"Believe"

Wally Koekebakker and I met at Berklee College of Music in Boston in 1983. Then we roomed together, along with Dave Chelimsky, in Revere, Massachusetts for a few months. We all worked together at Ruggles Pizza. That was near the beginning of my golden era. The first song Wally and I wrote together was “She Called Me Love.” While still at Berklee, I was part of a band called The Neuromen. That band never got off the ground, but led to some lasting friendships. Drummer Joe Napolitano had more success with Doppler Effect.

Wally and I co-wrote “Believe” via snail-mail. (Of course, back then it was just called “mail.”) I recorded a simple piano/vocal version for a demo cassette in 1990. Then I met a guy named Eric (I forget his last name) at Java Joe’s in Des Moines while performing with Tina Haase. Eric took an interest in me and my music. He worked with me to rewrite “Believe,” and the result is a stronger song. I was stupid to lose touch with him. These are the revised lyrics.

Believe

© Wally Koekebakker and Brian Hutzell

Believe there is tomorrow, and that I might still find you there

Believe there is love beyond all darkness

And that my search will be rewarded

And faith in the warmth of your smile

And strength to carry on the extra mile

Believe my diligence today will result in a brighter future

For me with you

For all of us--something new

To give love, you gotta believe

To give life, you gotta believe

To give myself to you

I’ve got to believe in you and me

And I do

Believe we can build a monument to the promise of possibility

Believe we can live each moment to the best of our ability

To give love, you gotta believe

To give life, you gotta believe

To give myself to you

I’ve got to believe in you and me

And I do

What I think and say and do can make a difference

I can lift a stone, can lift a stone

What I think and say and do can change the world

But not alone, no not alone

Believe where I find tomorrow

You and I will be together there

Believe there is love beyond all darkness

And deep inside, you really care

To give love, you gotta believe

To give life, you gotta believe

To give love, to give life

You and me, for all time

To give myself to you, I’ve got to believe in you and me

And I do

I do believe