Barry Manilow may "write the songs that make the whole world sing." But Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, wrote one that makes the whole Kennedy family cry.
But they are good tears. Hatch says Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., likes it so much that his extended family is trying to persuade the rock star Jewel to record it.Hatch said he wrote the lyrics (with music by Nashville inspirational music star Melanie Stone) designed as a love song between Kennedy and his wife, Vickie - and to praise strides Kennedy has made in his private life since marrying her.
Hatch said roots of the song go back years to when Kennedy asked for his help in rebuilding his personal life and reputation after a nephew had been arrested for rape at the Kennedy's West Palm Beach estate - after the senator had taken him drinking.
"When he was all humble and depressed, I used it as an opportunity to talk to him. I told him it was time to grow up and quit acting like a teenager," Hatch said. "To his credit, he did that. But much of the credit has to go to Vickie," whom he married not long thereafter.
Hatch adds, "So I wrote the song `Souls Along the Way' as if Vickie is singing it to him."
Hatch first presented it to Kennedy when he was in a mood that was anything but sweet and tender.
"He was upset with me," Hatch said. Kennedy thought Hatch had betrayed an agreement on a child health-care bill they were pushing together - but Hatch says he didn't - and Kennedy had called him the night before to complain vigorously.
"The next morning he came in to apologize in his own way," Hatch said. "I told him that I wrote a love song for him and his wife. He said, `You did? Let's hear it.' "
After Hatch played a demo tape that had been made of the song to seek a performer for it, he said he saw that Kennedy had tears in his eyes.
"He said, `Can I have a copy? My fifth wedding anniversary is next week. And I want to play it for my wife.' I only had one copy, but I let him have it."
Hatch said that on Kennedy's anniversary, "I was sitting in my office in Salt Lake City working when I got a call from the Atlantic Ocean. It's Ted Kennedy saying he's on a sailboat, and that he just played the song for his wife - and that she's crying, she's so happy."
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Additional Information
Souls Along the Way
By Sen. Orrin Hatch
I've been searching all my life - then you came into view.
I was scared to trust my heart - your eyes told me you knew.
Promise me no lies - and never patronize.
We are souls along the way - in my heart you stay.
You know my secrets, I have cried your pain.
When the winding road takes us up and down,
We'll keep holding on, it's love we've found.
Forever and a day - We are souls along the way.
All those days of bitter cold - and nights without end.
You showed me time and time again - the meaning of a friend.
You will always be, the one who reaches me.
We are souls along the way - In my heart you stay.
You know my secrets, I have cried your pain.
And when the winding road takes us up and down,
We'll keep holding on, it's love we've found.
Forever and a day - We are souls along the way.
Forever and a day, we are souls along the way.