The Way You Hold Me (2005)

Song Insights

1. WHAT WAS ON YOUR MIND (3:59) Words and Music by Robin Avery and Paul Banman.
This song speaks of the truths we hide from ourselves in service of staying with another and the secrets we keep from our partners that can destroy our relationships. This hypnotic, haunting samba provides a perfect blend of instrumentation with inspiring imagery to create the setting for this event.

2. FINALLY FREE (4:40) Words and Music By Robin Avery and Paul Banman.
Have you ever tried to chase a balloon in the wind? The rolling rhythm and movement in this track heightens the sensation of the chase. You can never quite catch it. Some people are like that; so seemingly reachable, yet so elusive. One can get so caught up in the chase that the chase itself becomes the seduction. You lose perspective and forget about everything else around you including yourself.

3. EBB AND FLOW (4:51) Words and Music By Robin Avery and Paul Banman.
This song is about the dance of new love and infatuation. It's about courtship and the question; where is this heading? The mutual seduction of this period in a relationship is experienced in the smooth sultry seduction of the music. This is a very exciting time in relatedness, yet at the same time the most vulnerable.

4. DRIVE (4:08)
Words and Music By Ric Ocasek.

5. THAT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE (3:47) Words and Music by Robin Avery and Paul Banman.
Living a complete and rich life brings with it uncomfortable and sometimes painful struggles. Yet, struggle is a catalyst for growth. It is the empathy, unconditional support and spiritual connectedness of a genuinely loving and caring partner that can potentially make the difference in how we endure those life struggles.

6. KISS ME IN THE RAIN (4:08) Produced by Paul Banman
This warm melody asks that we live in the present moment and pay attention to love, laughter, and our relationships during our short sojourn in this world. The lyric reminds us to use every moment as an opportunity for love and personal fulfillment.

7. SWEET RELEASE (4:02) Words and Music by Robin Avery and Paul Banman.
Imagination runs wild in this song. After much innuendo and anticipation, this flirtatious, rhythmic R&B track is definitely a provocatively alluring invitation to turn up the heat.

8. LOVETRUST (4:15) Words and Music By Robin Avery and Tim Bain
Taken from the Friday Morning Quarterback publication, October 19, 2001
“.... Lovetrust has an understated sexuality that reels you in.... From the tropic percussion, to the beautiful guitar, and of course the sultry vocals. This deserves your attention.”

9. UNDER THE SAME SKY (4:21) Words and Music By Aaron Avery, Robin Avery and Paul Banman.
This song was inspired by my son Aaron who came home from second grade with an assignment to answer the question, “How are we all the same?” He wrote “we are all under the same sky”. Nothing rang more true to me. We are all different colors of the rainbow emanating from God's light. We are all God's children; one connected spirit. When we hurt another, we hurt ourselves and when we help another, we help ourselves.

10. LITTLE GIRL (4:19) Words and Music By Robin Avery and Paul Banman
As we leave the nest, life demands we accept the realities of impermanence and insecurity, and let go of childhood promises and fairytale fantasies of “happily ever after”. But the longing never leaves us.