“Friends”

Track No. 5 — 3:55

Corey’s song is forthright – both serious and playful. The lyrics to his song cut to the chase: “Why would we teach our children to be afraid of themselves? [...] I wanna be your friend.”

Says Corey, “I grew up in the South, deep in church environments that were close-minded to topics of gender identity and sexuality.” In this song, he names some of the facets of identity that can sometimes close us off to friendship or love from people who are different from us. “Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, it is difficult living this life and figuring ourselves out. Life would be sweeter if we could all befriend each other in the process.”

Corey’s song also brings to mind the poem “The Summer Day” by the lesbian Christian poet Mary Oliver. In it, she writes:

“I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
With your one wild and precious life?”

To Corey, that question can be answered in part by his repeated outro: “I wanna be your friend.” He says, “I hope this song represents the possibility of growth and change for all people to be more inclusive, more understanding, and more loving to folks who are different.”

Song credits:

Written by: Corey Kilgannon / Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drums: Corey Kilgannon / Pedal Steel: Landon Gay / Mixed by: Kyle Paul Miller / Mastered by: David Wilton at Coalesce Audio