On Hiatus

Thank you so much for stopping by my custom songs blog. I hope you enjoy the stories and songs posted here and I look forward to working with many of you in the near future!

I apologize that I am currently on hiatus from custom song work while serving as caregiver for a family member.

Hopefully I will be available to take commissions again before the end of the year and really appreciate your interest and patience, thank you!

Best Wishes,
Jennifer Haase

"For Everything You Do" (Custom Anniversary Song for Lisa & Ed)

   

"Ed took me on a trip to Vegas to see his mom who was living there at the time. We were meeting his mom and sister at the Venetian for dinner and he surprised me with a gondola ride. Shortly after the ride started, I heard someone say "Oh my God, he is proposing!" I quickly turned around to look for who was proposing to who on another gondola perhaps and saw Ed holding out the ring! I was completely surprised!" 

-- Lisa W. 

It's incredibly flattering when a new custom song client comes to me because they loved a song I wrote for someone they know. Lisa, a co-worker of a previous song commission client of mine, wanted to do something extra special for her husband for their 5th wedding anniversary in October 2013. 

I say this over and over and it never changes -- every custom love song I write for a couple always renews my faith in, well...in love! Lisa's story about the man she adores definitely made my lil' romantic heart go pitter-pat all over again. 

She said she wanted her surprise song for Ed to express how much she appreciates everything he does to make their marriage and life together with their two young daughters so wonderful. As always, there were details in her descriptions of Ed and their family that rose to the top and made their way into the final song. 

• Ed is the kind of guy who pays attention when his wife mentions something she loves or longs to have. She once came home to the big surprise of a beautiful Louis Vuitton handbag sitting on the dining room table because Ed knew his wife is a huge fan of Audrey Hepburn's class and style.

• One of the things Lisa admires and appreciates about her husband the most is how incredible he is with their daughters, Sophie & Ava. He instantly turned into a dad who engages in all their sweet little girl play and interests with complete joy.

• Lisa tackled her wedding planning on her own, but didn't realize until her wedding was about to begin that she had forgotten one important detail. She hadn't arranged for any church music! It was completely quiet as she walked down the aisle, other than the clicking sounds of her heels on the floor. She and Ed shared a memorable grin as she click-clacked her way to his side.

• They did, however, have a special song for their first dance at the wedding reception. That song was "The Luckiest" by Ben Folds. I knew I wanted to connect that song with this custom anniversary song by making part of this song's theme about how even luckier Lisa feels now to be married to the man of her dreams.

• Ed's love for photography and sweets ended up in his special song, too. Saying that he is the lens to their beautiful life seemed like a fitting tribute to his role as family photographer. Ed's unending passion for an iconic frozen custard stand in St. Louis, called "Ted Drewes" just had to get a wink-wink mention for a giggle between them for years to come. 

Thanks for taking a listen to Lisa and Ed's custom anniversary song, with lyrics below! It was another heartwarming, sentimental journey for me to write this love song about their incredibly loving love story. 

For Everything You Do

(A Custom Anniversary Song for Lisa & Ed)

Words & Music by Jennifer Haase ©2013

Remember how quiet the church was that day?

You grinned as I clicked down the aisle

Yeah, I forgot music and someone to play

So here is our wedding song now

I knew that I was the luckiest then

But nothing compares to today

True luck is loving such a giving man

Who’s still taking my breath away

CHORUS:

I’m still in that gondola

Saying yes to you

Luckier each passing day

For everything you do

For everything you do

Your sweet surprises always knock me over

I’m still stunned by Louis Vuitton

And nothing can melt me like you as the doter

Of daughters that you have become

CHORUS

You hold the lens to this beautiful life

That I am so blessed to look through

As thanks I decided on this little song

Instead of some stock in Ted Drewes ;)

CHORUS

SPECIAL THANKS TO....

Lisa and Ed W., for making me swoon and laugh and weep (yes, these songs always make me weep with happiness, too!)....and for making me enthusiastically add a stop at Ted Drewes in St. Louis to my bucket list. ;) 

Producer & Musician Marc Moss at Target Recording Studio in Red Hook NY, for your wonderful playing talent and recording prowess and guidance on this song! 

Thank you to Jennifer A. for the referral, too! So appreciated! 

If you'd like more information and a price quote for commissioning a special custom song for a wedding, anniversary or other special events & marketing promotions, please email Jennifer Haase at customsongsbyjenniferhaase@gmail.com. 

"When You Know, You Know" - Custom Song for Jennifer & Steve

I'll never forget playing this custom song to Jennifer for the first time, which she was giving as a gift to her husband Steve 

for their 17th wedding anniversary. 

She was on the phone in her car. I was on the phone in my kitchen, with 6-string acoustic guitar in my lap and the handset on the table in front of me. I played the song. I picked the phone back up. I heard Jennifer crying. It makes me cry now remembering that moment again -- that moment I live for when I realize that, as a songwriter, I have found a way to express something that someone else longs to say. 

In this case, that special something was "Thank you." 

"Thank you for changing my life." 

Jennifer was a single mother of a 3-year-old son when she met Steve on a bus trip to a St. Louis Cardinals game that neither one of them wanted to attend. At the game, Jennifer was stuck sitting next to a "really weird guy" and Steve offered to change seats with him. They talked through the entire game and he's been her hero ever since. 

Her hero she first kissed in the parking lot of a bar called Miss Kitty's on Memorial Day weekend. 

By that December, they were hitched and never looked back. 

"If we had a dime for everyone who either thought we were crazy or that we were pregnant, we’d be very wealthy people, but when you know, you know!"

"He makes me laugh. I mean really, almost every day he makes me laugh. Sometimes just a snicker, but often times a huge belly laugh.  It makes a good day great and a really crappy day bearable. When I tell him he’s funny his comment to me is 'I’m hysterical, everybody says so.' "

Now a family of four with the addition of their daughter, family has always been ultra-important to both Steve and Jennifer. 

And I knew - or I was hoping I knew - that this line for Jennifer's song to Steve would be the one that might tug at her heart the most...

...You made two plus one equal four...

Jennifer knew she needed a man who'd be a great father. 

When she found that patient, creative, caring family man (who happens to be a genius at making his own gift bows, thank you very much)

 there was no reason to wait to make him hers forever and ever, amen.

When You Know, You Know

(Custom Anniversary Song for Jennifer & Steve)

Words and Music by Jennifer Haase c 2011

You’re hysterical, everybody says so

Incomparable, the Einstein of gift bows

From that kiss at Miss Kitty’s to here

I’ve been weak at the knees for you, Dear

Hotel Pontchartrain, chasing down vampires

We were so insane in every one's wide eyes

Love from zero to 90 we rode

Because Babe, when you know, you know

CHORUS:

Those comic book heroes got nothin’ on you

Thank you for changing the world and mine, too. 

I knew when we met 

that you’d be the star of my show

You took my hand, we placed our bets

When you know, you know

You’re our King of Hearts, devoted to family

You’re my sweet Wild Card, surprises a’plenty

You’re the Christmas Eve kid I adore

You made two plus one equal four

CHORUS

Mr. & Mrs. Allen, through love and the ledges

I’ll sing you to sleep and you’ll keep me in stitches

Thank you for knowing it, too. 

That I’d be the one who gets you

CHORUS

"Thank you for being my partner!  Partner in parenting, partner in love, partner with our own parents, partner our mundane daily lives.  Thank you for loving me!"    

It's always an incredible gift to be part of sharing a love story like this one. These two wonderful people have proven to me and to everyone who knows and loves them that, well....when you know, you know. 

SPECIAL THANKS...

To Jennifer and Steve, for yet again making me a believer in love and finding that love with your very best friend. 

This song still makes me smile and cry and hope and dream. 

Happy Anniversary with love to you. 

XOXO

"Our Own Love Story" - Custom Wedding Song for Heidi & Todd

"We just fit together like a puzzle...JUST like a puzzle...he fills in my weaknesses and I do the same for him."

When Heidi (and ER nurse) commissioned a custom wedding song as a special surprise for her fiance Todd (a paramedic) she made it clear she wanted a non-traditional tune to represent her non-traditional love story. She and Todd's relationship had come a long way and survived life's many challenges. Heidi was struggling to find an existing song that expressed her own version of a real life romance. She wanted a sound that was bare and a little bit bluesy. She wanted a song that was all their own. 

Heidi told me that Todd was the organized one, whereas she was always losing her phone, her keys, her everything! He's the planner and keeps her on track. She helps him relax and let loose. 

When Heidi said that Todd has a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, I knew that bike would hold a special place in the song. One of my favorite quotes EVER from a custom song client is Heidi's, when she revealed: 

"Yes, I've worn leather on the streets of Sturgis!" 

Haha!  So, of course, the bike had to be at center stage in this love song. 

Todd asked Heidi to marry him when they were both recovering from the loss of a mutual friend. It was a sweet, spontaneous moment through the heaviness of tragedy. Heidi told me he'd had a different proposal planned, but when people realize how short life and love can be, it makes them unveil the ring and get the girl while the gettin' is good. The diamond belonged to Todd's grandmother, which is referenced in their custom song, too. 

What I loved the most about working with Heidi and her love story was how much I felt her conviction that this man was her deepest love and her very best fit. I was inspired by how much she respects the faith and bond of a couple that grows together through thick and thin.  I was, and still am, grateful to have written a song about a husband and wife who save lives and through it all have learned to honor and nurture their own. 

Here's the custom wedding song for Heidi and Todd, called "Our Own Love Story." 

Our Own Love Story (For Heidi & Todd)

Words &Music by Jennifer Haase c 2011

We fit just like a puzzle

Our own unique design

We each bring to the table

What the other needs to find

One part slow and steady

One part brave free fall

You help keep me grounded

I help you scale the wall

CHORUS:

Sometimes the Prince shows up on a Harley

Sometimes love looks different than the movie

You bring the keys, I’ll be the breeze

This You-and-Me will always be

Our own love story

Two hardworking survivors

Out busy saving lives

Along the way both learning

How to save what’s yours and mine

A sudden, sweet proposal

A diamond from the past

Every time you ask me

I will choose this real romance

CHORUS

They say your face lit up each time that I entered the room

I know this might sound corny but that really makes me swoon

And so does loving you

CHORUS

Special Thanks to: 

Heidi and Todd for proving sometimes a prince DOES show up on a Harley

and how very lucky a woman can be when he does. 

I loved writing your love song! 

Blessings of love and happiness

from me to you. 

To commission your own CUSTOM SONG, please email Jennifer Haase 

at 

CustomSongsByJenniferHaase@gmail.com 

"True North, True South" Custom Wedding Song for Terry & Reg

Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.


 True North, True South by Jennifer Haase (Custom Wedding Song) by JenniferHaaseMusic 

They met at a staff Christmas party.
Instant attraction. Storybook butterflies.
Two weeks later he bought her a big stuffed bear for Valentine's Day.
Six weeks later they moved in together.
Around 8 years later, they got engaged.

At a staff Christmas party.

And the bride-to-be wanted a very special wedding song
to commemorate their romance from there
to here.

"It was like fate had come full circle."


Terry was a girl from the South. Reg is a Canadian man.
That they ended up together at all is a sweet aligning of the universe in a poignant way
Terry wanted her special song for Reg to make clear.


"We always say that he's 
my True North and I'm his Truth South."


Hence "True North, True South" became the title of the custom song I loved writing
for Terry & Reg's Gone With the Wind themed wedding.

You've gotta love the Southern Belle who talks about her Northern Man like
he is, indeed, Prince Charming.  Terry's description of Reg (short for Regis) was full of all the adjectives that make me swoon.
Gentle, kind, generous, works hard and doesn't complain, takes care of her when she's ill.
A man who would step up with extra support and patience when she was feeling low.
A man who has talked her through fears and (literally) over bridges.
A man very worthy of a love song.

"He has changed my life."

Reg was certainly Terry's hero and wanted him to know it.  That made my job easy.
I worked in a little reference to the opening credits of Gone With the Wind in the first two lines of the song.
I incorporated the couple's favorite quote, featured at the top of this blog post.
I envisioned them keeping each other safe on the bridges they have crossed.

And I shed my own tears while writing the bridge. It mentions the roses in the ceremony
that would be placed on empty chairs representing
two beloved aunts who have passed. Two cherished family members who would be felt and honored in spirit.

Terry tells me she was looking at those empty chairs at that part of the song during the ceremony.
There are no words for how honored a songwriter feels
being part of that kind of moving, loving experience
in even a small way.

What I love the most about this work is that my new clients often become new friends.
Talking to Terry about her love story bonded us with lots of smiles and laughs and happy sighs.

It's lovely when the gift you are writing for someone else becomes a gift for you, too.

Thank you for listening to Terry & Reg's custom wedding song...

 True North, True South by Jennifer Haase (Custom Wedding Song) by JenniferHaaseMusic

True North, True South

Words and Music by Jennifer Haase c 2011

I disagree that gallantry

Ever took its last bow

‘Cause you and me

wouldn’t be here now

It started with a Christmas kiss

From a gentleman so kind

This Southern Belle finally felt

Like a hero’s valentine

CHORUS:

My True North, your True South

We cross each bridge by reaching out

Bring on the wind, ‘cause we know this love will stay

In every moment that it takes our breath away

How well we fit is such a gift

Rhett and Scarlett never knew

Frankly my dear, how much we care

Makes me so in awe of you

CHORUS

We gently place a rose upon the chairs

Of those we loved and lost but feel them here

As real as all we promise here today

To not let go, to always say…

CHORUS

(You’re my True North, I am your True South…)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

SPECIAL THANKS to Terry & Reg for reminding me that love is an incredible journey. For teaching me about the power of patience and faith. For new friendship so sweet from across the many miles. I'm so glad you found each other.  I'm so glad Terry found me! 
Wishing you a lifetime of happiness.
Up North and Down South
:)

-----------------------------------

 Jennifer,

I planned many things for our wedding, but the amazing song you wrote for us was definitely the best part. Reg & I were so touched by your beautiful lyrics and music! When we played it during the ceremony, I don't think there was a dry eye in the house by the time it got the the part about the roses. It meant so much to me that you included that special memorial to my Aunts in the song. 

I can't believe how well you got to know us just by speaking with you on the phone and exchanging emails. It is obvious how much you care about what you do and it shows in every word and note. You have the voice of an angel and a heart to match! I am so glad we connected and I treasure the friendship we now share. 

In closing, everyone loved our song and how you included our theme of "Gone With The Wind", as well as so many personal moments that Reg and I share. I know that I will be having you write songs for other special occasions for us! Thank you again for making our day so special and we will treasure our song forever.

To anyone thinking about having a custom song written, all I can say is look no further... Jennifer is the best and I guarantee that you will not be disappointed!

XOXO

Terry & Reg

"Always Ours" for Prince William and Kate Middleton

Always Ours (For Prince William & Kate Middleton) by Jennifer Haase by JenniferHaaseMusic

My Emmy-nominated recording engineer Robert L. Smith (http://www.defyrecordings.com/) has been urging me to write a custom song for a celebrity wedding for the fun of it. And so, here we are! Writing a love song in honor of The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton seemed like the perfect chance to give this a shot.

I wanted Will & Kate's custom song to be non-traditional as far as wedding songs go.  These two British Royal sweethearts have worked very hard to base their closely watched relationship on their own terms, in their own time.  "Always Ours" seemed like the right title and theme for a love song about Will & Kate's romantic journey together through all the pressures and expectations.

William proposed to Kate in Africa. I imagined that on that day, and the days that followed, they discussed how much everything would change from that moment on. The world would breathe out a sigh of relief upon the announcement and pounce excitedly upon them even more than before.  There would be traditions to uphold and royal family to answer to.

I have this picture in my mind of Will & Kate making a pact.  I imagine them saying to each other "When this gets rough, let's always come back to you and me."

Thanks for listening to Kate & William's love song called "Always Ours."  The lyrics are below.  I wish them both a lifetime of love and happiness that is, of course, always theirs.

Feel free to download the song and share it.  This one's on me.

Always Ours (For Prince William & Kate Middleton) by Jennifer Haase by JenniferHaaseMusic

Always Ours

(For Kate and Will)

Words and Music by Jennifer Haase, c 2011

We can feel it

The whole world

breathing out a sigh

It’s so surreal

how much they want to

speak for you and I

Do they know we laugh like children

at the silliest of things?

Do they know we cried together when

you gave your mother’s ring?

CHORUS:

It has never quite been easy

Like two birds among the owls

Between all the wait and hurry

We made certain this was

Always ours

We moved slowly

Hoping blood would never

trump the fairytale

But you know me

I would still choose love with you

without the veil

Something changed forever on

that day in Africa

And never will it ever change

what matters most to us

CHORUS

Do they know we laugh like children

at the silliest of things?

Do they know we cried together when

you gave your mother’s ring?

CHORUS

Always ours

Special Thanks to...

Robert L. Smith (http://www.defyrecordings.com/) for always nudging me toward the bigger (and scarier!) things.

David M. Patterson (http://www.myspace.com/davidmarkpatterson) for adding such beautiful guitar, mandolin and keys to make this recording really shine.

And to William and Catherine. 

If you ever hear this, I hope you know it was written with deep respect and my heartfelt good wishes for you.

To talk to me about your own custom song needs, please email me at CustomSongsByJenniferHaase@gmail.com.

"Roman Loves" A Custom Lullaby

I have never cried so much writing a Custom Song as I did writing about 1-year-old Roman in his song called "Roman Loves."

This little guy is the pride & joy of parents Ali and Vince, who struggled for a long time to conceive their beloved son.   When he finally came into their lives, it's a huge understatement to say they felt blessed and grateful.

Which is why Ali asked me to write a song about him.   And it's a huge understatement to say that I was glad to accept.

When taking notes for Roman's song, I asked Ali about the things that Roman enjoys most.  I asked her to tell me some of the special things that Roman shares with her (his mother) and father individually.  And I wanted to know what it meant to have him in their lives, though I already knew the answer to that one.  I already knew that no happiness in the world could compare to the birth her son.

She told me that Vince loved to pretend to be a steam roller and it would make Roman laugh so big.

She told me that Roman loved to try and eat just about anything he could get his hands on, even rocks.  :)

She told me that Roman seems to be aware of how lucky he is to be here.  

"Roman really does just seem to be so thankful to be in the world." --Ali, Roman's mother

Every detail about 1-year-old Roman pointed to his love for just about everything and everyone.  I kept coming back to lyrics that started with Roman loves this and Roman loves that. 

One line I wrote for the chorus made the entire song come together for me....

"Nothing feels as good as when you become someone that Roman loves." 

I knew that would tie beautifully into how lucky Ali and Vince felt about being in Roman's world, too.

I needed extra time to finish Roman's song.   Every time I would dig deep into the writing of this story, I would just break right in half with new tears.  Not tears of grief, but those tears you can't seem to stop leaking when you hear a deeply sentimental tale of how a child can change the very shape of your heart, your life, your love.

You'll find the song & lyrics to "Roman Loves" below, as well as a beautiful quote from Ali to me.  To hear the song, please click on the player link. 

Roman Loves by Jennifer Haase by JenniferHaaseMusic

Roman Loves

Words and Music by Jennifer Haase c 2010

Roman loves his steam roller

That looks a lot like Daddy

Roman loves to join parades

In his suped-up buggy

Chorus:

Every day is a miracle

With our adoring son

Nothing feels as good as when

You become someone

That Roman loves

Roman loves

Roman loves the letter B

Books and blowing bubbles

Roman loves his mother’s voice

More than eating pebbles

(Chorus)

Each minute we waited felt heavy as sky

Each minute was worth it for our

Big eyed, big-hearted sweet little guy

Roman loves that each new thing’s

The coolest on the planet

Roman loves his little world

And loves that we are in it

(Chorus)

"Without having walked a mile in our shoes, I can't imagine how anyone could have turned what we have gone through and the love we have for our son into beautiful words and a melody, but Jennifer, YOU HAVE DONE IT! Honestly, I cried so hard the first time I heard this song that I could hardly hear the whole thing. Even after several hundred repeat listenings, it still takes my breath away every single time. You are such an amazing and talented songwriter and singer, but honestly there's just something more with you. You get it. You understand where people are coming from and how to take the best and most passionate parts of our lives and turn them into something amazing." -- Alison C.

SPECIAL THANKS TO....
Ali and Vince, for allowing some of that ultra-special Roman essence touch my life.  This song ended up being a gift for all of us, including me.

And to Roman.
Bless you, Kiddo, for changing the shape of my heart, too.

"Joining the Circle" Custom Wedding Song for Nigel & Claire

Ah, the connecting power of Facebook!  I befriended Nigel (and then his girlfriend, Claire) on Facebook many moons ago due to some similar interests in music.  Nigel soon became a fan of my own music, as did other members of his family I connected with on Facebook, too.  (Hi, Pete!)   Once Nigel got wind of my Custom Songs, he asked me if I would write one for he and Claire's upcoming UK wedding dance in July 2010 and I was completely honored to do so. 

My connections to Nigel and Claire via Facebook had already made it clear to me that family and friends were extremely important to this couple.  The group of people they belonged to were just as special to them as the family they were making together.  When taking notes for their Custom wedding dance song, I asked Clarie if the joining of family and friends would be a good theme for their lyrics.  She whole-heartedly agreed. Hence the song title and theme of "Joining the Circle" was born.

Another poignant circle in this wedding couple's story is that of their wedding bands.   Claire's mum passed away when she was 13 and Nigel's father passed away over 6 years ago.   The memories of their beloved parents lost still live on in the wedding rings that Claire and Nigel wear (Claire her mother's, Nigel his father's).  So "Joining the Circle" also meant joining the strong family ties of their past to the strong loving ties of this new marriage. 

And I get weepy every time I think about that kind of blessing and bond, as I imagine Nigel and Claire do, too.

I wanted their song to speak not only to the special details about Nigel & Claire's relationship, but to also personally address the people who were sharing their marriage celebration.  With the opening lyric "This is our love letter to each other and to you..." I was making sure that this love song was an invitation to everyone in Nigel & Claire's lives to join their circle, too.

To have written the song played for their very first dance as a married couple?  And to work on my very first UK wedding ever?

PRICELESS!

The lyrics to "Joining the Circle" are below.   To hear the song, please click the player link!

Joining The Circle by Jennifer Haase by JenniferHaaseMusic

Joining the Circle 

Words and Music by Jennifer Haase c 2010

This is our love letter

To each other and to you

Becoming one as family

Means much more than just we two

It takes a village to build love a road

Surprises and memories we’ve molded with gold to

Join in a circle

With these wedding bands

With kindred and friends

And this love is worth more

Now that we stand

Woman and Man

Joining the circle

Fair cream-colored roses

In a church where lords once prayed

Blessings for our marriage

Full of heritage and grace

But these are just sanctuary walls

Until we sons and daughters all

Join in a circle

With these wedding bands

With kindred and friends

And this love is worth more

Now that we stand

Woman and man

Joining the circle

Holding close the spirits

In the heirlooms on our hands

Feeling just as breathless as the days

This love began to

Join in a circle

With these wedding bands

With kindred and friends

And this love is worth more

Now that we stand

Woman and man

Joining the circle

Special Thanks to....

Nigel & Claire Sholl for being true champions of the power of family love.  I'm so honored to join your circle, too, of friends who celebrate the good times--both past and present--with you. 

CONGRATULATIONS!

"Hi Jennifer, our big day came and went and was fabulous, so many people asked us where we got our special song from, it was an amazing day celebrated in some style with the best first dance a couple could ever have wished for, you are an amazing talent and a brilliant songstress we truly cannot thank you enough for helping make our day so very special xx --Nigel Sholl, Custom Wedding Dance Song called "Joining the Circle", July 2010.