“The Maze” by Philip Whitehead – A Song Feature

     Each element of “The Maze” carries a tenderness; yet, the song from Phillip Whitehead is a force. The single begins with an acoustic guitar and peaceful vocals painting a poetic portrait that is both direct and subject to personal interpretation. Famous speeches of Martin Luther King (“I have a dream”) and Winston Churchill (“fight them on the beaches”) are referenced. Strings and harmony add to the beauty of “The Maze,” before the song ends with vocal layering that has the feel of a powerful crescendo, despite the gentleness of the individual elements.

     Phillip Whitehead is a multi-instrumentalist in London. The credits of “The Maze” note that he provided the “vocals, guitar, bass, and programming.” The other listed musicians are Stephen McDade (violin), Judith Dallosso (cello), and Benedict McDowell (drums). Whitehead describes “The Maze” as a song about togetherness, unity, strength and freedom.

     “The Maze” by Philip Whitehead

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philipwhiteheadmusic

Website: https://www.philipwhitehead.com/

Lyrics of “The Maze” by Philip Whitehead

Like a maze, the first half is free

The second takes you farther away from me

What kind of world we'd be

If no one heard him say I have a dream

They said we'll fight them on the beach

Like it's a good thing to give each his end

Never mind what the Good Book teaches

Ignore the gospel that his creatures send

And it goes a little something

Like you wanted it to go

Till we grow a little stronger

Than you wanted us to grow

Now we know a little better

Than you wanted us to know

So we show we stick together

Through the fire, through the snow

Like a crown, I wear my regret

Turns out the truth is just a silhouette

Made of nothing yet

We trace the outline and at once it's set

See my father in my history

And in my future he's still all I see

This kind of symmetry

Is what makes all of us so hard to beat

And it goes a little something

Like you wanted it to go

Till we grow a little stronger

Than you wanted us to grow

Now we know a little better

Than you wanted us to know

So we show we stick together

Through the fire, through the snow

[Repeat]