One Day
Recording Artist: Lea Michele
Writers: Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance
Date Written: 2010
Albums: Legends of Oz Soundtrack (Sony - released May 6, 2014)
Audio:
 
Produced by Gustavo Borner at Igloo Music Studios, Burbank California.
Comments:
 
 
Legends of Oz
Soundtrack CD cover
Legends of Oz is a feature-length animated film directed by Dan St. Pierre and starring the voice-and-vocal talents of Lea Michele, Dan Akroyd, Martin Short, Bernadette Peters, Kelsey Grammar, Jim Belushi and Patrick Stewart.

The film wasn't well received by critics, however online reviews from members of the public were very favourable.

Bryan Adams and I wrote three songs for the film, the main one being "One Day", performed by Lea Michele, the voice of Dorothy.

I've written a few songs for films over the years -- by which I mean, I wrote a song, I submitted it, they put it in the film, end of story.  But this was different.

Bryan and I worked closely with the director, the producer and the music supervisor for more than three years. Once a month -- or sometimes once every few weeks -- we'd get a request to re-write a lyric, adjust a tempo, re-record a drum, change a key, or write another song altogether. I enjoyed the process. It was challenging -- in a very positive way -- but it could also be frustrating. Sometimes you'd ask yourself, do they really know what they want?

Regardless, it was a new experience and a great opportunity to learn. Bryan had immersed himself in a number of films over the years, but this was "a first" for me. Would I do it again? Absolutely.  It was a lot of work, but it was also a lot of fun.

I was at the studio one day when Dan Akroyd was recording dialogue (Dan provided the voice for the Scarecrow character). The director ask Dan to repeat the same line of dialogue over and over again, but with a different tone and perspective each time.  He must have done 20 or 30 takes, each of them dramatically different from the one before. Dan was really getting into it. Perspiration was dripping from his forehead. In the end, I don't know how the director decided which one to use, because they were all amazing. I felt like I'd witnessed a consummate professional at work.

I also attended a session (via Skype) when Los Angeles voice actor Randy Crenshaw helped shape some of the characters. Afterwards, Randy's voice was erased and replaced by the better-known celebrities that appear in the film, but I thought Randy's contribution was incredible. The guy's a genius. Google him. His film and television track-record is stunning (Little Mermaid, Ice Age, Shrek, Ren and Stimpy, The Simpsons, Happy Feet ... it goes on and on).  Working with Randy was another highlight for me.

If there were any disappointments, it was the lack of input during the recording of the music. I thought we'd have more creative control.  My vision for "One Day" was much slower and darker ... Beatles-meets-Pet Sounds. Instead, it became a bubbly pop song.
 
Lyrics: Sometimes - everything can change
In our lives - it's always been that way
Just pick up the pieces - and do it all alone
Learn how to fix things - and make it on your own

One day there'll be laughter
Blue skies ever after
One day it's gonna be fine

In my world - dreams have come and gone
In my life - I know i must be strong
I knew we'd get thru this - look how much we've grown
I knew we could do this - who says you can't go home?

One day there'll be laughter
Blue skies ever after
One day it's gonna be fine

I know, come tomorrow
Some way, beg or borrow
I believe, dreams really can come true - yes they do

Somehow - everything has changed
Together - we can build it up again
We'll pick up the pieces - it isn't done alone
We've been waiting to do this, to find our way back home

oh - when it all comes falling down
oh - you gotta turn it all around
Yes I will, yes I will

One day there'll be laughter
Blue skies ever after
One day it's gonna be fine

I know, come tomorrow
Some way, beg or borrow
I believe, dreams really can come true - yes they do
One day One day
One day
One day