The new single from songwriting couple Mike and Amy Aiken takes inspiration from the protest songs of the 1960s, performed by the likes of Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. Me and You is a timely song, reflecting the political situation in the USA and the sense of desperation many people feel. In particular, the song reflects on how those who are concerned need to rely on one another: “Me and you – it’s up to me and you // You can count on me, and I can count on you.” The Aikens’ words are straightforward and direct; their feelings are clear, right from the opening line: “I’m not too proud to ask for help, but this country’s falling apart…our numbers they are growing – change is overdue.”
Mike explains: “‘Me and You’ was written out of a need to support the resistance movement in this Country. The goal was to write a tune that every guitar player could play, and everyone could sing, lending strength to each other and the movement for change.”
In the video, images of protest marches and banners are interspersed with the couple playing and singing; the message is clear. Mike’s rapid finger-picking follows an engaging tune, and the pair’s voices blend in sweet, unified harmony. Towards the end, with handclaps and a rising melody, the song feels lighter and brighter, perhaps creating a feeling of hopefulness for the future.
When writing, Mike invited his friend and collaborator Jackie Merritt to help shape the song. As they worked, they each brought their own experiences and values to the process, and Me and You evolved into a bigger, broader song than the initial piece, showing what a commitment to collaboration can do. Mike and Amy were in France when Mike completed the initial song. Such was their urgency to record their ideas, they found a studio in Dijon to get the tracks down. In the end, the song was recorded across three locations: Dijon, France; Norfolk, Virginia; and Nashville, Tennessee, so the song embodies their urgency and the spirit of their journey.
Mike and Amy Aiken lead rich, adventurous lives; as life partners and sea captains, they have logged over 30,000 miles at sea, sailing to destinations all over the world, including from Nova Scotia to Europe and back to the Caribbean. Influenced by the people they meet, their independent spirit, and their experiences along the way, the couple’s music is free and hopeful and accessible. Their songs have a welcoming warmth that allows us to share in their adventures; the key is making human connections.
