THE STORY

The initial concept for Elementary came from Sherlock Holmes's classic catchphrase "elementary, my dear Watson". I'd heard it a million times, but one day it popped into my head and just hit me differently. I started thinking about the meaning of the word "elementary"- straightforward, uncomplicated. It brought to mind elementary school and the beautiful simplicity of childhood. And so the song's concept was born.

THE SONG

-Click to stream Elementary
-Click the arrow at the top right to download (hi-res or MP3)​
Hallowed be the concrete halls
Where we hung construction paper dreams upon the walls
Stained with pictures that we drew
When staying in the lines was all we ever knew
When it was….
​
  • ​This verse contains some of my favorite lyrics I've ever written. It refers to my memories of the cold concrete walls of my elementary school, adorned with students' art projects.- standing like a monument to youthful imagination and creativity
 
  • "Staying in the lines" explores the idea of being taught to color within the lines when you're a kid, and how that's a perfect metaphor for simply doing as we're told at that stage of life. You aren't old enough to make your own decisions or forge your own path yet.

CHORUS:
Elementary, elementary
It was all so simple then
Elementary, elementary
It takes me back to when
Your journey starts, your future's here
The time has come to face your fears
Elementary, elementary
My dear

  • The chorus kind of started as my own reflections on the simplicity of childhood. But as I fleshed it out, it kind of evolved into a parent talking to their child as they start school, telling them that their whole life is ahead. I'm not really sure whether it's an external dialogue or the parent's inner monologue, but I'm not sure it matters

Takes a village so they say
And every leaf on every branch along the way
To make you who you’re meant to be
And pave the road that you will one day travel free
For now it's…

  • This verse plays off of the saying "it takes a village to raise a child". Essentially the idea is that all the people who are a part of your life as you're growing up (family, friends, teachers, community members, etc.) help shape the person you become. There's also a personal touch hidden in there. My elementary school was "Branchville". Hence the lines "takes a village" and "every branch along the way"

CHORUS

With each and every passing day
The past it slips further away
And memories begin to fade
But for now don't be afraid
For now don't be afraid
For it's…
  • The bridge revisits that idea of a parent talking to their child. Again, it's sort of purposely ambiguous about how much of this is the parent's own self reflection about how quickly time flies while simultaneously encouraging their child not to worry about that and just enjoy this special time in their lives

CHORUS

LIVE ACOUSTIC VERSION

​Given the theme of the song, it only felt right to go out and shoot an acoustic video at my old elementary school, Branchville.

​ORIGINAL DEMO

The original stripped down demo

THE MAKING OF "ELEMENTARY"

A behind-the-scenes look I created Elementary with my good friend and producer Kevin Haines
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