It all started for me when I was about six. I had just lost my Grandpa whom I was incredibly close to when, out of nowhere, as if a light came from the skies above, a new sound came to my ears. It was that of a folky tune mixed with some jazz with upbeat and positive lyrics to move the soul from a Grammy award winning artist. Obviously made for children, the music changed my entire life. But, it wasn’t the music that I fell in love with It was actually his son’s music. Many years later, that would continue to change my life today.

Many know singer, songwriter, Andy Grammer for his popular singles that play constantly on the radio, and so do I. Just like many, I’ve followed his career in the public eye since he’s been in it. And, just like may of his loyal fans, I have particular songs of his that speak to me more than others, some well known, some not as popular. But for me, when I decide to really get into an artist rather than just listen to their music, I tend to dig deep into who they are, their likes and dislikes; weird aspects of their personality, what they like to do socially. Yeah, I know this is getting a little stalkerish, but it’s all true. I like to try to get to know the person behind the music.

Andy, for me, is a rare breed of musician; he’s not only extremely talented, but is also one of the kindest and most thoughtful people that I’ve ever been fortunate enough to me, although briefly. Andy does charity work with numerous organizations including the Tahirih Justice Center that works with immigrant women and children, as well as the Union Rescue Mission that works to help the homeless across the country. On top of being charitable, the man is just so darn adorable! He has a smile that fills an arena that is as infectious as his tunes. Furthermore, he can beatbox and sing at the same time all the while playing an amazingly touching guitar.

Andy writes songs that are great to dance to, sing to, and memorize for long car rides. I love all of his work. I buy every song and album that comes out. I’ve seen him in concert twice, and I can say that I’ve never heard a more unique and entertaining artist. As I said, I love all his work, but I think his self titled album has a special place in my heart. It came out when I was not in a great place in my life, where I was looking for a new musician to really help me through; someone with music that had a new, fresh feel to it, and that’s what Andy brought to the table for me. He had songs that lift my head up when it drops just a little too low, lyrics that I can belt out without giving a crap about how people look at me, because they ring such truth that nothing else matter but how I feel when I sing them.

Some such songs are; “Fine By Me,” where he sings of a person knowing that with this special other person, it’s not so hard to love, “Lunatic,” which really speaks to me when it comes straight down to the lyrics, because I empathize so much with them. The chorus to this one goes, “You can do this, you can do this/You are not a lunatic/Crazy would be changing your mind/You can do this, you can do this/You are not a lunatic/Crazy would be leaving it behind.” Every time I hear this song, I can feel my self esteem boost and my demeanor change for the better. Later in the song, he talks about writing music until early in the morning, I just relate to this as I often find myself writing in general until the “early daylight.”

Another song that speaks to me is off of his EP called “Numbers” where Andy talks about the system of numbers that we assign to each other based on appearance. The chorus of this song goes, “Greater than less than equal to/We're making this way to mathematical/The value of personality seems to be dead/All walkin' around with numbered halo's on our heads.” He then goes into the second verse by saying, “Threes want fours and fours want fives/Eights think nines have much better lives/And it's a reasonable question to ask/I guess it's all how ya doing the math.” This song is perfect for anyone who has ever thought that the person they were fond of weren't looking at them, which is really everyone at one point or another. He closes off the song in a way that perfectly reflects his music as a whole to me, by creating an analogy comparing this part of relationships to focusing on the soda rather than just the can. Andy’s music seems to always have this sentiment to me, that we should all focus on what’s inside of ourselves and others, rather than just what separates us such as race, gender, social class. That is why I think I really fell in love with him. He truly cares for people, and for humanity as a whole, and writes music that really speaks to that.

The last song of his that I’ll talk about is one that is on his “Live from L.A.” album. It’s also one of many songs that he wrote for his mother after she passed. It is entitled, “The Heavy and the Slow.” In the recording of this song in particular, Andy’s voice has a quiet sense of both pain, and calmness throughout that really strikes a chord with me. Having met his mother, although very briefly, I can say that everything I’ve ever heard here of her kindness, and lovingness is beyond true. She was a beautiful soul. So, understanding that Andy wrote this, and others for her, with love in his heart and mind, helps the me and the world alike get to know her a little bit better. I won’t reference any lyrics from this song here, because I’d like you to see/hear them as a whole, as they really tell a beautiful story when it comes to the grieving process and how we all need time to get through whatever ails us.

This is my love song of sorts to one Andy Grammer. I admire your grit, and your love for all things. I take a little pride in knowing that we have some things in common, and love learning new things about you because it only makes my love for you stand stronger than ever. Give my love to Aijia. Hearing her on the podcast you two did with Raiin gave me a new love for her as well. Keep on writing music that speaks to our souls, minds, and hearts, I know it really makes my day when I hear your songs pop up on the radio. Finally, I’d just like to say thank you. Thank you for being you, but most importantly for being a driving force in my life that keeps me going. Oh, and, Allah’u’Abha my brother.