Michael Bolton Breaks Down New Album Spark of Light Track by Track: Exclusive

The post Michael Bolton Breaks Down New Album Spark of Light Track by Track: Exclusive appeared first on Consequence.

Track by Track is a recurring feature series in which artists guide readers through every song on their latest release. Today, Michael Bolton breaks down his latest record, Spark of Light.

Decorated recording artist Michael Bolton has returned today (July 14th) with Spark of Light, the singer’s first-ever album of fully original, co-written material. Patently joyful and brimming with optimism, Spark of Light finds Bolton mining life for instances of pure positivity.

“[It’s] about being open to that joy that you can find in everyday life,” Bolton tells Consequence about the title track. “Sometimes you have to be willing to see it, to be touched by it. It can sneak up on you and if you embrace it, that joy can really turn your world around. Then you start to see life through a different lens, a more positive outlook. And when you bring that joyful attitude to the world, it smiles right back at you.”

In his journey for sonic happiness, Bolton enlisted the help of a host of collaborators. From other artists like Nicholas Pettrica of Walk the Moon and Justin Jesso to longtime partners like Jochem Van Der Saag, the songs of Spark of Light sought to capture a sense of togetherness from their very conception.

Get Michael Bolton Tickets Here

Though he’s grown to be an icon of pop culture and comedy, the core of Bolton’s identity remains in music. With Spark of Light, the Grammy-winning artist continues his storied career, seeking out new avenues as he does so.

Listen to Michael Bolton’s Spark of Light below, followed by the artist’s Track by Track breakdown of the project.

In support of the album, Bolton has scheduled a handful of upcoming US tour dates before heading back to Europe; grab your tickets here.

“Spark of Light”:

“Spark of Light” is about being open to that joy that you can find in everyday life. Sometimes you have to be willing to see it, to be touched by it. It can sneak up on you and if you embrace it, that joy can really turn your world around. Then you start to see life through a different lens, a more positive outlook. And when you bring that joyful attitude to the world, it smiles right back at you.

I collaborated with Nicholas Pettrica from Walk the Moon, who is just such a cool guy and a really great singer. And Tushar produced the track with that groove that immediately felt so cool to all of us. That’s the thing with a collaboration: you don’t really know when you walk in a room what you’re going to come out with, but you stay open and trust the creative process and everyone contributes something unique that kind of miraculously comes together in the shape of a song. There’s definitely a little bit of magic that goes into it.

“Running Out of Ways”:

“Running Out of Ways” is probably one of the most unique songs I’ve done in terms of my vocal delivery. It feels very raw and that goes with the vulnerability that this person is feeling in trying to forget someone but not being able to. I think we’ve all been there: kind of chased by the ghost of a past love and it takes a while before you stop seeing that ghost everywhere you go and in everything you do. It’s bittersweet, too, because as much as you know you have to, there’s a part of you that just doesn’t want to move on. I absolutely love Asia Whiteacre’s supporting vocals in this song. They just echo that sweet sentiment.

“Eyes on You”:

I co-wrote “Eyes on You” with a super talented artist named Jared Lee, who is very gifted with melodies and a great singer himself. We always started our sessions with just voice and keyboard, and then with “Eyes on You,” we really built out the production with my longtime collaborator Jochem Van Der Saag, who brings all kinds of genius to his arrangements. We were hearing this song as the soundtrack for a movie. And the way the lyrics are written, it is really about a genuine love, a larger-than-life love. It could be a parent seeing their brand new baby for the first time and it just changes the way you see the whole world, or it could be that magical moment when you look at your significant other and are just swept away by an irreplaceable, deep pure love.

“Beautiful World” (feat. Justin Jesso):

“Beautiful World” is definitely one of my favorite songs I’ve written in a long time, and it’s been amazing performing it live. You don’t always know what your audience who came to hear your greatest hits of 30 years is going to think when you walk out on stage to perform a new song, but “Beautiful World” is one of those that just immediately resonates with people. I think it speaks to the sentiment of the times, where people have been pretty worn down, but find comfort in the opportunity of coming together to make something better than before, something beautiful.

Justin Jesso and I have a funny backstory. My manager had reached out to Justin to set up a writing session for us and when we got together, he reminded me that we had met many years ago in a restaurant where he was having dinner with his parents, and they all came over to say hello. This was long before Justin had his breakthrough hit with Kygo, and he said I was very encouraging to him as an artist.

That made me really happy to know I had left a positive effect. It reminded me of when I was coming up and the little cups of water extended to me by certain people along my walk through the desert. I had some unbelievable turn of events being able to meet and even sing with some of my artistic influences, like Stevie Wonder or Ray Charles. Who knew there would be a full circle for Justin and me in writing this powerful song together?

“Whatever She Wants”:

So I write songs in Los Angeles and at my home in Connecticut, but one of my favorite places to work is Nashville because there are so many incredible songwriters there. I was in Nashville on a short writing trip and got in with Anderson East and Aaron Raitiere. One of them started playing some ideas on piano and then there was a pause, and I sang out, “Whatever she wants,” and we all looked at each other and knew — that was the beginning of our song. We didn’t know yet how we were going to get to the deeper parts of the message, but we knew we had the title.

I like starting with titles. They anchor you and bring the story back to its core meaning. “Whatever She Wants” is about the many important women in my life and in the world and how they should be appreciated and celebrated more. I think about my mother especially and my three daughters. There are so many things the women in our lives do for us that mostly go unnoticed or unmentioned, and this song is me acknowledging that and wanting to give back.

“Just the Beginning”:

“Just the Beginning” is basically a love anthem. The chorus is up and feels good, and there is a simplicity and directness about the song that I really like. It’s kind of like just having a realization that the love you needed was right there in front of you. Morgan Taylor Reed is an uber-talented producer/writer and so versatile. The track he created for just the beginning, which we wrote with Zac from American Authors, is layered and modern — such a completely different vibe than the acoustic guitar-driven approach of “Running Out of Ways” that we wrote with Asia Whiteacre.

“Safe” and “Home”:

“Safe” and “Home” were both written in a pretty short period of time with Jonas Myrin, who also composes on piano. I tend to work with songwriters and producers whose primary instrument is piano because that’s similar to how my vocal melodies go. There is a desire expressed in these songs to be close, grounded, to protect those around you and be a source of protection. There’s admittedly so much craziness in the world today, but there isn’t fear here as much as the goal of finding and providing comfort.

“We Could Be Something”:

Another song I co-wrote with Jared Lee, “We Could Be Something” is about those moments in a relationship where you start to feel there could be something more, something lasting, something great. There’s a calmness and hopefulness that goes along with it. Who knows maybe it will become a wedding song! Maybe even Jared’s wedding song! We’ll see.

“Out of the Ashes”:

Of all the songs on the album, I would have to say that “Out of the Ashes” might feel the most melancholy, but it too is a song of hope. Obviously, there’s a phoenix reference, the bird rising from the ashes. It’s about rebuilding, recreating, and regenerating. The stuff that happens on this planet can get pretty dark and devastating, but the spirit always rises above.

Michael Bolton Breaks Down New Album Spark of Light Track by Track: Exclusive
Jonah Krueger

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