To Do It My Way Liner Notes

John Chong:
I really wanted the bass to really carry the verses so I didn't put a downbeat in my part. And my kick patterns line up pretty well with Mike's rapping in the 3rd verse. Live, we play it a little different now. I took the very last part originally from Daniel Chae, but he started the ending groove earlier, when I'm just riding on the cymbals. I just ride on the cymbals right after the tom build up to send it over the edge when the snare comes in. And the beat is a little different then what Daniel Chae suggested. I think a lot of people like this song cause of the very emotional ending. And in all honestly, the drums are not even necessary. I think the vocal parts are what makes the ending so big. If you hear the Porter Ranch Fires EP, you'll see what I'm talking about. It's just a great vocal part. Along with Kevin's "Hold On", it's game over. But I don't mind playing my part. If you
notice I switched my snare drum in between the two different parts of the songs.

Daniel Chae
I really love the feel on this song. Kevins sweet cream and toppings just do it for me, not to mention the ending. It has an awaken the dawn' feel, which is great.

Gilbert Kim:
Before I joined the band, this was probably one of my favorite songs. It has a very strong and relatable message. Thus, I wanted my bass groove to be simple. I wanted it to be groovy without taking attention away from the lyrics. The bridge and ending of this song is big and I always feel very out of breath when I'm playing it. It's not that my groove requires a lot of physical effort, but I just really get lost in the music.

Kevin Kim:
love the groove and mike's first two verses. i'm secretly trying to master them when i'm by myself in the car. love the butter of my lead parts over mike's crispysmooth acoustic guitar. when john kicks on all four it's game over...hold on

Descry:
There's nothing too notable on here for myself as I personally had nothing to do with this song. It's a nice track nonetheless though. I really enjoy the guitar solo from 1:49, it's one of those feel good type of vibes.

mikewhang:
"Wake up wake up wake up, it's the first of the month..."

That used to be my alarm clock in middle school. I would also listen to Bone Thugs while doing homework, while chatting online, and just before going to bed. One
preacher eventually convinced me to throw away all my collection of rap CDs. I kind of regret it.

You can clearly hear the Bone Thug influence on this track. Not just in the flow, but in the lyrical content as well. Bone often sings about the struggle of making it in the ghettos of Cleveland. This song presents the struggles of Christian leadership, fighting off the shame from your own mistakes and dealing with the criticism of other believers.

I have heard too many stories of gifted Christian leaders who fell off the map on account of a few moral failures. My prayer is that the church would be quick to forgive and steadfast enough to see them through a restoration process.

This song is really my personal testimony and lament over mistakes that I made as a young leader in the church.

Also, Dan Chae's background vocals on the chorus are just so nice.

Isaiah 40:29-31
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength...

Proverbs 19:2
It is not good to have zeal without knowledge,
nor to be hasty and miss the way