When Marnie Was There

illustration by Carol Lay

It is with enormous pleasure that I can finally share the big news that I have written the ending theme song to Studio Ghibli's next feature film, entitled When Marnie Was There.  In case some of you don't know, I practically worship the movies that Studio Ghibli release!  They have moved me so much, and have been an undeniably positive influence in my life.  To sing on one of their movies was a far off, distant dream I had, but never really believed could come true.

And then, seemingly out of nowhere, the producer of this film contacted me asking if I would be interested in writing the ending theme song.  I literally gasped in a way you would....say, if you saw a pegasus flying in the sky.  And then I let out a scream of delight and ran around the house like a little girl.

For the first few weeks of work, I was pretty sure they'd fire me at some point.  But, lucky for me, they never did -- and I'm finishing up the last mixes for the "Song Book" as I type this.  The "Song Book" will be a full-length album of songs that won't actually be in the movie, but are inspired by the film and its characters and story.

And the story!!!  "When Marnie Was There" is a British children's novel, written by Joan G. Robinson.  I immediately fell in love with the characters, especially Anna, the protagonist.  Robinson's writing is so real, and so honest.  I read the book 3 times now, and cried at the same parts, each time.

The Director of the film is the highly regarded, Hiromasa Yonebayashi (The Secret World of Arrietty), who I am over-the-lunar-eclipsed-moon to meet next week.  

During this whole process, I didn't even think to take note that this theme song would be Studio Ghibli's first theme song sung in English!  Even after careful consideration of having me sing this song in Japanese, it was finally decided to keep the song in its original form.  Here is an article just posted in The Hollywood Reporter, highlighting this specifically.  

In the end.... I am just so so thankful for this dream-come-true opportunity.  Truly.... something out of a dream.  

I also just happened to find this today....  

love,
p. a.