"Grateful feat. Julian Valencia" Behind the Lyrics

Where do I begin hmm? Ok... That's right "Grateful feat. Julian Valencia"

This song is more meaningful to me than the actual record. Why? Because it is dedicated to the people I care for the most: My parents.

I always knew I wanted to write a song for my parents, but I had to make sure it was the right one.

This song was made up in reference to my favorite songs such as, ”Dear Mama” by Tupac Shakur, ”Hey Mama” by Cuban Link, ”Hey Mama” by Kanye West ,and even ”A Song For Mama” by Boys to Men

Writing a personal song especially for someone you care for is intriguing. More so because you have to decide which thoughts and memories you want to elaborate on.

Such a song requires you to think a little more, because you want your listener, who you know personally, to understand what you're saying.

So the writing process was a little bit overwhelming, as a creative you have all these ideas. You have to filter and refine your thoughts and come up with something appealing. Something your listener can relate to, and in this case, my parents.

This took some time because of the language barrier. My parents mostly speak Spanish. So I had to figure out how I can express this song in a way where they have a full understanding.

This is when Julian Valencia Comes in.

Julian in his own right is a superb singer/songwriter. I knew he would be able to bring this song to life for me. I gave him the idea and told him what I had in mind and he told me ”great come to my studio”.

I told Julian I want to make a song that I can play for them every mother's day or father's day. And with father's day approaching we decided to release the song June 17, 2018.

The song it's self is self explanatory, but what made it special is that it only took Julian 10 minutes to come up with his lyrics. 10 minutes–believe me I was there. I literally had tears fall from my eyes as he wrote and came up with melodies to what we know now as "Grateful" feat. Him

I wanted to make sure that even if my parents won't understand my versus (which I had to break down for my mom lol) I wanted the chorus, the main section of the song to be fully understandable to them. Which is why we decided to make the chorus sung in Spanish.

After finally having all the vocal stems from Julian. It took me three weeks to mix the song. I wanted to get it right since its more of a personal song intended for someone I cared for.

Upon release I played it for them, and I remember feeling really good seeing my moms reaction. It felt great knowing that they know that I remember. Vividly actually.. It was a great experience being raised in their household, and this song allowed me to show them that I do remember all those times. Times that I know my parents keep dear to their hearts.

Which is why... it is imperative to always show love to those that are still here, and especially to those who raised you. Show gratitude, be proud, and always remain Grateful.

Below I will include the lyric video I made. It's always fun having a read along, especially to this song.

Grateful is available on all streaming platforms give it a listen below

Thank you for your time, and Take a listen to "Grateful feat Julian Valencia."

Available on Tidal, Apple Music, Itunes, Deezer, Spotify–all links above

If you’d like to contact me, shoot me an email at [email protected] or contact me on Instagram @caljamonit

If you want to hear more from Julian Valencia a.k.a Viex. Here are a couple of songs he is also featured on:

Oh and I almost forgot lol.. Here's the actual lyrics.

I do i do i do i do (Yeah)

I do i do i do i do (oh)

I do i do i do i do i do i do (Mama)

Hey ma, i wrote this letter to let you know im doing better

Couple things on my mind I had to put it together

Wana let you know first hand im doin better than ever

Thanks Ma, you held my hand when i needed a helping hand

You a lender pops was the big spender but together ya raised a beautiful family and for that ill always remember

All the times, bus rides even walkin us to the park, workin double shifts, baseball then walking back in the dark

Ugh could've got robbed but god was always with us, never met a babysitter cause you was always with us

Know that, that was hard now when i see how other families get up, you make it look so easy breezy

You were the first to see me for who i really am

Im so im appreciative ma i really am

So if the day come that you pass im gonna feel it man

Damn noone gotta bond like us cause your my mother im your son this a song for us

You would cook your best meals while dad was at work, you made a home feel like home

Who wouldve known that wouldve worked want you to know you raised a king and he respectable to

You’d try to take me to church i walked right next to you

Didnt work out but you tried my true blessings with you for mothers day i always make you feel incredible too Cause you special and definitely yo that credit is due cause i love ya

Oye mama

Si te vaz

Yo ya se

Me dejaste tanto amor

De Los dias contigo

En cada momento

Estaria contigo

Oye mama

Si te vaz

Yo ya se

Me dejaste tanto amor

De Los dias contigo

En cada momento

Estaria contigo

Hey Pops, ill see you later im grateful your still around

I know its been a couple days i promise ill get around

With all thats been goin on its time that i see you now

I see you workin out ya legs getting strong hear me out

Keep doing what your doing i promise we’ll get you out

As long as your minds right nobody can stear u out

Remember the twins from high street they recently lost they dad

It was sad i cant even imagine the thoughts they had

I reminisce of my past i remember late nights we would drive up to get you

Waited outside for hours every friday night to get you

The drive alone with ma was always my time to write thats how i know im in tune with myself

My mind is right yeah my Mind is right but im thankful of you

I gotta handful of tools that i learned from ya and i plan to put use

Work hard say less that something you had to do

I get my silence from you but when im angry and frustrated i get my wilding from you (Ha)

I gotta chill i gotta Chill im just another version of you

Well anyway im on my way im Happy you doing well

You doing fine you on my mind i know that you will prevail

Papi i love you just want you know that i got your back

I know your proud of me and im so thankful for that

You are the reason i work so hard even tho i was a brat

I respect you in every way and for that ill tip my hat cause I love ya

Oye papa

Si te vaz

Yo ya se

Me dejaste tanto amor

De Los dias contigo

En cada momento

Estaria contigo

Oye mama

Si te vaz

Yo ya se

Me dejaste tanto amor

De Los dias contigo

En cada momento

Estaria contigo

Dam noone gotta bond like us cause your my mother im your son this a song for us yeah (i love ya)

Noone gotta bond like us cause your my father im your son this a song for us yeah

Noone gotta bond like us cause your my mother im your son this a song for us yeah

Noone gotta bond like us this is a song for us yeah yeah

This is a song for us yeah

Oye mama

Si te vaz

Yo ya se

Me dejaste tanto amor

De Los dias contigo

En cada momento

Estaria contigo

Oye mama

Si te vaz

Yo ya se

Me dejaste tanto amor

De Los dias contigo

En cada momento

Estaria contigo

I love ya i do i do i do i do

I do i do i do i do