I KNOW YOUR NAME
BEHIND THE MUSIC INTERVIEW…
“I know his name, the one that took it all away
I know his address, I’d like to drive by just to say
That in that moment, he changed everything for me
His carelessness and recklessness, changed my reality
I know his job, where he was going on that day
I know his family, how they’d all probably say,
“It sometimes happens”, but there are lies there within
And this I know, I’ll not forget who I am and where we’ve been
He can’t take away the mem’ries of everything we made
He can’t take away the laughter, the music will not fade
He can’t take away the dreams of all we did and all we are
The pain is like a shadow, but there’s beauty in the scar
I know your name, the one who gave me everything
I know your address, the one who raised me in a way
To make the best of everything and anything
To keep believing, not give up, as lofty as it seemed
I knew your job, helping others every day
I know our family, how we’d all surely say,
“How could this happen?”, but there is strength there within
And this I know, I’ll not forget who you were and where we’ve been
If you were here today you’d say, “Keep on keeping on.
Be the better person, let go of all the wrong.
Savor the moment, hold onto all you are.
It seems like forever, but I’m never all that far”
Because we still have the mem’ries of everything we made
We still have the laughter, the music will not fade
We still have the dreams of all we did and all we are
The pain is like my shadow, but there’s beauty in the scar
Forever beauty in that scar”
One year. One year without being able to call my Dad and hear his wisdom, his wit or his advice. 365 days without hearing his laugh or seeing his delight in me, for my Mom or for my children. 525,600 minutes wishing I had one more minute with him.
Because of the recklessness of another, my healthy and vibrant father was tragically killed. Instead of flying home to celebrate my son’s first birthday, my Mom’s birthday and my own birthday, we planned a memorial service for the best man I have ever known.
I wrote this song, “I Know Your Name”, in homage to him and to this experience. Many people in this world have experienced sudden grief and loss and perhaps it can bring comfort to other hurting hearts. I am specifically releasing this song today - on this first anniversary, April 5th, 2023 - in order to have a say and in order be exactly what my Dad taught us to be…
Proceeds of this song will go to the James S. Drennan Memorial Orchestra Scholarship fund where my Dad was a charter member of the orchestra and trumpet and baritone player for over 25 years.
May this song and our lives honor his incredible legacy.
Written and performed by Emily Drennan
Arranged by Emily Drennan, Rachel Fogarty, Gregory Lopez and Adrian Mann
Recorded at PowerStation Berklee NYC Studios
Produced by RoxSteady Music, LLC
Mixed and Mastered by MPK Recording and RoxSteady Music, LLC
Musicians: Rachel Fogarty; Jorge Avila; Patty Davis; William Hakim; Mairi Dorman-Phaneuf; Blair Hamrick and John Chudoba
Photography and Video Coverage: Erica Moon and Jeremy Johnstone
Cover Art Graphic Design by: Nathan Price Art and RoxSteady Music, LLC
Interview Coverage: Ty Uhles Films
Video Editing: RoxSteady Music, LLC and Michael Castro