Track list with Olivia's personal comments (taken from the CD booklet):
| 1.Stronger than before This song was written by the three of us in my living room. We talked about what it was like going through breast cancer, and we decided it's breast cancer or any other difficult thing, you come out stronger than before. It's a simple idea, but it can be very uplifting for someone who is feeling vulnerable and alone. |
2. When you believe This song celebrates the power of positive mental energy. Your mind is a really powerful force - you have to believe to get well. I am strongly convinced that the mind, body and spirit are connected. This song was on my computer for years, but it never quite found its place. Now I think is was meant to be part of this collection. |
| 3. Phenomenal Woman Adapted from Maya Angelou's poem of the same name, this song is a heartfelt, sensuous celebration of the experience of womanhood. When Amy Sky asked Dr. Angelou for permission to adapt the poem, the poet enthusiastically agreed, saying "We need to be proud of who we are." |
4. Under the skin In early 2005, in my almost-empty new house in Malibu, California, furnished only with a piano and a few odds and ends, Amy Sky and I sat at that piano to start writing for this CD. We wrote this song with the thought in mind of women who are feeling less because they have lost a breast to cancer. The result is a musical affirmation that says - someone who loves you, loves you for who you are inside - under the skin. |
| 5. Pass it on This song offers a very positive perspective about passing along the love we find in life. We all go through difficult times, and it's love that pulls us through. Afterwards, it's important to share your experience and pass it on in turn. That's exactly what this CD is all about. |
6. That's all i know for sure I wrote this song for my daughter. I wanted to share with her one of the most important things I learned as a cancer patient: in the face of terrifying uncertainty, the one thing I know absolutely for sure is that love is what really matters. that's what gets you through - love. |
| 7. When I needed you Benny and I have been friends ever since we were in a movie together in 1970 called Toomorrow. He wrote this song for his youg children, describing his creative vision of how people who love one another can stay forever connected in the world of imagination and dreams. |
8. Can I trust your arms At Christmas time, I asked my daughter, Chloe, to write a song with me for this project. She didn't really respond, so I thought it probably just didn't interest her. Then on Christmas morning, she handed me a CD case with paper inside, which turned out to be the lyrics to "Can I trust your arms". I wrote a melody for it, alone at the piano, and that's how we've recorded it, keeping it very simple and personal. |
| 9. Don't stop believin' (new version) When I began to think about this CD, this song is the first one that came to my mind. It has always been a favorite and is even more meaningful to me now because of my own life experiences. Many people have told me that it has helped them through rough times. This time, I have recorded it in the bossa nova style and I love it even more.. |
10. Serenity This musical interpretation touched me deeply when I heard it, and i thought it was so beautiful. I know the prayer has helped many people, and I hope this version reaches many more. |
Here are the lyrcis (which I got from a good friend Nancy Bennett from New York)
| 1. “Stronger Than Before” I’ve survived so many things, from broken hearts to shattered dreams. In every one I found an open door. I’d miss a step, I’d learn to dance Come back again with half a chance Stronger than before. There were times I couldn’t see beyond the blue inside of me A thousand miles away from shore But every moment every day With every step, I’d find my way Stronger than before I believe in miracles I believe in dreams Through the pain I’ve come to know How far the heart can reach A spark of hope in sorrows place Will shine with such amazing grace Stronger than before (Ooooh, ba ba bah… ‘s) I believe in miracles I believe in dreams Through the pain I’ve come to know How far my heart can reach A spark of hope in sorrows place Will shine with such amazing grace Stronger than before Stronger than before Stronger than before |
2. “When You Believe” When you believe Like I believe You can turn your life around And live your dreams What makes you strong What drives you on You know you’re not alone when you believe Here’s to the girl I left behind The one who thought the world would always pass her by She looks at me know With wonder in her eyes She knows how far I’ve come How hard I’ve tried When you believe Like I believe You can turn your life around And live your dreams What makes you strong What drives you on You know you’re not alone when you believe Here’s to the woman I have become The one who wants to thank you for all you’ve done You lift me high You gave me wings to fly And all I want to say is you take my breath away Ahhh….. Look at me now The wonder I can’t hide I know how far I’ve come How hard I’ve tried The way I feel inside When you believe Like I believe You can turn your life around And live your dreams What makes you strong What drives you on You know you’re not alone when you believe {repeats} You know you’re not alone When you believe |
3. "Phenomenal Woman" Pretty women wonder where my secret lies I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size But when I try to tell them They think I'm telling lies I say, It's in the reach of my arms The span of my hips The stride of my step The curl of my lips I'm a woman Phenomenally Phenomenal woman That's me I walk into a room Just as cool as you please And to a man The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees Then they swarm around me A hive of honey bees I say It's the fire in my eyes And the flash of my teeth The swing in my waist And the joy in my feet I'm a woman Phenomenally Phenomenal woman That's me Men themselves have wondered What they see in me They try so much But they can't touch My inner mystery When I try to show them They say they still can't see I say It's in the arch of my back The sun of my smile The ride of my breasts The grace of my style I'm a woman Phenomenally Phenomenal woman That's me Now you understand Just why my head's not bowed I don't shout or jump about Or have to talk real loud When you see me passing It ought to make you proud I say It's in the click of my heels The bend of my hair the palm of my hand The need of my care 'Cause I'm a woman Phenomenally Phenomenal woman That's me |
| 4. “Under the Skin” Don’t believe the mirror ‘Cause mirrors sometimes lie If you wanna see the way you look to me Look in to my eyes You are beautiful to me From without and from within You are beautiful to me Under the skin When I tell you that you’re special You don’t believe it’s true You only see what’s changed But to me you’re still the same There’s no one quite like you You are beautiful to me From without and from within You are beautiful to me Under the skin Like a morning rose Reaching for the sun From without and from within You are beautiful to me Under the skin Under the skin |
5. “Pass it On” If a stranger shows you a kindness For no reason shows you a smile Don’t hold it there in your heart very long Pass it on If you find your magical lantern And your wishes all come true When you’ve had your fill and your turn is down Pass it on Reach out and give when you’ve got something good Get a message to everyone Tell every mother and daughter and father and son To pass it on (the more you get the more you give) That’s all you gotta do (the writing’s on the wall) Pass it on (the more you know, the more you live) Like somebody passed it on to you As you walk down your road less traveled When it feels you’ve lost your way If a hand reaches down and helps you along Pass it on Reach out and give when you’ve got something good Get a message to everyone Tell every mother and daughter and father and son To pass it on (the more you get, the more you give) That’s all you gotta do (the writing’s on the wall) Pass it on (the more you know, the more you live) Like somebody passed it on to you Pass it on (the more you get, the more you give) That’s all you gotta do (the writing’s on the wall) Yeah Pass it on (the more you know, the more you live) Like somebody passed it on to you Oh if you find your light in the darkness See the good in everyone Pass it on Pass it on, pass it on Pass it on (the more you get, the more you give) That’s all you gotta do (the writing’s on the wall) Yeah Pass it on (the more you know, the more you live) Like somebody passed it on to you (repeats) |
6. “That’s All I Know For Sure” (Ha!) Yay-hey! This life is so uncertain That’s all I know for sure You spend your whole life searchin’ Thinking there’s something more And I wish that I could paint your skies the brightest blues with sun forevermore But rain could fall tomorrow That’s all I know for sure I don’t regret a moment That’s just a waste of time Tears, a part of growing I’ve had my share of mine Time has a way of healing pain We only gain from learning to endure Life has no rhyme or reason That’s all I know for sure Yay-hey… If I could give you anything To make you stronger than you are It’s that the key to every thing Is right there in your heart Right there in your heart For love is all that matters That’s all I know That’s all I know That love is all that matters That’s all I know for sure |
| 7. “When I Needed You” When you cry for me Here’s what I will do I’ll slip into your dreams at night And comfort you And when you hear my cry Do that in reverse Imagine you are flying through the universe I know the distance scares you But it’s really not far Cause I’ll be on the corner In that neighborhood of stars And when I needed you I’ll just call out loud And you’ll look up and see me standing on a cloud I’ll say ‘come closer please’ And you’ll stand on a chair And with silver wings I’ll hold you in the trembling air And when you hear me whistle Consider that a clue Another way of saying How much I’m missing you But I’m not up there yet I’ve got miles to go Miles and miles To dream of you And watch you grow And now I think I’ll practice what I will do I’m up there and I’m missing you |
8. “Can I Trust Your Arms” Sunlight fades to black and I’m still alone No one can understand why I need to do this on my own What I need I always push away I try to make you leave But you always stay I fight the falling I push against the pull of it all I’m scared of not knowing What will happen if I fall into your arms Can I trust your arms Can I trust your arms My tears would always hide When I looked into your eyes But now I know that you see beauty in my human cries The sky is turning gray today So I can be blue I’m learning love is being all I am in front of you I fight the falling I push against the pull of it all I’m scared of not knowing What will happen if I fall into your arms Can I trust your arms Can I trust your arms I’m weak today Please look away Tomorrow I’ll be strong You take my hand And hold my heart And you let me fall Sunlight fades to black and I’m still alone No one can understand why I need to do this on my own I fight the falling I push against the pull of it all I’m scared of not knowing What will happen if I fall into your arms Can I trust your arms Can I trust your arms Can I trust your arms |
9. "Don't Stop Believin'" You think the world should see things your way Love, I know you, you think good fortune's here to stay Love, I know you shined in everything you tried before Your smile can open any door But on those days when nobody wants to know you And all your smiles keep falling on stoney ground Don't stop believin', don't stop believin' Don't stop believin', you'll get by Bad days, bad days will hurry by You never chase your dreams, they find you Love, I know you, if you need love, it finds you too Love, although you sail alone and free I'll follow in your wake And pray one day my heart you'll take But on those days when nobody wants to know you And all your smiles keep falling on stoney ground Don't stop believin', don't stop believin' Don't stop believin', you'll get by Bad days, bad days will hurry by |
| 10. “Serenity” When the shadows descend again Give me the eyes to see And when the silence stills my lips Give me the words to speak Accept the things I can’t change And change the things I still can Give me the wisdom to know the difference Grant me serenity Grant me serenity And when the river is a wall of water Give me the strength to receive And when the twilight hides the horizon Give me the faith to believe Accept the things I can’t change And change the things I still can Give me the wisdom to know the difference Grant me serenity Grant me serenity Accept the things I can’t change And change the things I still can Give me the wisdom to know the difference Grant me serenity Grant me serenity And I’ll see eternity Grant me serenity |
My special thanks to Nancy for her support