Kimberley Locke’s emotionally charged classic, ‘Feel The Love‘ has recently had a second life, with the release of the track following a polished club collaboration with producer, Cahill. Now we take the opportunity to speak with Kimberley about the song, its origins, and what it means to her.
What inspired you to write ‘Feel The Love’ after hearing Frances and Takako’s story?
After hearing Frances and Takako’s story, my heart hurt for them. I could feel the love that they had for one another and for someone who, for many years, hoped and prayed to have that kind of love; it was so sad to watch their love be disregarded and downplayed as if it didn’t matter. I remember Frances saying that Takako would be deported just before Thanksgiving, and it was at that moment that I sobbed on my couch. I knew it wasn’t right and I could not imagine what they must have been feeling after 25 years. It must have felt like a different version of death. I wanted to write this song as the anti-venom to what was happening to them and anyone else who was facing a similar scenario. I felt so convinced that love must prevail and that love is real, and in the end, you can’t keep real, true love down.
Looking back, what does this song mean to you today?
Oh wow, what a great question. Today, the meaning has evolved into so much more. This song reminds me that there’s love all around, in the least suspecting places, in every heart we come in contact with. All anyone really wants is to be loved and to be seen with love. And the rebirth of the song itself taught me something: when you make something out of pure intention, out of love, not even time can destroy it. That’s what this song is to me now. Proof. Because even when life has hardened you, there is still love in you and for you. I believe that.
Why do you think the message of ‘Feel The Love’ still connects with people more than a decade later?
Music has a way of connecting and cutting through the crap. This song does that. The lyric to this song is universal. “Put your fears aside and let your troubles go.” That’s what love feels like, and most of us are lucky enough to have felt that true love for something or someone and we’d like to have more. I think more than ever, people realize that love is truly all that matters in this world. Love for yourself and others.
The song has both an uplifting sound and an important message. How did you find that balance?
Love itself is uplifting and has a message. The story about Frances and Takako’s was enough sadness for me that day and I wanted this song to be uplifting and truly an anthem that people sing at the top of their lungs in the name of love. Love prevails, so I wanted love to have a victory song!
What do you hope new listeners take away from the song?
I want this song to remind people to love in the moment and to loveloud! Love is a gift to all of us and it must be shared.
I want people to feel that they matter. I hope the lyrics of this song and resonate with them, in away that this is the song that they come back to when they are feeling down or defeated. I hope that this is the song that they send to their friends when they need to be uplifted. I hope that they feel love when they listen.
The track is all about love and acceptance. Why is that message important to you?
I think it’s a great tragedy that anyone would try to deny another person love. Love is a basic need…to me, denying someone love is like denying someone food. And why would you, when there’s so much of it to go around?
Here’s the part people miss: the ones doing the denying are usually the ones starving for it. They’re so full of their own self-hate that they can’t stand to see love handed freely to someone else. They could use a good dose of it more than anybody. Because love is love, it doesn’t matter who it comes from. It feeds the soul of the human spirit.
How does it feel to see ‘Feel The Love’ getting a second life today?
You have no idea….It feels like books are being balanced. I actually cried when I heard the news. This song is one of my greatest accomplishments. Songwriting is not my favorite thing to do, but this just flowed out of me, from pure inspiration. It was effortless because it was coming from a place of love. I am so excited that it is getting a second life.
What do you hope fans feel when they hear the song, and is there anything else you’d like to share before we wrap up?
I hope that they feel love. I hope that they listen to this song when they need inspiration and a reminder that they matter. I hope it inspires them to love a little harder and love out loud more. I want this song to inspire empathy, kindness and understanding. Love is powerful and it’s available to everyone.
Watch the stunning music video for ‘Feel The Love’, and find out more about Cahill x Kimberley Locke online on Cahill’s officialwebsite,Instagram,TikTok,YouTube, andFacebook. Follow Kimberly Locke on her officialwebsite,Instagram,YouTube,Facebook, andTwitter.
