Pulse artist We Are Leo recently sat down with New Release Today for an awesome behind the song story to their latest, “61/23,” playing daily on 101.7! Check it out below:

“The songwriting story is that I have no memory of writing this song. A lot of times when I get an idea for a song and I’m sitting at my piano in my living room, which is where I am now, I will start playing and singing and record a voice memo on my iPhone. We were getting ready for this album, and I was sitting in a coffeehouse reviewing all of the songs for this album. I wanted something cool and definitely Christian with a message that would encourage people. For me, if I try to write a song based on Scripture and I try to force it instead of letting it flow out of my relationship with Christ, it sounds forced instead of heartfelt.

I had songs started, and some of those didn’t feel right as I had recorded 273 voice memos over the past 3 years. It was overwhelming as I listened back through all of them. All of a sudden, I had this song. One day I sat down and changed the pre-chorus and some of the lyrics, then I recorded a demo and took it to our producer, and the song was done. It was crazy and as though this song was meant to be. I brought it to the record label, and they picked it as the lead single.

I’ve never had a song like this before. It really felt like a God-moment where He gave the song to me. The song is based on what I’ve drawn out of Psalm 23 and the journey of what it means to me that the Lord is my Shepherd and He makes me lie down in green pastures. For so much of my life, I’ve tried to be cool and make things work. I grew up with a perfectionist attitude and looked for affirmation for my accomplishments and getting praises from people. I see that in my life. As an adult and in my walk with God, in the midst of that, God’s been doing a work in me and teaching me about rest. It’s been so healing for me, and I don’t feel like I’m trying so hard anymore. I’m trusting God.”

 

Read the full interview here.