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2020 VISION

by Phyllis Johnson

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about

PRESENTING “2020 VISION” - a Johnson family original song inspired by and dedicated to the senior class of 2020. This has been a brutal year. Our story isn’t unique. Like so many of you, our calendars were packed with events celebrating this monumental achievement for our senior. This season usually delivers some of life’s sweetest and most cherished memories. And just like that, everything was cancelled. When May 1st hit we each found ourselves mourning the loss of many hard earned rites of passage for our senior. We felt the sting of missed milestones as they were crossed off the calendar one by one. My 18-year old son never complains. Never. But I’d catch glimpses of melancholy in his eyes. A mother knows. This tugged at my heart. As a resourceful adult, I pride myself on being able to fix things. When I realized there was just no fixing this, I did the only thing I know to do - I grabbed my guitar and started writing a song. A somber melody, chord progression and impressions of lyrics quickly found their way to my voice, fingertips and notepad. Stefan and Winston joined the creative process filling in the lyrical holes with poignant sentimental images as inspiration was ripe. Songs have a way of writing themselves when life provides ample material and sadness is palpable. While we each put on a brave face during this creative process, our swollen eyes told the story. There’s no way to write a song like this without it taking an emotional toll. But, the beauty of songwriting is experiencing the catharsis and healing that follows. Even working in the recording studio together provided a welcome distraction. “Families that play together - stay together.” This song & video were assembled in haste, but in spite of its flaws, we hope it captures the sentiment which inspired this project. Everything you hear was truly a family affair: Winston: Vox and Drums. Stefan: Lead Guitar. Phyllis: Rhythm Guitar, Organ, Bass. The video was a sentimental journey for this mother and son as as we filmed at all of Mop Top’s schools since childhood. Special thanks to all the wonderful Tech High School seniors who graciously submitted their home bound images that provided the heart and soul of this video. Our family was determined to fill this gaping hole with something of significance. Here’s what we came up with. This is our love letter to the Senior Class of 2020. Hopefully it will provide some closure, empowerment and resolve. As our way of turning this mess into something meaningful, we are offering this original song as a free download for anyone who might find some inspiration within our creation. Seniors - you haven’t been forgotten. We honor and salute everyone of you! This song was our family’s way of coping. On this quiet and reflective graduation week, we hope our story resonates with the all the seniors and families of the Class of 2020. This isn’t the graduation any of us imagined - but it’s certainly one history won’t forget. Congratulations to the resilient Class of 2020! Utilize the unique perspective you’ve been given and leave you mark on this world. We’re especially proud of our senior! Much love to you, Sonny Boy! **2020VISION **2020STRONG** Here's our music video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNTzMHMd1cg

lyrics

2020 VISION

The towers fell, then we appeared
About the time the smoke had cleared
Beneath the noise and clouds of tears
Were tiny voices few could hear
Still we made our presence known
Within the walls of home sweet home
We had no clue what life’s about
That’s the way we started out


CHORUS
Hang on, hold on tight, everything’s fine it’s gonna be alright
Hang on, dry your eyes, we’ve all been given
2020 vision (3x) 2020

We tied our shoes and off we’d walk
With backpack, books and pencil box
As soldiers fought the Longest War
We worked our way through Common Core
I guess I grew accustomed to
The blackboards, halls and numbered rooms
A dozen years, the world we knew
Seems it ended all too soon


CHORUS
Hang on, hold on tight, everything’s fine it’s gonna be airight
Hang on, open your eyes, we’ve all been given
2020 vision (3x) 2020


-Bridge-
Our wonder years all neatly spaced forever defined
Closed in by bookends firmly placed in every mind
We’re the pages between, but just wait and see, we’re all gonna shine

So here we are, we’ve turned 18
School is out we’re quarantined
Sorry kids, no remedy
We watched our story on TV
Our closing scene, it all went wrong
No last big game, no senior prom
At 8 pm we all logged on
Determined we would dance ’til dawn

Through the years we’ve grown so close
It’s you my friend I’ll miss the most
These memories we were all denied
We’ll learn to take it all in stride
We have a shared identity
The me in you, the you in me
We beat as one collective heart
We finished well, we left our mark

CHORUS
Hang on, hold on tight, everything’s fine it’s gonna be alright
Hang on, open your eyes, we’ve all been given 2020 vision (ritard)
Hang on, hold on tight, everything fine it’s gonna be alright
Hang on, focus your eyes, we’ve all been given
2020 vision (3x) 2020

credits

released May 27, 2020
Music: Phyllis Johnson
Lyrics: Stefan Johnson, Phyllis Johnson, Winston Johnson
Vox/Drums: Winston Johnson
Phyllis Johnson: Rhythm Guitar, Organ, Piano, Bass
Stefan Johnson: Lead Guitar

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Phyllis Johnson Minneapolis, Minnesota

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