~Songwriter Lisa Benedetto ~ Willow Layne Music, LLC ~ Countryside Studios ~
Release Date: 03.17.25 (a very special day)
Title: Sweet Child of Mine (Digital Single)
UPC:783970970398 ISRC: USPXQ2531701
Songwriter: Lisa Benedetto
Publisher: Willow Layne Music,LLC
Featured Artists: Countryside Studios
"Sweet Child of Mine," by songwriter Lisa Benedetto, was inspired by the profound love she holds for her sons. The song reflects on the cherished memories of raising a child, from adventurous moments of boyhood to the bittersweet realization of how quickly time passes. It conveys a deep sense of nostalgia, love, and hope—portraying the child as both a treasured memory and an everlasting part of a mother's heart. Ultimately, it carries the wish that one day, the child will understand and feel the same deep love for their own child.
[Verse 1]
I lay my head upon my pillow each night
And close my eyes oh so tight
As I ask your guardian angels above
To clear the path
On whatever roads you're traveling on
Godspeed as you find your way
Makin this world a better place
[Chorus]
Sweet child of mine
Sweet child of mine
You're not just anyone
You're my son
That tiny babe
Is how you will always be to me
Tucked away in my heart's memory
Sweet child of mine
[Verse2]
An adventurous little boy
Needing a helmet
Running wild with his toys
Who’d cry his eyes out
When bedtime was near
So however long it took
I read every favorite storybook
[Chorus]
Sweet child of mine
Sweet child of mine
You're not just anyone
You're my son
That tiny babe
Is how you will always be to me
Tucked away in my heart's memory
Sweet child of mine
[Bridge]
Sweet child of mine
Sweet child of mine
Yeah, it’s true what they say
The years go flying by
The days seemed long
Raising you
But today
I long for a few more moments of childhood with you
I didn’t have a clue
What love was
Until you
[Outro]
Sweet child of mine
Sweet child of mine
Sent from the angels above
Someday I hope you’ll see
What love
Your sweet child can bring
Then you’ll know
Oh
Oh, how I love you so
Sweet child of mine
The song "Saint Nick to Aisle Six" intertwines personal memories with the enchantment of the holiday season to create a touching Christmas story. Songwriter Lisa Benedetto of Willow Layne Music draws from her high school experience as a supermarket cashier, infusing the lyrics with warmth and nostalgia. She also reveals the enduring presence of a young, dynamic boy she once knew—whose spirit, though he has passed, feels close and reflects Saint Nick, adding a moving layer of divinity.
The call of "Saint Nick to Aisle Six" invites listeners into a festive scene where Santa embodies more than a holiday icon; he becomes a symbol of joy and connection, much like the boy she remembers. Santa’s interaction with the young boy in the song echoes the innocent delight and cherished moments that make Christmas special. As the story progresses, “Saint Nick” comes to represent enduring kindness, warmth, and love that remain even when loved ones are no longer with us. The song’s refrain to "just believe" captures the essence of the season, celebrating the power of hope and the timelessness of love. The songwriter has dedicated this song to her grandchildren and Saint Nick.
[Verse 1]
Holiday shopping is no easy feat,
My cart brimming over, gifts piled in deep
Curious whispers began to rise
And a buzz filled the air, a festive surprise.
Saint Nick to Aisle Six
Saint Nick to Aisle Six
The call sounded again, rolling through the store
So I hurried along
I had to know more
My curiosity got the best of me
As I dashed to see what it could be
[Chorus]
Saint Nick to Aisle Six
Saint Nick to Aisle Six
Answering the call with a merry grin
He swept through the crowd as the buzz kicked in
His red hat tipped low, over white tufted brows
And with each step, his belly bounced proud
With a jolly sway, laughter so bright
Who is this man, this magical sight?
Just believe
Just believe
In childhood dreams
[Verse 2]
I pushed my cart packed to the brim
Passed Aisle Four only two more
Then I saw him
That guy dressed in red
With a white beard that almost covered his whole head
His name tag simply said
Saint Nick and nothing more
Was he a clerk from the store?
[Chorus]
Saint Nick to Aisle Six
Saint Nick to Aisle Six
He was there to answer the call
With his jolly grin and holiday cheer
His hat kept slipping down
past his nose
Who’s this man, could it be true?
Just believe
Just believe
And he’ll find you
[Verse 3]
He spotted then stopped
At the top of the aisle
Because he saw a little boy crying
When he walked toward the boy
In a second he could see
The boy’s face lit up with pure glee
Together they ran through the store
Playing with toys
Making lasting Christmas memories for that boy
[Outro]
But the greatest present of them all
Was the gift of love spreading in that mall
Just believe
Just believe
Just believe
[sleigh bells]
Saint Nick to Aisle Six
"My True Companion"
About being grateful for the devotion a Great Pyrenees instinctually offers during challenging times to find strength and hope to rise again.
Music is the heartbeat of a soul. And Willow Layne reveals hers in the music she creates. Her songs are filled with intimate and relatable ideas that conjure up deep feelings. She believes that “Music is intensely personal and just hearing someone’s favorite song gives an unspoken connection. I shared a song with a close friend who was brought to tears. After years of keeping my lyrics to myself, at that very moment, I decided that sharing my music might touch others, too.”
Growing up, her earliest memories are filled with the musical sounds of her grandfather, Donato. His saxophone, along with his musician compadres, echoed the big-band sound of the day through the family home set in West Orange, NJ. Those sessions were her introduction to the magic of music, along with the rendition of “Ole Sole Mio” by the legendary Enrico Caruso. From her mom, she inherited a love for the timeless voices of Frank Sinatra, Harry Belafonte, and The Everly Brothers, while her dad introduced her to the soul-stirring tunes of Eric Clapton, Bobbie Gentry, Glen Campbell, and John Denver. And from there, the love of country music sprouted. As a kid, she thought her dad was Glen Campbell himself, especially when he'd play his guitar in full country fashion for her and her little sister. That blend of big band elegance, classic crooners, and heartfelt country has shaped her sound today.
In high school, she began writing, capturing thoughts and emotions in lyrics. Despite country music not being the trend at the time, her love for the genre never wavered. Her lyrics are born from deep emotions, sometimes sparked by hearing a word or phrase, and when that happens, the music just comes alive in her heart and soul.
“My True Companion” (Bongo Boy Records), her debut single, steps off from a place of love offering new-found hope to rise again. This is the song that brought tears to her friend’s eyes leading to the inspiration to release this musical piece. Music is the heartbeat of her soul that she shares with you.
Willow Layne’s debut single, My True Companion, is a song that feels like a song that you have been listening to all your life. Yet, it’s as undeniably fresh as it is seemingly familiar (indeed, the perfect definition of a classic!) The song was written by the talented Lisa Benedetto, and it is a track stirs memories of a cascade of musical eras while standing firmly on its own two feet. Don’t get me wrong—this isn’t a case of plagiarism, plunder, or merely riding the coattails of past glories—anything but. But there’s a timeless quality here, a certain spaciousness and grace that calls to mind the ballads of country greats and the suave crooners of a bygone golden age.
Lazy journalists might slap the “country” label on Willow Layne and move on, but that would be doing her a grave disservice. Yes, she’s got one foot planted squarely in the rich soil of that genre—cowboy boots and all—but the other foot is stepping out, tapping into a wide array of sounds and styles that make her music truly unique. It’s this genre-blending magic that tells the bigger sonic story of what she’s all about.
My True Companion is a shining example of why Willow Layne shouldn’t be pigeonholed. Sure, the country vibes are strong, but the song also nods to the lush arrangements of chamber pop icons like Lee Hazelwood and Burt Bacharach, with a sprinkle of the softer side of Brian Wilson’s genius. It’s pop sensibility with a country soul, a song that wraps its accessibility in a warm, heartfelt embrace.
This track perfectly introduces Lisa Benadetto’s songwriting finesse. It showcases her ability to push beyond country music’s boundaries, capturing listeners’ hearts across genres. In just one song, she appeals to fans of pop, anthemic ballads, torch songs, Broadway showstoppers, and the kind of introspective, soulful melodies that stay with you long after the music fades.
Mark my words: My True Companion is a future classic.
Bongo Boy Records, an independent music label championing equally independent artists of all genres and locales, once again struck gold; specifically, country gold. Meet Willow Layne, the pseudonym/project name for producer & songwriter Lisa Benedetto. Lisa, inspired by a family of music lovers and makers, and falling in love with – and privately writing – country music at a young age, presents her very first single, “My True Companion.” And after sharing this song, discreetly, with a trusted friend, said friend was brought to tears, convincing Lisa to finally share her secret music with the world.
Ready to hear the first sounds of Lisa Benedetto’s formerly private heart? Let’s talk about it.
Wait. What’s it about?
“My True Companion” is about rising again, and finding the strength – the hope – to do so. And that strength? It can sometimes come from the person (or Great Pyrenees) who, regardless of your loudly screaming self-doubt, knows your true capacity for greatness.
Listening, and talking about it.
The first thing I notice are the vocals – they have that confident country timbre, but are somehow more vulnerable regardless of their apparent wisdom. And their presence in the mix is exactly where they should be – right on top, and perfectly discernible through any instrumentation. In fact, the separation and clarity are so impeccable, it’s like the vocalist is standing next to you, and singing directly to you.
And behind this voice, the music is created through muted, gently plucked acoustic guitar, slide guitar sparkles, and either a deeply yawning organ or accordion. It’s definitely country, and offers such sonic separation and space one could hear such sounds ushered through wheat fields on summer afternoons.
It’s a quiet tune, and through the lyrics, songwriter Lisa tells the story calmly, beautifully, with the occasional, mesmerizing falsetto bending and darting before landing back to that soft, subtle storytelling.
And when the song ends, Lisa calls out her oft-mentioned “guardian angel” – the one and only Samson, her Great Pyrenees. It seems his constant support is responsible for granting Lisa the strength to carry on, and perhaps the very strength necessary to bravely share her music with a close friend.
But is it good?
I can’t believe this is a debut. The song is, moving, human, and not overstuffed with melodrama or sanitizing production techniques. It’s clean. Pure. Like it traveled directly from Lisa‘s heart to our ears. Is it good? It’s better than good – it’s real.
If you want to keep fighting but need some support? Simply listen to this song, and stop ignoring your inner Samson. He knows exactly who you are, and what you’re capable of. Highly recommended.
Bongo Boy Records is a Full Stack Music Company with a creative spin and a growing roster. Launched a growing syndicated Television Show and owns iSpin Radio Station. Distribution and Promotions of Music. Where Your Success Is Our Business.
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