When Tom Petty died in 2017 it hit me like a brick. So many others followed in the 2010s and 20s. Cohen, Prince, Prine, Aretha, Chuck, Lightfoot ...
I feel blessed to have grown up during a time when the music giants of the 60s and 70s were alive and working. And I'm wondering what it will feel like when they all have gone. What are we gonna do? Listen to AI musak? Pick up a guitar, sit down at the pianio and create new music, based on what we learned from our "teachers"?
Those questions inspired "When the giants are gone". No tree stands forever, but the forest remains.
Folk Town is a place where many of us singer songwriters get together to celebrate the giants of folk, rock, country and pop. And that's where I connected with nashville songwriter, singer, producer and multi instrumentalist Dave Coleman. I'm grateful for all the work and talent he put into the production of the song! Dave also brought Irish fiddler Claire Shirey on board who plays a wonderful part on the track.
Thank you Dave and Shirley!
On a recent tour in Northern Germany I met with my friend Rico Burnecki, a great photographer from Rostock, and we had a spontanous photo session in a local record shop. I thought this photo as perfect as a cover. Danke Rico!
I hope you enjoy the song!
- Tobias
lyrics
When the giants are gone
What do we do when the giants are gone
What do we do when the giants are gone
Paul and Willie, Dylan and Young
What do we do when the giants are gone
Grab a guitar and play their song
Hit the keys, let the sound travel on
Pick up on what they did for so long
All we can do when the giants are gone
No tree stands forever
But the forest remains
As long as we don’t cease to grow
For worse or for better
Things are bound to change
And what will last noone knows
A rock hit the planet
So many years ago
The impact shook us to the bone
Like sons and like daughters
We build on what we know
From Tom and Leonard, Chuck and John
What do we do when the giants are gone
What do we do when the giants are gone
Jackson, Bruce, Mick and Keith
Elton, Stevie, Ray and Pete
Paul and Joni, Dylan and Young
What do we do when the giants are gone
What do we do when the last ones are gone
credits
released May 27, 2023
Tobias Panwitz: vocals, piano, acoustic guitar
Dave Coleman: electric guitars, drums, bass, percussion, piano
Claire Shirey: Violin
Born and raised in East Berlin songwriter Tobias Panwitz weaves his songs around journeys through various parts of the world
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