In 2004, Dennen released his first self-titled album, Brett Dennen. His second album was So Much More, which includes the singles "Ain't No Reason", "She's Mine", and "Darlin' Do Not Fear". A few songs charted as iTunes top downloads in the days following the album's release in November 2006. [1] Dennen also contributed a cover of "Private Life" to the 2006 tribute album Drink To Bones That Turn To Dust: A Toast To Oingo Boingo.
Dennen's music has been featured in several television shows, including"Roadtrip Nation" on PBS, Grey's Anatomy, the House episode "Family", The Unit episode "Freefall", and the Scrubs episode "My No Good Reason". In addition to television series, Dennen's music has also been used in national advertising campaigns for companies such as Hilton Hotels.
He has toured extensively across the U.S. with his band (including drummer Randy Schwartz), supporting such musicians as John Mayer and guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela. As of fall 2007, he is currently touring with Guster and singer-songwriters Meiko and Joshua James.
Dennen has been a part of The Mosaic Project, San Francisco Bay Area based nonprofit, since its inception. The Mosaic Project works towards a peaceful future by uniting young children of diverse backgrounds, providing them with essential skills to thrive in an increasingly diverse society, and empowering them to strive for peace. As The Mosaic Project's Resident Rock Star, Dennen created an original musical curriculum for the program, which they released as an album called Children's Songs for Peace and a Better World, in 2003. It won a Children's Music Web 2004 Award and a Parent's Choice 2004 Approved Award.
In November, 2007, Dennen was named as one of Rolling Stone Magazine's "10 Artists To Watch."
Discography
* Children's Songs for Peace and a Better World (2003)
* Brett Dennen (2004)
* So Much More (2006)
* Hope for the Hopeless (2008)
When I Go
Brett Dennen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hold this heart when I go
Sing my song when I go
Sing it loud when I go
Sing it proud when I go
Some people are learning to die and some people are yearning to fly and
Some people are learning to die and some people are yearning to fly and
But I know they'd all be yearning to fly
When my, when my, when my soul
Takes leave of this world
When I leave this flesh and these bones
Oh I swear to you that you won't have to go alone
(Chorus)
The first time my heart collided with yours
I know T felt the ocean tickle the Earth's sandy shores
But changes come and we all know that we can't, we can't stop them
But I hold these memories and I will never drop them
And I'll watch over you
I'll watch over you
Oh my care will cover you just like the moon do
I'll watch over you
I'll watch over you
Oh my care will cover you just like the moon do
Umhumm, heyah!
(Chorus)
Oh the thought of death has yet to make me afraid
'Cause I will march right off this world into the next like its a grand parade
But if you feel lonely just like you want to run and hide
Then I'll wrap my wings around you and give you strength and I won't leave your side
And I'll watch over you
I'll watch over you
Oh, my care will cover you just like the moon do
I'll watch over you
I'll watch over you
You know I'd love to get to heaven
You know I'd love to see the view
But first I think I'll stay and watch over you
Oh, I'll watch over you
I'll watch over you
Humm umm umm
Heyah!
La da da la da da da da la la la
Brett Dennen's song "When I Go" speaks of the inevitability of death and how it is something that we should not be afraid of. The chorus of the song is about leaving something behind to be remembered by. A heart is to be held, a song is to be sung, and to sing it loud and proud is to continue to live on after death. The lyrics of the song may make one think about what will happen when they pass away and what they will leave behind.
The song's verses are about the singer's experiences and relationships, highlighting the moments that he cherishes the most. It shows how even though changes come, memories should be held onto and treasured. The singer assures that even in death, he will be watching over the ones he loves and will always be with them.
One interesting fact about the song is that Brett Dennen wrote it after he performed at a memorial for a friend that passed away from leukemia. He wanted to write something that would help people cope with their loss and remind them that their loved ones always have a way of staying with them. Another fact is that the song has been popular in the UK, and even Meghan Markle, before she became a member of the royal family, said it was one of her favorites.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold this heart when I go
Keep my memory alive when I'm no longer here
Sing my song when I go
Remember my legacy and continue to share my story
Sing it loud when I go
Don't be afraid to make my voice heard even after I'm gone
Sing it proud when I go
Be proud of who I was and what I stood for
Some people are learning to die and some people are yearning to fly and
Some people are comfortable with leaving this world while others want to live life to the fullest
But I know they'd all be yearning to fly
Everyone ultimately wants to feel free and unrestrained
When my, when my, when my soul
Referring to his essence or spirit
Takes leave of this world
Passes on to the afterlife
When I leave this flesh and these bones
When my body is no longer living
Oh I swear to you that you won't have to go alone
I will always be with you, even when I'm gone
The first time my heart collided with yours
When I fell in love with you
I know T felt the ocean tickle the Earth's sandy shores
I felt a strong connection and excitement when I met you
But changes come and we all know that we can't, we can't stop them
Things will inevitably change and progress, despite our wishes
But I hold these memories and I will never drop them
I will cherish our time together and never forget it
And I'll watch over you
I will be a guardian angel for you
Oh my care will cover you just like the moon do
I will provide comfort and safety for you, like the moon provides light in the darkness
Oh the thought of death has yet to make me afraid
I am not afraid of dying
'Cause I will march right off this world into the next like its a grand parade
I will face death with bravery and joy, like it's a celebration
But if you feel lonely just like you want to run and hide
If you ever feel alone or vulnerable
Then I'll wrap my wings around you and give you strength and I won't leave your side
I will always be there to protect and support you
You know I'd love to get to heaven
I would love to go to heaven
You know I'd love to see the view
I want to experience the beauty and wonders of the afterlife
But first I think I'll stay and watch over you
My love for you is so strong that I want to remain on earth to protect you
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: BRETT DENNEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gary Turner
"When I Go"
Hold this heart when I go
sing my song when I go
sing it loud when I go
sing it proud when I go
some people are learning to die and some people are yearning to fly and
some people are learning to die and some people are yearning to fly and
some people are learning to die and some people are yearning to fly
but I know they'd all be yearning to fly
when my, when my, when my soul
takes leave of this world
when I leave this flesh and these bones
oh I swear to you that you wont have to go alone
Hold this heart when I go
sing my song when I go
sing it loud when I go
sing it proud when I go
some people are learning to die and some people are yearning to fly and
some people are learning to die and some people are yearning to fly and
some people are learning to die and some people are yearning to fly
but i know they'd all be yearning to fly
the first time my heart collided with yours
I know I felt the ocean tickle the Earth's sandy shores
but changes come and we all know that we can't, we can't stop them
but I hold these memories and I will never drop them
and I'll watch over you
I'll watch over you
oh my care will cover you just like the moon can do
I'll watch over you
I'll watch over you
oh my care will cover you just like the moon can do
Hold this heart when I go
sing my song when I go
sing it loud when I go
sing it proud when I go
some people are learning to die and some people are yearning to fly and
some people are learning to die and some people are yearning to fly and
some people are learning to die and some people are yearning to fly
but i know they'd all be yearning to fly
oh the thought of death has yet to make me afraid
'cause I will march right off this world into the next like its a grand parade
but if you feel lonely just like you want to run and hide
then I'll wrap my wings around you and give you strength and I wont leave your side
and I'll watch over you
I'll watch over you
oh, my care will cover you just like the moon'll do
I'll watch over you
I'll watch over you
you know I'd love to get to heaven
you know I'd love to see the view
but first I think I'll stay and watch over you
oh, I'll watch over you
I'll watch over you
Sandra Leiviska
One of my daughter's favorite songs. She passed away April 10th, 2014, and it was one of her favorite songs. It has now become one of mine. It comforts me at this time of sadness and loss. I love you, Becky.....<3
Dhela F
May God comforts you. I can't even imagine your pain. Hugs from Brazil.
Sandra Leiviska
***** Thank you so much! It means so much to me....you are very kind!
Sandra Leiviska
***** <3
Sandra Leiviska
Thank you Dhela. Becky loved this song, the words are beautiful and gives me comfort in the evening when I'm alone.
Love and Water
Thank you for sharing. So sorry you lost your girl. Blessings <3
Paul_Landero
This song means so much more to know that I finally got passed my depression. Looking back, this song has had a real influence. Thanks Brett ❤
Kendall Jones
Such a true and soothing song to the events in my soul right now. Thankyou Brett.
Jonathan Wonathan
Brett has some sort of undeniable innocence in his music. It's amazing. What a beautiful voice and sense of what GREAT music is...
Twentytwoideas
I saw Brett Dennen in 2009, in San Francisco, and he sounds just as good live in concert as he does on recording. You know sometimes you see someone live and they suck horribly. Not this guy. I was blown away.