Travelling Light

Album: Contact (2012)
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Songfacts®:

  • Singer and bassist Shingai Shoniwa's mother brought her up alone after her father died when she was 11. So when Shoniwa's mum was diagnosed with breast cancer during the making of Contact (she has since recovered), her songwriting process subconsciously brought on a cathartic outlet of emotions. This melancholic track is a case in point. "I am such a sociable person, the reality is I spend one day every two or three months on my own, and it's not until that day that I can have a good cry," Shoniwa told The Independent. "I think there were certain lyrics I was writing when I didn't know that part of the usual process was helping me deal with shock and grief. Now I can look at a few songs and say 'yeah, "Travelling Light" is about forgiveness.' It was probably my subconscious just trying to nurse me because it knows I'm not going to get time to deal with those things until a lot later on."

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