Sometimes, a good reminder to step back and take a breath is critical. While the world can become overwhelming, and recovery can seem nearly impossible, it’s important to remember that we all possess the power to remove ourselves from a situation and simply focus on our breathing. A simple message, sure, but one that is often forgotten in moments of stress. By taking this message and fusing it with a creative melody and style of storytelling, Grace Gillespie has crafted a creative song with, “Your God’s Within,” which is sure to get stuck in your head.
The song begins with a simple piano chord followed by an enchanting harmony vocal reminiscent of Fleet Foxes. A soft tap of a cymbal, along with some softly played piano and guitar notes then join the mix as Grace Gillespie asks, “Is this what it’s all about?” We then enter the verse, which continues the simplistic instrumentation that provides a subtly mysterious background to the more prominent vocals. Gillespie addresses her words to a “graceless lady,” and then sings, “You don’t know who I am / Nothing can save me / Let me fall from your hands.” This lady whom she is singing to may have attempted to step into Gillespie’s life and save her, despite not knowing who she is or what it is that is bothering her. Following this, the song slows down as we enter the chorus which simply states, “Breathe in, breathe out / Breathe in, breathe out / That’s what it’s all about.” This chorus seems to be the lady’s attempt at getting through Gillespie’s defenses in an effort to help her.
Following a similar instrumentation, the second verse begins with a question, “Who’s got the silver?” Aside from its obvious material meaning, silver tends to symbolize something special or perhaps something worth more than what meets the eye. So, in asking this, I believe Gillespie is searching for someone to help her, even though she previously stated she is not sure she can be helped. She continues, “Riding from the east / Sun in your eyes / Blind the beauty from the beast.” This section represents, perhaps, the person who she pictures coming to save her. This person, while appearing to be good at first, is only hiding the “beast” within them. In a way, she already realizes that help will not come in the form she expects it to.
The song slows down once again for the chorus, which is similar to the previous one. However, instead of leading into another verse, it leads us into a bridge which not only changes the instrumentation up but gives the song a shock of energy. Along with the intensifying instruments, Gillespie begins singing loudly, “Let it out / Scream and let it out / Scream and let it out.” Continuing with the theory that these sections of the song represent the lady’s attempt at helping her, we can perhaps see a turning point in her efforts. Whereas all the previous efforts were calm, this one is full of energy, as if it is a final burst to get through.
Despite the efforts of the lady, it is unclear whether or not she truly helped Gillespie in the end. In the verse which follows the bridge, she sings, “And I’ll keep it in / Yes, they always win.” So, even though she might appear better, she’s really just pushing everything back inside. Because of this, she may have to face another day where it all comes out again and she requires help. At this point of the song, the physical existence of the “graceless lady” becomes questionable, as she sings, “You know your God’s within.” This could suggest that while she had been waiting for someone to come riding towards her, with the sun in their eyes, to save her, it was actually herself all along who had that power. In a final chorus, Gillespie sings, “Breath out, breathe in,” as a reminder to herself.
Taking its time to fade out, the song finally comes to an end. In only three minutes, I feel as though I’ve experienced a full story with fleshed out characters. Even if, in the end, the characters were all a part of Gillespie herself. From verse to verse, we see her thought process as well as her slow realization that she has the power to help herself. By waiting around, she is only elongating her suffering by expecting someone perfect to come solve her problems for her. This sort of creative songwriting mixed with the brilliant and mysterious instrumentation and harmonies add up to create a song which demands you re-listen to it multiple times.
