Song Stories with Amanda Lindsey Cook

Song Stories With Amanda Cook

“You Make Me Brave”
* The best songs are written in a moment, but take a lifetime to create.
* A massive tidal wave was coming, and instead of running from it, you were waiting for it to come and take you under and over and out.
* Songwriting is visual, and it is a partnership. “Ok, God, you show me something and I will sing the picture you show me.”
* Written out of a holy fear of the Lord, and an awareness of His goodness and faithfulness, and that He is for us.
* The bridge came later - it was the language for a response to an invitation.
* It requires bravery to be seen and known, to become intimate with someone, and let them that close.
* “You make me brave” is a prophetic statement against fear.
* The natural response for human beings is to be afraid when God wants to come close.
* He is and always has been an all-consuming fire, but it is the sin that keeps us away from Him that he consumes so that He can be close.
* It requires bravery from human beings to say yes to something we will spend the rest of our life searching out.
* “All of heaven is always shouting ’do not be afraid” - Will Matthews

“We Dance”
* Co-written with Steffany Gretzinger
* Steffany painted the picture of dancing and intimacy, and Amanda added the concept of looking into the eyes of Jesus.
* The concept is looking into the eyes of the Lord. The eyes are the window to the soul.
* It is one of the most intimate acts.

“Shepherd”
* 28 years in the making, written in 5 minutes.
* Keep the perspective of the faithfulness of the Lord in your life.
* It is a song of remembrance.
* “Oh how I love You, You have not forsaken me” a stamp on her life.

“Closer”
* Great songs are springboards that take you to the song that is in your heart to sing.
* The chorus was written out of a moment.
* “pull me a little closer” was like a whisper dare.
* Bridge - the “woahs” were a feeling that she did not have lyrics to express.