Song 18 of the 20/20 project - does it need another re-write?
Hi Folks
Here’s song 18 of the project (a little late!).
It’s one that I have rewritten a few times and now I have this “can’t see the wood for the trees” feeling!
As before - let me know if you see any improvements that could be made.
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October 1st, 2007 at 05:31 am
Andy, I love this song! I don’t see that it needs to be rewritten at all. It draws the listener into an attitude of worship and the desire to let the Heavenly Father that He is all we want! I can’t believe this is number 18 already! I’ll be praying for you as you work on the next two and as you travel to these other countries. God bless you!
October 1st, 2007 at 08:55 am
Hi Andy,
You are an inspiring friend to me. I love this one
I also got cought up in it and have listened to it a few times and cant see how it could be improved or changed. I would love to hear it with just a djembe added. just like a background heart beat reminding us how close our father really
is.
God bless and keep you safe on your journey for Him!
October 1st, 2007 at 03:02 pm
Andy,
Nice piece of music - I felt comfortable being led through it and you can imagine a whole band filling out the sound. There were 2 points that stuck with me: I’m not sure if “secret place” is what I wanted to sing, maybe special or sacred? And the first half of the chorus (up until “you are life itself, living in me”) is so nice I wanted to repeat it before going any further lol Overall, it’s very good and adaptable to different settings.
Stay blest!
October 1st, 2007 at 03:37 pm
Great song. I think it is complete as is. Bless you for being faithful to what God has placed in you.
October 3rd, 2007 at 04:24 pm
Hi Andy, felt this is a lovely ‘romantic’ (maybe not the right word) song. From the heart, a deep personal song, for all to sing.
Don’t think you need to change much, but perhaps add an orchestral bridge. Would love to hear with this with a small orchestra! Strings and woodwind definately, plus piano.
God bless
Jean
October 4th, 2007 at 01:03 am
Andy - I love this song so much! Such truth in it!
The music is beautiful and the lyrics are amazing.
You don’t need to change anything
This song is very suited to accoustic…maybe should be slowed down a bit with the lyrics being louder than music
October 4th, 2007 at 05:39 am
Great song flow beautifully. A song from a desire to have more of God and know more about Him. Keep as is.
October 4th, 2007 at 11:17 pm
Can’t see why you would change anything! It’s a great song!
October 5th, 2007 at 03:13 am
All I Want – Andy Rogers
Verse1
D A D A
Waiting in Your Presence / Resting in Your Grace
G5 G A D A
How I long to meet You / In this secret place
Chorus
Em G D
For You’re all I want You are all I need You are everything to me
Em G D
You’re my very breath You are life itself living in me
Em Gadd9 G Asus
You’re the truth the way Everything You say Speaks life to me
D
You are all I want
G D/F# Em G D/F# Em G D/F# Em A7sus A7 D
You are All You are All You are All I want
Verse 2
D A D A
Welcome just as I am / Into You’re embrace
G5 G A D A
You’re words softly spoken / Wash my soul with peace
Chorus
Em G D
For You all I want You are all I need You are everything to me
Em G D
You’re my very breath You are life itself living in me
Em Gadd9 G Asus
You’re the truth the way Everything You say Speaks life to me
D
You are all I want
G D/F# Em G D/F# Em G D/F# Em A7sus A7 D
You are All You are All You are All I want
October 20th, 2007 at 03:04 pm
Andy,
This is definitely a great “tender moment” song, one of intimacy, definitely one of truth. Yet you’ll be singing it congregationally, right? In this context I’ll have to agree with Laurance because biblically by definition we can’t be in our secret place and with a congregation, although I’ve heard lots of songs say this.
I call this kind of song a “carpet time” song. It’s not saying anything specifically about what God has said to you or addressing any specific one of His attributes, but that you find peace in the truth, life and grandeur of Who God is, and it postures the worshiper to breathe in the Holy Spirit, and simply “be”.
Now the melody line….It is very gentle, befitting the lyric. But there is a sameness in each line that isn’t very distinguishable from the last. To help bring interest, I would say that the melody in the 3rd line in the chorus needs to hop up to provide a pinnacle in energy for the chorus (in addition to how you have slightly changed the chords- the D- for interest’s sake). If you’ll notice in most songs as I have, the 3rd line usually does something interesting (ie goes to a minor or different melody, etc.) because it’s a good place to bring the pinnacle.
Lastly, I would try to think of a good, recognizable instrumental riff to start the song out on so that when the band starts, the listener will know which song you’re doing within the first 5 seconds. (Now you do D to A, and slowly.) Then I would play the riff after the chorus each time and again at the end of the song. This will help add more distinction to the song. Maybe think about finding a new chord to end the chorus on instead of D that leads into the riff.
At my first hearing, the line “You are life itself” didn’t sit well poetically. Maybe it’s just me.
Great work. There’s nothing wrong with worshiping AND honing our songwriting craft! Keep it up. I look forward to your songs!
Blessings,
Faye Smith