The Jonah Medal released “Dopey’s Song” on July 3, 2022. The song has everything you want in a ballad–story, drama, beautiful instrumentals, and soothing vocals.
Expanding on a beloved fairy tale, “Dopey’s Song” tells the story of one small man who fell in love with an unexpected guest. Maybe there was more to life than work and the men just weren’t aware of that living on their own in the woods before Snow White joined them. While the story told may be a bit unexpected in song-form, it’s not one that’s entirely unheard of. In the Disney version, Dopey absolutely comes to life when he sees Snow White.
“Dopey’s Song” is a story beautifully told by Bjorn Baillie’s excellent writing. The keys played add to the drama in a spectacular way, each chord echoing the line sung. When the strings joined, it melded into perfection. It kind of reminds me of Elton John’s music–truly a testament to the expertise of those involved.
The Jonah Medal was founded in 2020 in Brighton, UK. It began as a “creative mission” for Bjorn Baillie to challenge his own forward musical progression and embrace the familiar. “Having written for many years for a band who needed singles and album tracks, The Jonah Medal is my finally feeling comfortable addressing the issues in my own life, in my friends’ lives, and the lives of my peers,” he says. The Jonah Medal released their debut “Septembering” in 2021. For more on them, follow their socials linked below.
Q&A with The Jonah Medal
Q: We love the vocals on “Dopey’s Song”! Can you tell us a bit about the creative process?
THE JONAH MEDAL: Thank you. I had the idea of this song for a long time–the story I wanted to tell. The opening few lines also were kicking around for a number of years, but only when the chorus came did it begin to soar. I had to keep playing the chorus to people before I recorded it to make sure that I/they hadn’t heard it before as the melody is so strong, I felt sure it couldn’t be mine. But it’s a gift and it landed in my lap.
Q: “Dopey’s Song” is quite a tale! What inspired it exactly?
THE JONAH MEDAL: Literally the idea that after Snow White left, the 7 guys, all but one of them, were happy for her and her new life. I knew it had to be Dopey and felt he might have secretly felt much more for her. So when her perfect life begins to crumble, she thinks back to those days with her 7 friends and gets in touch again. Dopey can finally reveal his feelings.
Q: What is your favorite memory from making “Dopey’s Song”?
THE JONAH MEDAL: The music was recorded in Los Angeles and Brighton, mixed in Melbourne, Australia, and mastered in London. It went around the world with some incredible people adding their best to it before passing it on. That process with those people really is my favourite memory.
Q: What’s the music scene like in Brighton?
THE JONAH MEDAL: It’s energetic and eclectic. So much atmosphere for artists and bands playing down here. I think it’s the best scene in the UK.
Q: If you had to choose three songs for a road trip, what would they be?
THE JONAH MEDAL: Another Summer – Roman Candle
Making Breakfast – Twin Peaks
Remember, Remember – Madison Cunningham
Q: Do you have any projects in the works?
THE JONAH MEDAL: I’m going out to Los Angeles later this year for some amazing writing sessions. Can’t really talk much about the people involved, but I’m real excited to lend a melody or two.
Reviewed & Interviewed by Dana L. Sullivan
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