Reach for the Sun
Reach for the Sun
by
Mike Bass
ABOUT REACH FOR THE SUN
Reach for the Sun is inspired by Rhett Mankind’s story.
Rhett is a digital artist. Much of 2023 had been difficult for him in securing sales from his art, so Rhett decided to create a project on a lark that became quite successful, at least in the short term. It’s still unknown whether it will be successful long term.
He made a YouTube video about how he created the project, and mentioned his daughter and their conversations quite a bit during the video.
Reach for the Sun is written from the perspective of Rhett speaking to his daughter. Here are some key moments from the lyrics:
“I am usually pessimistic,
but it’s funny, when you’re open, what can happen.”
Rhett mentions that he’s usually a pessimistic person, and that this project was one of the few times he opened up to friends to get their input on its direction.
“The house near your school we’ve always envisioned…
I’m holding the keys,
unlocking the door.
Yeah we’re holding the keys now,
we’ve only begun.”
Rhett mentions that he and his daughter had discussed moving closer to her school for a long time, and that this project enabled them to finally afford to move.
“And I cried when you called me a genius.
The thought you could look up to me is the reason
I wake in the morning, pick up the pieces,
keep on creating the world we’ve been dreaming…”
Rhett mentions that when the project began to show signs of success, his daughter jokingly said to him, So is this what it’s like to live with a genius? In the video he starts crying and vocalizes that the idea that she could look up to him means everything to him.
OTHER INTERESTING NOTES
The train whistle-like sound leading into the interlude is my coffee grinder! I recorded it and modified it using EQ, pitch shifting, and delay. Here’s a quick video of the process I posted on Twitter/X: https://x.com/mikebassmusic/status/1669753014918295576?s=20
I started teaching myself p5js (JavaScript) code last year in order to make art to pair with my music. The artwork for Reach for the Sun is p5js code art I made.
The project Rhett created is a crypto token called Turbo. I won’t go into detail about the project because in no way am I endorsing the project. I did purchase it around the time it was created because I thought it was cool, but I have no idea what will happen with it. Me writing Reach for the Sun is not financial advice or an advertisement for the project. I was simply inspired by Rhett’s story enough to write a song about him.
LYRICS
"Reach for the Sun”
Music and Lyrics by Michael Bass (a.k.a. Mike Bass)
Copyright ©2023. All Rights Reserved.
Baby I know, you’re looking to me,
and I know sales have dried up but I’m gonna keep trying…
I’m gonna keep trying
See I’ve got this idea you’re not gonna believe.
Almost stopped several times but like a flower I’m reaching
for the Sun, I can feel it…
I am usually pessimistic,
but it’s funny, when you’re open, what can happen.
If I just give this the momentum it’s needing,
my friends might come,
take the baton.
Yeah my friends can come,
take it and run.
And with all of the doubts I’ve felt underneath,
it’s bubbling, baby, authentically climbing
to the moon and the stars
And people are talking like birds in the Spring.
They’re sharing their stories, genuinely alive
and turbo charged.
And you know I’m usually pessimistic,
but it’s funny, when you’re open, what can happen.
The house near your school we’ve always envisioned…
I’m holding the keys,
unlocking the door.
Yeah we’re holding the keys now,
we’ve only begun.
Oooh
I am usually pessimistic,
but it’s funny, when you’re open, what can happen.
And I cried when you called me a genius.
The thought you could look up to me is the reason
I wake in the morning, pick up the pieces,
keep on creating the world we’ve been dreaming…
Open my heart,
lead with love.
Roll my sleeves up,
Reach for the Sun.
Open my heart,
lead with love.
Roll my sleeves up,
Reach for the Sun.
Mmmm Mmmm