Dan Wilson is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, and Grammy-winning songwriter. Over more than two decades, he has built a reputation as a writer of songs of uncompromising beauty and timeless artistry: a "songwriter's songwriter" whose music has nonetheless many times graced the top of the popular charts.
Here is a song I’m really proud of, “The Great Escape.” Pink and I wrote it together in a funky and cool hippie hang-out studio in Venice, CA, and every time I listen I’m blown away by her vocal performance. I produced a whole 60s country AM radio version of the track, a la Skeeter Davis, but in the end she wanted me to make it vocal/piano/orchestra. A good call in the end.
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9:45 am on 10/6/12
It bubbles away, this one, and after a few listens, it boils.
11:58 pm on 2/13/13
Lyrically this ranks among the most powerful songs i have ever heard and there is no one on the planet better suited to deliver it than Pink – the emotion she conveys brings me to tears …… And I don’t cry. I have seen the unplugged version on youtube and while I can see why more fullness was desired for production, the acoustic version with raw emotion is very John Lennon’ish who is another favorite of mine. Perhaps in another era a simpler version would have worked well. Perhaps it still could.
Did you really write this with Pink? How does an opportunity like that even present itself?
I had never heard of Pink until I saw her performance at the Grammys when she performed ‘Glitter’. That was one of the most moving experiences of my life. I have the video on my phone I find it so breath taking. Pink has been my favorite ever since. I have come to know her work well.
If you talk with Pink, and she ever needs anyone to do anything …. Even sweep the floor, I would love the opportunity – and I would love for my daughter to meet her. 12 years old, head strong, a non conforming equestrian obsessed girl who just doesn’t fit the cultural mold. Life is tough for middle school girls who don’t fit the mold. who believe in themselves vs the cultural norms defined for them to follow. I have her listen to Pink, we discuss the lyrics and song meaning, and she finds strength in knowing it is ok to be different – and to honor herself.
Ok …. ‘Nuff for a blog.
Great work you guys and one of the strongest songs on the latest CD !
robert
11:53 am on 2/20/13
I saw Pink in LA…so great! I was hoping she would sing this song. I am a counselor and I volunteer at the Trevor Project, a suicide helpline for Queer Youth…so this song definitely shook me at a personal level. I was wondering what was the inspiration/idea that developed for writing this song…if it’s not too personal to ask. Great job.
11:57 am on 2/20/13
P.S. I just looked at your writing credits…Seriously all those Dixie Chick songs…man, you write my life! Consider this an appreciative internet hug. x
x
3:32 pm on 2/24/13
This is the most beautiful song I ever heard pink perform. My life change when I heard it for the first time. It broke my heart knowing my best friend commited suicide because her parents never excepted her as a lesbian. My heart broke when I heard she died. Listening to this song made me think of what I could have done to prevent her from doing that but she’s in a better place where she’s excepted for who she is. This song is amazing. Great job to you and pink
7:39 pm on 5/9/13
Many of her songs, this album and the one prior, have followed suit with my “life”. This song, in particular, “speaks” to me on many levels. Thanks for being who you are and sharing your talents.