Shaun Groves
Lora and Doug are friends from church. She owns a salon in our little town and he builds stuff and writes songs for people like Montgomery Gentry and George Strait.
This co-writing thing was all Lora’s idea. She’s been pestering telling Doug he and I should write together for a while now. So, when he heard Carrie Underwood was recording a Christmas album this Summer, he called me up. He knows country and I know Jesus so it made sense. (Thank you, I’ll be here all week.)
After a few hours in his bonus room with a toy keyboard and some sweet tea, we had us a Christmas song.
Last night our friend Barry let us use his home studio for a bit, and his engineering skills, to record a simple demo. We called up a friend from church, a doctor’s office administrator with a great voice and even better memory – Wendy Stevenson – to come sing on it. By the way, there are a lot of plumbers, nurses, teachers, waiters (especially waiters) and office administrators in Nashville with great voices. It’s bizarre how talented this town is.
We’d like to do a full band demo, but there’s no time. In fact, it might already be too late to get this song to Carrie Underwood’s folks. But, hey, we hear Reba’s in the studio feeling Christmassy right now too.
Here’s the tune. Thanks, Lora, Doug, Barry and Wendy. (Facebookers and RSS readers will need to go here to listen.)
Can You Believe
Words & Music by Doug Powell & Shaun GrovesVerse 1:
Snow is coming down tonight
Every porch lit up with lights
The neighborhood is dressed for Christmas day
But you don’t feel the joy some how
(Your) world is dark and upside down
Bethlehem sure feels so far away
So far awayChorus:
Can you believe
(It was) On a night like this so long ago
A star was sent to shine
When we can’t see
Peace on earth is not so out of reach
For you and me
Can you believe?Verse 2:
I know you’ve heard it all before
About the day when God was born
Baby Savior making all things new
Angels sang their songs that night
Shepherds left their flocks behind
To see the boy who came to see them through
See us throughChorus
Bridge:
When only dark surrounds you
And nothing else around you feels like Christmas eveChorus
rebecca in etx says:
BEAUTIFUL.
Jill Foley says:
It’s beautiful…the lyrics, the melody…beautiful.
Heather EV says:
Well, that’s two Christmas songs…maybe Shaun Groves could release a Christmas album?
Brad says:
Your “simple” demos sound pretty great to me!
Heather EV says:
Oh, this is the one you were writing the other day! This is beautiful! Well, you have one Christmas song! Maybe you could write a few more!
hayleydrew says:
Very beautiful. I can definitely hear Carrie Underwood singing this. I hope she does pick it up. If not, you should release it. I like the demo with your voice. 🙂
Shaun Groves says:
It’s not really my style. But thanks for the compliment. I was thinking about NASCAR and fishin’ and trying to let all my Texas leak out while I sang it ; )
Todd Cantrell says:
Shaun, this is a great song. Both with your vocals and Wendy’s. Pitch this thing hard, but don’t let it go unreleased. May God continue to bless you, and many through you and your music.
Holli says:
really, really nice. And, as a former waitress/performer – thanks for the props. 😉
Amy says:
Beautiful song–well done!
I’m curious – how does one submit a song to ‘Carrie Underwood (or anyone else’s) folks’ ? Or is that a town/trade secret 🙂 ?’
Shaun Groves says:
One most definitely needs a publisher. It’s a publisher’s job to pitch tunes to the A&R guy and/or producer.
If you don’t have that (and I don’t these days), you need to know the A&R guy or producer. Doug does.
If you don’t know the A&R guy or producer, you could crawl through the back door, if you know someone else working closely with the artist. I do.
If you don’t have any of these contacts, write a blog post and tweet it and pray the powers that be find it ; )
Prudence says:
This absolutely beautiful. I can’t picture Reba singing it, Carrie most definitely.
Beth (@sadietalk) says:
I love it! It is beautiful. Thanks for sharing the demo with us. I have listened to it over and over.
Josh says:
Nice, man!
Here’s you once chance, Fancy. Don’t let me down! 🙂
Lauren Kelly says:
BEAUTIFUL song Shaun. Can’t believe Christmas is a mere 6 months away. Crazy!!
lauri potter says:
I love this…I found myself picturing the words…in my cube singing the harmony and well…that caused a bit of a stir!! : )
Awesome what you have done here. I look forward to hearing it and knowing that God will use it and hearts will know the Hope we already do…Prayers for this! Blessings, L
Smilinsouthernbella says:
Liked this very much. Usually at Christmas time we put on a musical production at our church. My brain is alerady running around the lyrics and melody of this song… for someone that really needs to feel something besides sorrow, hurt or lonliness at Christmas time, this song I feel would really touch their heart. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
David Lindner says:
Good work! I especially like the line about the neighborhood being dressed for Christmas.
I can’t wait to hear more about this song and if she ends up using it.
Shaun Groves says:
Country lyrics are hard for me to write. They’re very conversational, straight ahead, not a lot of poetry allowed (it seems). So I was glad we found a way to be a little clever with that line. Thanks for noticing.
jeffrey says:
Sorry Shaun,
I love you and your music and this is a beautiful song, but it sounds better with Wendy’s vocals. It sounds like a song suited to a female (which is good since you want carrie underwood to sing it!) Really looking forward to some new shaun groves music!
Shaun Groves says:
Thanks for that slice of humble pie ; )
We recorded my best attempt just in case, down the line, there’s a guy who needs a Christmas song. Not my first choice either. The melody is too girly, in my opinion, for a guy to pull off convincingly.
Paula from Northern Ireland says:
She would be a fool not to use it! I think I agree Wendy’s voice sounds great – you have some very talented friends – must be in the water over there!
Shaun Groves says:
I’m sure she’ll get a lot of songs sent her way – enough good ones for many many Christmas albums.
Interestingly, the rumor today is that Carrie’s not going to do a Christmas album after all. Who knows??
jeffrey says:
Humble pie is good. If it makes you feel any better I do love your music and have driven 2 1/2 hours to see you perform before. I just think the song sounds better with a girl’s voice!
Shaun Groves says:
Totally understand. Just messin with you, jeffrey.
Kellie says:
Absolutely love this song! I do like YOU singing it because… well… it’s you.
However, when Wendy (who has an incredible voice by-the-way) sang it, I could definitely hear Carrie singing it. Sure hope she picks it up. If she’s not doing an album, FIND SOMEBODY.
Maybe a guy named Shaun.
Keturah says:
Beautiful song…reminds me to think about the meaning of Christmas in June. Thanks.
pendy says:
Beautiful…I like your demo…and look forward to hearing it recorded…whoever picks it up. It really is lovely.
Shayne says:
Dear Carrie Underwood:
Piece of advice from a fan…pick up this song and record it. You’ve been doing a lot of hard-core “he done me wrong songs” since Jesus Take The Wheel and well, doll, it’d be nice to hear you get back to your softer side. Just sayin’.
Oh, and please don’t ever re-make another Motley Crue song. Thanks ever so.
Yours,
Shayne
Nellie Dee says:
I’m so disappointed. No matter what I’ve tried, I can’t hear it. BOO!
Kat @ Inspired To Action says:
I can’t get it to play either. 🙁
Janet says:
I love this song-just saw you will be in Tampa next week and sorry I’ll be out of state.
TransitionGirl says:
i love this! love the female demo esp. she has an amazing voice! (not to say you don’t… lol). very Carrie underwood type of song. hope she picks it up.
TransitionGirl says:
oohh i can imagine this with an orchestra behind. STRINGS!! would be even more beautiful with violins!
Leeann says:
Very nice. I actually like your demo better.
Douglas says:
Wonderful.
Leah says:
Love It….amazing