kind of my interpretation of the title, but l will say that this this whole album I'm working on is like my first attempt at composing music like on my own obviously I wouldn't be able to do this without all the collaborators like you that I'm working with, but where was always the first composition that I actually sat down and started composing like out of the whole batch of songs that are gonna be on the album And at the time I was playing all the instruments like I laid down. I wrote the baseline. I laid it down and played the drums the keys. I was putting everything together on my own and I was kinda like wow like I kinda I have what it takes to make music on my own I have the wherewithal you know to do this or like the mental capacity to do it on my own, so l called it the wherewithal and then when I gave it to NYALLAH, you know the lyrics for the chorus came to me and then gave NYALLAH the song and I was like "hey let's write the right lyrics for this was a part like I should probably change the title or when the lyrics are finished, probably figure out it."
But I just kept moving forward and to keep it the way it was and so much of yellow couch music I would say like 90% of the songs are the decisions that l've been making around these songs l've been like instincts the first thing that comes to mine were like the first thought I just go with it Without question, maybe some things I've changed here and there but I would I would literally say like 90% of this album has been like this is the gut instinct I'm going with it don't care what anyone says. I'm gonna challenge myself and not overly criticize whatever I'm doing, I'm just gonna go for it. That's kind of the meaning behind the title.
Fabulous, Nyallah!! A bright future awaits you....
Thank you for listening and the confirmation!!
You already know. Love this track.
When discovering new music, I always get attached to the vibe, first - how the mix of melody and words pair and how groovy it is. Then I double back on the narrative. While I have been blissfully in love and loved for some time now, these songs still speak to me deeply and I am reminded of moments past. In this case, no different. While catching up on my release radar, my list is always like 200 tracks long, this song perked my ear up amidst the many offerings.
I’d love to know more about the song name. Did ya’ll decide it together? Did either of you have it in mind instinctively?
Folded this it into a playlist recently and followed it with Mary J. Blige’s “Rent Money” (ft. Dave East) as the message and melodic energy felt aligned. Attached in case you have’t heard it (in a while/or at all)
https://open.spotify.com/track/2lFIxJbGfhcAIz5tzacZdK?si=9cTTxQrgQm6p3HM0oVEb7A
Gratitude! I've been trying to find a way to share Layton's response to your question, since he came to me with the song idea. Here's what he said:
Hey wow this is so cool. Such such a nice message to receive. Yeah, the title it's kind of interesting because I think traditionally when people use the word the wherewithal the referring to money like it you have enough money to do something But the reason for my Titling that is more about do you have what it takes to be like a good person? Do you have what it takes to be a good lover? Do you have what it takes to be compassionate? Do you have what it takes to be decent human being?
Do you have what it takes to be an adult? You know, can you put your stuff to the side and rise up to the occasion for this person that you love so much or this situation that needs you so that's yeah Kind of my interpretation of the title, but l will say that this this whole album I'm working on is like my first attempt at composing music like on my own obviously I wouldn't be able to do this without all the collaborators like you that I'm working with, but where was always the first composition that I actually sat down and started composing like out of the whole batch of songs that are gonna be on the album And at the time I was playing all the instruments like I laid down. I wrote the baseline. I laid it down and played the drums the keys. I was putting everything together on my own and I was kinda like wow like I kinda I have what it takes to make music on my own I have the wherewithal you know to do this or like the mental capacity to do it on my own, so l called it the wherewithal and then when I gave it to NYALLAH, you know the lyrics for the chorus came to me and then gave NYALLAH the song and I was like "hey let's write the right lyrics for this was a part like I should probably change the title or when the lyrics are finished, probably figure out it."
But I just kept moving forward and to keep it the way it was and so much of yellow couch music I would say like 90% of the songs are the decisions that l've been making around these songs l've been like instincts the first thing that comes to mine were like the first thought I just go with it Without question, maybe some things I've changed here and there but I would I would literally say like 90% of this album has been like this is the gut instinct I'm going with it don't care what anyone says. I'm gonna challenge myself and not overly criticize whatever I'm doing, I'm just gonna go for it. That's kind of the meaning behind the title.
Mad gratitude to Layton for this thoughtful share on the artistic process!
Mad gratitude to you sib for sharing the message with Layton and back here with me. It is such a treat to read.
Happy it was helpful + received (: