"So proud of this beautiful song we made, and what a collab it was 🔥🎸🎶
I recall being on zoom while Justin played a few guitar riffs until I suddenly said “THAT ONE!!!” And we had the base of our soulful beat. I punched in the 808s, some drums and got to writing the first verse, which is inspired by a friend of mine who moved to the States from Taiwan to pursue a career in yoga. Her story was inspiring to me, and being a fellow yogi and student of the Dao, I just thought this would make for a great story.
For the chorus, Justin again came up with a solid melody humming along to the chorus. Almost immediately the words “when you feel” popped into my head on those first three notes and shortly after I completed the chorus lyrics with Justin adding a couple tweaks (no double negatives!! Haha).
For these lyrics, I wanted to create a sense of duality: when you feel everything is great, it won’t last forever so don’t cling to it, and on the flip side, when things are spinning out of control, just know that this too shall pass, so don’t stress. That is in essence the principle of the Dao as I feel and understand it, finding equanimity, finding your flow in the commotion. Know yourself, love yourself.
I bet you didn’t know that the last “woo wei” at the end of the chorus isn’t just some soothing vocal filler, it’s actually the true pronunciation of 無為, it means without effort, implying one should go with the flow (hence the title) and it is a main principle of Lao Tzu’s teachings and the Dao (literally, the path).
I hope you all enjoy this song as much as we did while making it. There are so many other little nuggets I’ll share in the future, but for now just head on over to Spotify and add this banger to your summer playlists, why don’t ya!!!
Much love ❤️"
lyrics
I gotta good friend, single woman
Living out in LA
But don't you know she flew there
Thirteen hours, solo dolo
All the way from Taipei
The transition's exhausting
She nearly lost it
Stressing the costs
She shook it off
She embracing the challenge
Celebrating small victories
Like painting the bathroom
Of her one room palace
She got a yoga mat
And a business plan
She up on tantra
That was her fitness plan
But she on her own now
It's about more than the dough now
Left a life a comfort
Cause it's time to grow now
Focused on her truth
And cooking at home now
One step at step a time
With the Dao she aligns
Emanating energy, heavenly divine,
You goin' be fine, girl
When you feel that everything
Has never been better
And when you can't believe your eyes
You best believe that it won't last forever
And when you feel that everything
Has spun out of control
Don't be afraid to let go and live in the moment
In the commotion gotta find your flow, 無為
I dunno where she be
All I know when she call I see three-two-three
Called me last winter asked me how my momma doin
Told me keep my head up, and don't forget the music, boy
It's sad because I know she don't be talking to her mother
And her bàba only ever paid attention to her brother
Ain't nobody at home telling her to follow her dreams
Zh-zh-zh-重男輕女
You know what I mean?
When you feel that everything
Has never been better
And when you can't believe your eyes
You best believe that it won't last forever
And when you feel that everything
Has spun out of control
Don't be afraid to let go and live in the moment
In the commotion gotta find your flow 無為
We ain't spoken in awhile now
Twelve weeks since she posted on the gram too
Wonder if she living with a smile now
Wondering if she's meditating in a handstand
Cause we know the time it took you to learn
Plus all the confidence you know it done brought you
Nothing can stop you, girl
But lately I feel you forgot
You always got someone to talk to, girl
When you feel that everything
Has never been better
And when you can't believe your eyes
You best believe that it won't last forever
And when you feel that everything
Has spun out of control
Don't be afraid to let go and live in the moment
In the commotion gotta find your flow 無為
credits
released May 19, 2023
Dallas Waldo: Music, Lyrics, Rapping, Production
Justin Maki: Music, Lyrics, Vocals, Guitar Production
Alex Emrich: Mixing & Mastering Engineer
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