One of the standout tracks from my third album, Volume Three (A Promise Kept), tells the story of a person caught between the pursuit of career success and the pull of a deep romantic connection. The protagonist chooses to focus on his ambitions, knowing that his future career success hinges on favorable reviews and public recognition. In doing so, he suppresses his feelings and delay the pursuit of love, all while remaining painfully aware that would leave his partner feeling overlooked and unappreciated.
Yet, in a quiet, selfless act of devotion, the lover remains supportive. Unbeknownst to the protagonist, she writes an anonymous glowing review that helps boost her partner’s career. One key moment in the song occurs with the introduction of a female vocal, echoing the lyrics.
The love you feel for me,
I know them well, you see…
I have the same feelings too.
This addition emphasizes that, despite the separation and distance between them, she still holds deep feelings for him.
When the protagonist eventually reads the review, he immediately recognizes the tone, the phrasing—the intimate details only someone who truly knows him could articulate. In that moment, he realizes the anonymous author is his former lover.
This realization sparks both joy and reflection. The protagonist feels seen, cherished, and supported, despite the emotional and physical distance. He expresses mutual love but acknowledges the need for both individuals to focus on their personal journeys for now. Ultimately, the song serves as a message of hope, gratitude, and longing—underscoring the belief that true love understands, supports, and remembers even the smallest details.
On Creating the Music Video
When developing the concept for this music video, I chose to immerse myself in the protagonist’s world—even though the story is entirely fictional and bears no connection to myself or anyone I know. I decided to use my own name on the fictional newspaper headlines as a way of blurring the lines between character and creator, inviting the viewer deeper into the narrative.
I envisioned the setting as a bar—a place where the protagonist spends his quiet, solitary hours after work. He wears a grey suit, suggesting he’s come straight from the office, and the color was deliberately chosen for its neutral tone, making it appropriate for both work and leisure.
One key element I wanted to include was the protagonist reading a newspaper. This serves as the pivotal moment where he discovers the glowing review, written anonymously. As he reads, he begins to recognize the style and language—familiar, intimate—and soon realizes the author is none other than his former lover.
This revelation is intended to spark a sense of joy and emotional clarity in the protagonist, captured by his delighted expression as he reads. In contrast, other scenes show him lost in thought, perhaps nostalgic, perhaps yearning—deeply moved by the selfless words that now echo through print and memory.
The video opens with a rain-soaked city at night, setting the tone of introspection and melancholy. The rainfall outside a windowpane is used as a visual metaphor for loneliness and the emotional fog of ambition.
Final Message
The protagonist’s hope is clear: to reunite with his lover once his career stabilizes. Until then, he wishes her nothing but happiness, as reflected in the lyrics:
But as for now,
I like you to somehow,
go on and live the best life that you can.
What I want to see,
is for you to be happy,
Till the day you and I meet again.
When it came to portraying the lover, I chose to dress her in a tourist-style outfit to signify that she’s on vacation—traveling for leisure and self-discovery. Her journey is a reflection of her love, not submission; she follows his advice not out of passivity, but because her feelings for him run deep and sincere. I imagined her in a setting that feels both playful and romantic—somewhere by the sea—so I gravitated toward a location evocative of coastal Europe or Southern Italy, where the atmosphere adds warmth and emotional richness to her story.
I hope you enjoyed this music video and connected with the story I’ve set out to tell. If you have any thoughts, questions, or feedback, feel free to leave a comment. Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes insights from future projects.
