MOUNT VERNON — The purpose of New Direction’s Teen Advisory Center song ‘Not Alone’ was to make it relatable for today’s youth.
The idea for a song was brought to Lindsey Lamp, New Direction’s Teen Advisory Center advisor, after members wanted to create a music chart for one of their last projects. They sat together and discussed what music they listen to and what genre would be appropriate for the song.
Students collaborated with artists from We Amplify Voices, a non-profit organization based in Columbus.
The group decided on a rap song titled ‘Not Alone,’ touching on loneliness, anxiety, racism, hardship and mental health. The song was also relevant due to the recent COVID-19 lockdowns, which led to people quarantining in their homes for several months.
The lyrics “Skin different, politics not eye to eye the false feeling probably thinking I’m a bad guy but you don’t know me and I don’t know you,” touch on these subjects.
The song was letting listeners know that “they’re all going through something and that they’re not alone,” the advisor said.
“(They) talked about life in general and different experiences.”
The groups statements were collected and put into the song. Kenyon College provided time in the recording studio for students to record instrumental and vocals for the track.
TAC students can be heard throughout singing harmonies on top of the chorus, while slick beats are stitched throughout the track.
Lamp hopes the song can be relatable to listeners, especially Knox County youth.
“Heartbreaking, body shaking, don’t know what to do. Yeah I see your heart broken, eyes soaking.”
‘Not Alone’ is available on Spotify and Apple Music on Aug. 19 and can be found on TAC’s social media accounts.
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