Amy Boersma came to LA as a singer songwriter in 1970 and during the typical string of artist development deals that for some reason, don’t quite pan out, she met and captured the interest of more than a few distinguished record producers. Among these were Jack Daugherty (the Carpenters. Paul Williams) and Rick Jarrard (Jefferson Airplane, Nillson, Jose Feliciano). However it was a randomly brief but fortuitous rehearsal encounter with a relatively unknown composer, and for the moment, piano accompanist Michael McDonald, during these early years that would lead ultimately to Amy Hollands success at radio years later, winning her a best new artist nomination at the Grammy Awards of 1980. McDonald who, years later, remembering the allure of her vocal style, would join forces with keyboardist/composer/producer, Patrick Henderson to produce her first Capitol LP from which the top 20 hit “How do I Survive,” (composed by Paul Bliss), emerged on to the charts, taking Amy Holland around the world as an American 80’s ingénue. This period of Amy’s career is documented by TV appearances in Japan and the US that can still be found on YouTube.
A second Capitol LP titled “On Your Every Word” and musical contributions to films such as “Scarface” and “Teen Wolf” (Some of those tracks produced and written by the infamous Giorgio Moroder) along with her contributions to the projects of other artist’s such as Kenny Loggins, Joni Mitchell, Tim Weisburg, Doobie Brother Patrick Simmons and McDonald’s solo projects, would mark her career path for the next few years.
During this time her music business relationship with producer McDonald had developed into something much more and with their marriage and the subsequent birth of their two children, Amy found herself embracing the role of wife and mother. discovering along the way that she had to somewhat relax her grip on her lifelong dream of being a recording artist.
After a much longer than intended hiatus due to a battle to survive breast cancer, Amy found a renewed inspiration in the making and release of “The Journey To Miracle River”. Produced by Bernie Chiaravalle, this Album is very much the autobiography of a personal sojourn she was destined to return from at this point in her life, It’s her first solo album release in over 20 years.
With songs co-written by Amy with friends Jon Vesner, John Goodwin, Michael McDonald and Bernie Chiaravalle. The album features contributions from Vince Gill, Michael McDonald, Shannon Forrest, Bernie Chiaravalle, Stuart Duncan, Tim Akers, and her son, Dylan McDonald.
Amy’s voice can be heard on Willie Nelson’s release of “Whatever Happened To Peace On Earth”. A poignant call to conscience featuring other artists such as Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Michael McDonald, and Pat Simmons with all proceeds going to benefit the National Veterans Foundation.
Backdown
Amy Holland Lyrics
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You've been giving me hope about us
You've been talking a streak about something
Now it sounds like your giving it up
You wanna back down baby again
So go and back down baby again
But if you back down baby again
I know I won't let you back on in
Sixteen years of you driving me crazy
I've been following you like a dog
You say I've been nothing but trouble
It's been going on for too long
You wanna back down baby again
So go and back down baby again
But if you back down baby again
Then I won't let you back on in
I know I won't let you back on in
Oh you don't know
Which way to go
Or if you'll be around
So, why don't you go on
Unless you're willing
To work the damn thing out
You've been lying to me about something
I've been buying it all like a fool
You're idea of the truth is so twisted
Won't be living my life by your rules
You wanna back down baby again
So go and back down baby again
But if you back down baby again
Then I won't let you back on in
I know I won't let you back on in
You wanna back down baby again
You're talkin' love down baby again
So go and back down baby again
But you're not getting back on in
Because I won't let you back on in
Oh you don't know
Which way to go
Or if you'll be around
So, why don't you go on
Unless you're willing
To work the damn thing out
Back down baby
Back down baby again
But if you back down baby again
Then I won't let you back on in
No I won't let you back on in
The lyrics of Amy Holland's song "Backdown" express the frustration and disappointment of the singer towards her partner who has been talking about their future together but is now having second thoughts. She accuses her partner of talking about nothing and giving her hope, only to back down and give up on their relationship. She has been following him for sixteen years, but he now claims that she is nothing but trouble. She is aware of his lies and twisted concept of the truth, and she is not willing to live her life by his rules anymore.
The chorus of the song is a warning to her partner that if he wants to back down again, she won't let him back in her life. She is done with the lies and the broken promises, and she wants him to work things out with her if he wants to stay in her life. The bridge of the song suggests that her partner is confused about his feelings and doesn't know which way to go. She tells him that if he's not willing to work things out, he should leave.
Overall, the lyrics of "Backdown" convey the singer's frustration and disappointment with a partner who has been talking about love and commitment but is not willing to follow through. She's tired of waiting and is ready to move on if he won't commit to their relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
You're been talking a lot about nothing
You've been speaking without conveying any meaningful message
You've been giving me hope about us
You've been leading me to believe that we have a future together
You've been talking a streak about something
You've been discussing something at length
Now it sounds like your giving it up
Now it seems like you've given up
You wanna back down baby again
You want to retract once again
So go and back down baby again
So go ahead and retract again
But if you back down baby again
But if you retract again
Then I won't let you back on in
Then I won't allow you to return
I know I won't let you back on in
I am certain that I won't allow you to return
Sixteen years of you driving me crazy
You have caused me much stress over a long period of time
I've been following you like a dog
I've been unconditionally loyal to you
You say I've been nothing but trouble
You are accusing me of being a source of problems
It's been going on for too long
This problem has persisted for too long
Oh you don't know
You are not aware
Which way to go
Which path to take
Or if you'll be around
Or if you'll still be present in my life
So, why don't you go on
So, why don't you leave
Unless you're willing
Unless you're committed
To work the damn thing out
To fix the problem
You've been lying to me about something
You've been dishonest with me about a matter
I've been buying it all like a fool
I've been accepting your lies as truth
You're idea of the truth is so twisted
Your concept of truth is distorted
Won't be living my life by your rules
I won't allow you to dictate how I live my life
You're talkin' love down baby again
You're diminishing the importance of love again
But you're not getting back on in
But you won't be allowed to return
Because I won't let you back on in
Because I am unwilling to allow you to return
Back down baby
Retract once again
But if you back down baby again
But if you retract again
No I won't let you back on in
No, I am unequivocally unwilling to allow you to return
Contributed by Blake L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.