Peace of Mind

Album: Liz Longley (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about the negative voice in your head that fills you with self-doubt, and the struggle to tune that out. Playing small venues forced Liz Longley to confront this challenge. In our interview with Longley, she explained: "Unfortunately there are a lot of times when I can't quiet my mind and I'm constantly worried about what someone's face means or why they pulled out their phone. Am I boring them? It's a lot of negative self talk. So that song serves as a checkpoint for me in my set: just quiet my mind, do what I love to do and not let my self-doubt take over and take away from the joy of getting to do what I love to do. Over the years I've gotten better at it and learned to be in the moment and not listen to that negative talk."
  • Longley wrote and performed this song years before she got a record deal. By the time she signed with Sugar Hill Records in 2014, she had thoroughly road tested the song; it appeared on her self-titled debut album with the label in 2015. The album was recorded in Nashville with a group of top session players including Michael Rhodes on bass, JT Corenflos on guitar, and John Hobbs on piano.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

The Fratellis

The FratellisSongwriter Interviews

Jon Fratelli talks about the band's third album, and the five-year break leading up to it.

How The Beatles Crafted Killer Choruses

How The Beatles Crafted Killer ChorusesSong Writing

The author of Help! 100 Songwriting, Recording And Career Tips Used By The Beatles, explains how the group crafted their choruses so effectively.

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Donny Osmond

Donny OsmondSongwriter Interviews

Donny Osmond talks about his biggest hits, his Vegas show, and the fan who taught him to take "Puppy Love" seriously.

Chris Isaak

Chris IsaakSongwriter Interviews

Chris tells the story of "Wicked Game," talks milkshakes and moonpies at Sun Records, and explains why women always get their way.

Harry Shearer

Harry ShearerSongwriter Interviews

Harry is Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, Mark Shubb in The Folksmen, and Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.