- Composing the Song and Dawn Harwood-Jones’ Fine-Tuning
The creation of “Just A Journey” began as a deeply spiritual, almost mystical experience. While pieces of the song were being composed, a profound, spine-tingling energy took over. There was a distinct, undeniable feeling that the presence of John Lennon was right there in the room, channeling a message of peace, love, and the terrifying fragility of life.
Working closely with Dawn Harwood-Jones, her lyrical and musical instincts helped fine-tune the composition.
- Its Crucial Place in Death: The Musical (DTM)
Structurally, the song plays a vital role in balancing the tone of Death: The Musical. For the most part, the play is a fast-paced, unusual comedy and satire centered around human relationships and human mortality. However, the narrative strictly demanded a grounding moment—a serious anchor to address the genuine, heavy reality of losing someone close to you.
When “Just A Journey” begins, the comedic atmosphere of the theater completely shifts. The music introduces a sudden, powerful stillness that strips away the jokes. It forces both the characters and the audience to confront the fragile illusion of infinite time, reminding everyone that we cannot afford to delay saying “I love you” because life can change in a single heartbeat.
- Laura Smith’s Indelible Mark
The song’s legacy became permanently elevated when it was handed to one of Canada’s most extraordinary, soulful voices: Laura Smith. Laura connected deeply with the spiritual weight of the track. She stepped into the studio and recorded her breathtaking rendition—shortened to simply “Journey”—for the official 2001 Death: The Musical original cast recording album.
Laura carried a profound connection to the song throughout her life, right up until her passing from cancer in March 2020. Her performance captured the exact essence of what was felt in the writing room years prior. Through her legendary, commanding voice on the soundtrack, Laura Smith’s spirit remains permanently and beautifully woven into the fabric of the song forever, and so I include it with this painting.