November 28, 2022

Great review for THE THREE OF US (German)


Great first review for THE THREE OF US by the blog DANCING ABOUT THE ARCHITECTURE from 26 November 2022! 

This is the German translation! 

REZENSION 

The Three of Us ist ein Lied, das von Herzen kommt und auf Erfahrung basiert. Und obwohl die Ereignisse, auf denen das Lied basiert, vor Jahrzehnten passiert sind, scheint es leider in diesen immer dunkler werdenden Zeiten immer noch relevant zu sein.

Der Song dokumentiert, was es bedeutet, ein Ausgestoßener in der Gesellschaft zu sein, ein Flüchtling in einem Land, in dem Sätze wie „Gib mir deine müden, deine Armen, deine zusammengekauerten Massen, die sich danach sehnen, frei zu atmen“ längst an Bedeutung verloren haben. Zu dieser Zeit schien es, als würden Türen nicht nur vor der Nase des Erzählers geschlossen, sondern aktiv zugeschlagen und verschlossen. Aber erst im Nachhinein kam die Erkenntnis, dass es Engel, gute Menschen und eine höhere Autorität gab, die über sie wachten, auch wenn ihre Anwesenheit oft nicht zu spüren waren.

Und so nimmt der Song einen hüpfenden Dance-Pop-Beat, einen R&B-Groove, Thir13eens zeitgemäßen Gesangsstil und eine zugängliche Haltung und erinnert uns daran, dass es selbst in unserer dunkelsten Stunde Menschen oder Engel gibt, an die man sich wenden kann.

Dies ist das neueste Lied von Lily Amis, das sich mit wichtigen Themen wie Einwanderung, Flüchtlingsstatus und einer zersplitterten und intoleranten Gesellschaft befasst. Songs wie „80 Million People“ handeln von der Not der Flüchtlinge weltweit, „Blood is Always Red“ von Krieg und Diskriminierung und „The Stolen Years“ ist eine musikalische Erweiterung und Zusammenfassung von Lily Amis’ Memoiren „The Stolen Years in Zurich“.

Leider brauchen wir Künstler wie Lily Amis und Songs wie diese, vielleicht mehr als je zuvor. Eine Plattform zu haben, um ganze Menschenmassen zu erreichen, ist eine Sache; es zu verwenden, um solch ergreifende und kraftvolle Botschaften zu verbreiten, ist eine andere. Zum Glück erkennen Menschen wie Lily Amis die Macht der Musik und der Verbreitung des Wortes … das Wort ist Toleranz. (Und Empathie, Liebe, Mitgefühl….)




November 26, 2022

Great review for THE THREE OF US!


Great first review for THE THREE OF US by the blog DANCING ABOUT THE ARCHITECTURE from 26 November 2022!

The Three of Us is a song that comes from the heart and is based on experience. And even though the events that the song is based on happened decades ago, sadly, in these ever-darkening times, it still seems pertinent.

The song documents what it means to be an outcast in society, a refugee in a land where phrases such as “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” have long since lost meaning. At the time, it seemed that doors were not only being shut in the narrator’s face but actively slammed and locked. But it is only with hindsight that the realisation that there were better angels, good people and a higher authority watching over them, even if their presence couldn’t often be felt.

And so the song takes a skittering, dance-pop beat, an R&B groove, Thir13een’s of-the-moment vocal style and an accessible stance and reminds us that even in our darkest hour, there are people you can turn to.

This is the latest song from Lily Amis to deal with significant issues such as immigration, refugee status and a fractured and intolerant society. Songs such as 80 Million People deal with the plight of refugees worldwide, Blood is Always Red deals with issues of war and discrimination, and The Stolen Years is a musical extension and summary of Lily Amis’ memoir, The Stolen Years in Zurich.

Unfortunately, we need artists such as Lily Amis and songs such as these, but we do…perhaps more than ever before. Having a platform to reach out to whole swathes of people is one thing; using it to spread such poignant and powerful messages is another. Thankfully, people such as Lily Amis realise the power of music and spreading the word…the word being tolerance. (And empathy, love, compassion….)
 


November 24, 2022

The Three of us - My song lyrics in German

Mein viertes Song-Projekt mit dem Künstler Thir13een ist ab sofort überall erhältlich!

Es ist die Fortsetzung Song von "The Stolen Years" (Die Gestohlenen Jahre). Und hier ist der übersetzte Liedtext und eine kleine Erklärung: 

„Von Regentagen bis Sonnenuntergänge“ im Refrain symbolisiert die Tage, an denen wir vor Traurigkeit Tränen geweint haben und die Sonne und Trost in der Dunkelheit vermisst haben. 

„Von kühlen Tagen zu stürmischen Nächten im Winter“ im Refrain symbolisiert die ängstliche und unsichere Nächte während des Krieges und den Bombenangriffen und später als verstoßene Flüchtlinge für unsere existenzielle Unsicherheit und Zukunftssorgen, während alles stillstand wie im Winter, wenn alle Pflanzen und Bäume schlafen.


WIR DREI (THE THREE OF US)

Lily Amis featuring Thir13een für nasSima

Weltweit erhältlich!

 

Du warst immer für uns da

Immer nur wir drei

Von Regentagen bis zu Sonnenuntergängen

Von kühlen Tagen bis zu stürmischen Nächten im Winter

Ja, du und nur du! Ja

Ja, du und nur du! Ja

Ja, du und nur du! Ja

 

Heute Morgen habe ich Lilys Buch in meine Bibliothek zurückgebracht und

fand ihren versteckten Brief darunter, unter dem Weihnachtsbaum

Es ist an dich adressiert, also lass mich es lesen

Lass mich es dir vorlesen …

 

Lieber Gott, Menschen mögen unterschiedliche Geschichten haben

aber wir alle teilen ähnliche Sorgen

Verletzlich und ängstlich, aber unsere Liebe und unser Glaube

hat uns geholfen, die gestohlenen Jahre zu überleben

 

Mitten in der Nacht betete ich im Stillen

Ich sagte, die Bombenangriffe scheinen wie eine Ewigkeit

Lieber Gott bitte lass uns überleben oder wenigstens gemeinsam sterben

Es ist schrecklich, in Angst zu leben

schrecklich, endlose Nächte in Tränen zu überleben

Jeder Tag hätte der letzte sein können

Lieber Gott, dessen waren wir uns bewusst!

 

Du warst immer für uns da

Immer nur wir drei

Von Regentagen bis zu Sonnenuntergängen

Von kühlen Tagen bis zu stürmischen Nächten im Winter

Ja, du und nur du! Ja

Ja, du und nur du! Ja

Ja, du und nur du! Ja

 

Es brauchte viel Mut, geliebte Menschen und den Krieg hinter uns zu lassen

Dieser Schritt war ein Zeichen, ein Zeichen der Verzweiflung

Ohne Trost und emotionale Unterstützung

Wir drei haben bei null angefangen

Mutter beruhigte mich und sagte

Ich verspreche dir, wir werden wieder alles haben, was wir mal hatte

 

Ich habe schon früh gelernt, Menschen kommen und gehen

Mein egoistischer Vater hat mich mit fünf Jahren verlassen

Ein gewalttätiger Stiefvater hat uns in so vielen schwierigen Zeiten missbraucht

Eine lieblose Ehe mit nur zwanzig

Habe nie wahre Liebe und emotionale Sicherheit gefühlt

Die Zeit heilt alle Wunden, sagt man

Aber man kann gebrochenes Vertrauen und offene Narben nicht heilen

 

Du warst immer für uns da

Immer nur wir drei

Von Regentagen bis zu Sonnenuntergängen

Von kühlen Tagen bis zu stürmischen Nächten im Winter

Ja, du und nur du! Ja

Ja, du und nur du! Ja

Ja, du und nur du! Ja

 

Du bist immer für uns da

Es sind immer nur wir drei

Lieber Gott, danke, dass du uns beschützt

Zusammen für immer, nur wir drei!

 

Du bist immer für uns da

Es sind immer nur wir drei

Lieber Gott, danke, dass du uns beschützt

Zusammen für immer, nur wir drei!

 

Als wir im Kreislauf des Lebens gefangen waren

Der Verlust unserer Identität war ein emotionaler Albtraum

Der Kampf gegen jahrzehntelange Ablehnung eine seelische Folter

 

Du warst immer für uns da

Immer nur wir drei

Von Regentagen bis zu Sonnenuntergängen

Von kühlen Tagen bis zu stürmischen Nächten im Winter

Ja, du und nur du! Ja

Ja, du und nur du! Ja

Ja, du und nur du! Ja


Gott, ich habe nicht deine Postanschrift

Also benutze ich meinen Schornstein und leite Lilys Brief an den Weihnachtsmann weiter




November 22, 2022

The Three of us - The song lyrics!



Exciting NEWS! 

My fourth song project with my featured artist Thir13een is out today! 
It is the follow-up song to THE STOLEN YEARS. 

And here is the song lyric and a little explanation: "From rainy days to sunsets" in the chorus symbolizes the days that we were crying tears of sadness and missed the sun and comfort in the darkness." From chilly days to stormy nights in the winter"  in the chorus symbolizes the fearful and uncertain nights during the war and the bomb attacks and later as rejected refugees our existential insecurity and worries of the future while everything stood still like in winter when all the plants and trees are sleeping. 

Here we go.... 


The Three of us

Lily Amis featuring Thir13een for nasSima

Release: 22.11.22 worldwide

You were always there for us
Always just the three of us
From rainy days to sunsets
From chilly days to stormy nights in the winter
Yeah, you and only you! Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
Yeah, you and only you! In the Winter
Yeah, you and only you! Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

This morning, I took Lilys book back to my library
And I found her hidden letter
Underneath, underneath the Christmas tree
It was addressed to you, so let me read it
Let me read to you

Dear God, humans may have different stories
But we all share similar worries
Vulnerable and afraid but our love and faith
Helped us survive the stolen years

In the middle of the night, I prayed silently
I said the bomb attacks seem to last forever
Dear God, please let us survive or at least, all die together
It's terrifying to live in fear
horrifying to survive endless nights in tears
Every day could have been the last
Dear God, we're conscious of that!

You were always there for us
Always just the three of us
From rainy days to sunsets
From chilly days to stormy nights in the winter
Yeah, you and only you! Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
Yeah, you and only you! In the winter
Yeah, you and only you! Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

It took a lot of courage to leave loved ones and walk behind
Taking this step was a sign, a sign of desperation
With no comfort and emotional support at all
The three of us started over from zero
Mum calmed me down and said
I promise you, we will have everything we left

I've learned from young age people come and go
My selfish father left me at five years old
A violent stepfather abused us during so much difficult times
A loveless marriage with only twenty
Never felt true love and emotional safety
Time heals all wounds, they say
But you can't heal broken trust and open scars

You were always there for us
Always just the three of us
From rainy days to sunsets
From chilly days to stormy nights in the winter
Yeah, you and only you! Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
Yeah, you and only you! In the winter
Yeah, you and only you! Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

You are always there for us
At all times just the three of us
Dear God, thank you for protecting us
2gether 4ever, it's just the three of us!
You ARE always there for us
At all times just the three of us
Dear God, thank you for protecting us
2gether 4ever, it's just the three of us!

When we were trapped in the circle of life
Losing our identity was an emotional nightmare
Fighting decades of rejection, a mental torture
You were always there for us
Always just the three of us
From rainy days to sunsets
From chilly days to stormy nights in the winter
Yeah, you and only you! Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
Yeah, you and only you! In the winter
Yeah, you and only you! Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

God, I don't have your postal address
So I use my chimney and forward Lily's letter to Father Christmas

 

November 18, 2022

The Three of us - The song message!


When you feel lost and lonely and NO one is around to help, be assured that you are never alone. With my song “THE THREE OF US”, I want to remind lonely and hopeless people of all ages, generations, and religions to never lose their faith. When you are down, and I mean really down (for whatever reason!) and fighting depression or any kind of other mental illness, it’s hard to see the light at the end of the long and dark tunnel. And when people say this will go by, you only get more upset and feel misunderstood. 

I’m sure you have heard the saying “When one door closes another one opens.” I remember how this saying made me furious for many years. What am I saying? For decades!!! Because the truth is not only were ALL the doors closed and not one single door was ever opened, the doors were actually slammed into our faces with the ridiculous refugee law and all the discriminating bureaucracy obstacles. 

The saying means if one thing you do fails, you will soon have an opportunity to try to succeed at something else. NOPE! Not in our case. As a rejected asylum seeker, later refugee, and foreigner in a narrow-minded country with its condescending mentality and culture towards foreigners in general every single chance and opportunity was and is denied. Do you know why? Because no one cares! Selfish and Godless rule makers enjoy punishing desperate people who are already down.

I’m pretty sure that many people who have or will be experiencing what we have experienced will slowly but surely break down. Life challenges either break you or make you. Thank God, today after three difficult decades I can say that I’m proud that the difficulties made us who we are today and didn’t manage to break us. 

Finally, after three decades, I do recognize that despite all the mess, there were a few open doors. The only difference is that no one opened a door for us. We were the ones who opened them for ourselves because we never ever gave up and continued to fight for our rights and dignity. 

Today we see closed doors as a blessing because the more rejection we have experienced the more determined we were to keep on fighting. Fighting means growing! Just recently I said to my mum, do you realize that if this and that actually did work out in the past or if people who have turned their back on us and left for good still would be around our life, our motivation and energetic hunger to achieve our goals would have been a completely different one. That’s why I encourage people who are experiencing difficult times to write a Thank you letter to God and count the blessings they have right now (even if you find it hard to see them, trust me they are around). Remember that there are always people who suffer and struggle more and they do it in silence. 

Just be happy and grateful for what you have today and God will reward you. It may take years or even decades, but you will see that everything is happening for a reason. All the NOs, disappointments, rejections, and failures are shaping you and preparing you for something greater than your wildest dreams and imagination. Write an honest and personal letter to God. Make a copy of it. Burn the actual letter and keep the copy somewhere safe. Prepare yourself for unexpected and positive surprises in the future! 




This is a book that I highly recommend!




November 17, 2022

The Three of us - The song cover!


The other day, I read a quote on a calendar in German in my doctor's office waiting room saying: "Was nützt es, wenn wir mehrere Sprachen sprechen, solange wir nicht die Geduld aufbringen, einander zuzuhören" which means  "What is the use of speaking several languages when we don't have the patience to listen to each other".

This is so true! People don't listen. Why? Because they don't care! When we go through tough times, we find out who our REAL friends are. From our own experience, we know that people turned their backs and let us down when we needed them the most. And the few that remain only took advantage of our helplessness. 

Looking back at the challenging, and lonely decades, I'm extremely proud of my mum and myself that despite all the negativity in our life, human disappointment, and heartbreak we made it! We managed to survive and only got stronger! 

I remember the days when we felt lost and hopeless and all we desperately needed was some kind of emotional support. Kindness and compassion from family members and so-called friends, but no ONE was there. 

And yet, my mum and I were never completely alone. In our darkest hours, there was always a higher power with us. And that is my inspiration for my new song, "The Three of us", which will be released on the 22. November 2022 and available on all streaming platforms. It is the follow-up song to "The Stolen Years".

Even though it is our story, I think many lonely and hopeless people will be able to relate to the song lyrics. Especially those who have experienced war and the fear of dying. Single mothers who had to raise a child on their own without any kind of emotional support from a husband or family members will feel our pain and hopefully find some comfort in the beautiful melody, the incredible voice from my featured artist Thir13een, and the lyrics. 

November 10, 2022

Lilys Botschafter Audiobook / Hörbuch


2022 is coming soon to an end, and I have a special surprise for my German-speaking readers. Three of my adorable and wise ambassadors have been turned into an audiobook. Listening to Ludwig, Lennon, and Leonardo’s life story with an amazing narrator will not only be entertaining but also inspiring for young and young-at-heart audiobook lovers! 

My German narrator Dirk Jacobs has done an incredible job. He has given my three little ambassadors Ludwig, Lennon, and Leonardo a voice. Each story is told differently and will touch the listener’s heart and soul. It is a perfect Swiss-German collaboration and a must-have for audiobook and dog lovers!

As a writer and lyricist, I use words to bring attention and awareness to the topics close to my heart. I feel privileged that I can collaborate with incredibly talented artists and give my Lily4Refugees project literally a voice for the voiceless.

Lilys Botschafter, written by Lily & Sima Amis, and narrated by German narrator Dirk Jacobs from Berlin Germany, is my very first German audiobook production and the perfect gift for audiobook lovers. It is going to be available in all audiobook stores right on time for Christmas except for audible.




Das Jahr 2022 neigt sich dem Ende zu und ich habe eine besondere Überraschung für meine deutschsprachigen Leser. Drei meiner bezaubernden und weisen Botschafter wurden in ein Hörbuch umgewandelt. Hör Dir die Lebensgeschichte von Ludwig, Lennon und Leonardo mit einem erstaunlichen Erzähler an. Die Geschichten sind nicht nur unterhaltsam, sondern auch inspirierend für junge und junggebliebene Hörbuchliebhaber!

Mein deutscher Erzähler Dirk Jacobs hat Unglaubliches geleistet. Er hat meinen drei kleinen Botschaftern Ludwig, Lennon und Leonardo seine Stimme gegeben. Jede Geschichte wird anders erzählt und berührt das Herz und die Seele des Zuhörers. Es ist eine perfekte schweizerisch-deutsche Zusammenarbeit und ein Muss für Hörbuch- und Hundeliebhaber!

Als Autorin und Song Texterin verwende ich Worte, um Aufmerksamkeit auf Themen zu lenken, die mir am Herzen liegen. Ich fühle mich privilegiert, dass ich mit unglaublich talentierten Künstlern zusammenarbeiten und meinem Lily4Refugees-Projekt buchstäblich eine Stimme für die Stimmlosen geben kann.

Lilys Botschafter“, geschrieben von Lily & Sima Amis, gesprochen vom deutschen Sprecher Dirk Jacobs, ist meine allererste deutsche Hörbuchproduktion und das perfekte Geschenk für alle Hörbuchliebhaber. Es wird pünktlich zu Weihnachten in allen Hörbuchläden außer Audible erhältlich sein. 



November 03, 2022

ITV, are you serious?

 


I haven’t been posting anything in October, because I'm heartbroken and in shock about the recent events in Iran. But today I got so upset that I have to write this blog post.

While innocent young people are fighting for freedom in Iran and falling like tree leaves, today ITVs main concern in the “Good morning Britain” and “Lorraine” show are the CORRECT pronunciation of Adel’s name. Are you serious? 

We know that the media is corrupt and manipulative. Trust me, everyone with a little bit of IQ is aware of your games. But this tops everything. Making a story out of nothing just to fill your airtime while instead you could use your platform and be the voice for innocent young people in Iran is shameful.



While in Germany the TV channels Sat 1 and Pro Sieben make a supportive and strong statement at “The Voice of Germany” in the semi-final show and stand up with the helpless women in Iran, you waste your airtime and the viewer's precious lifetime with nonsense. 

Who cares how Adele’s name is pronounced correctly? Honestly, it’s time to finally wake up and take some responsibility as so-called “Journalists” and “TV hosts”!

Since Mahsa Amini's death on September 16th, dozens of children have lost their lives for nothing! FOR NOTHING! Every day that goes by more people are losing their life for freedom. And you think Adele’s name pronunciation is more relevant? This is your BREAKING NEWS?

WAKE UP! Look at these victims' pictures below and ask yourself, what is wrong with you? When have you lost your sense of humanity and responsibility as serious journalists? 






Every single person who sees all these horrible images and videos about Iran and decides to stay calm, ignore it, and say nothing about it has no heart or sense for humanity. Honestly, I feel so sorry for you and pray for your soul!