Carissa does Songwriting- About the song "Strong Like the Whiskey."

I have written a lot of songs, but no, I do not play the songs on repeat in my cd player or stream. I rarely ever listen to myself.

When I moved to Nashville, I had only written my songs, my way on my own time. My way wasn't working. Although I had notebooks of songs, some of which a few friends and family seemed to dig, none of my music had gone far.

The cool thing to do in Music City is "co-write," which felt very planned and something I am not good at doing. How do I know three weeks in advance if I will feel like writing a song the last Thursday of the month at 3 pm with people I hardly know?

Music is a therapy to me and song ideas just hit me randomly, usually in a very awkward or emotional moment. I figured others knew more than me about Nashville's songwriting process, so I looked into trying a co-writing session. I was so outside my comfort zone I almost cancelled the planned session last minute.

I am thankful I followed through because the result, this song, "Strong Like The Whiskey," was born.
I believe God knew I'd need the song to get me through what was about to come in my life. The lyrics were collaborated by past experiences relatable by all three of us lady writers (Khiana Meyer/PJ Ju).

The topic of whiskey was brought up as a concept in the session due to my routine of carrying whiskey along with me at all times. I carry the whiskey in case my soul needed soothing due to sadness, awkwardness or anxiety.

Over the years I have learned to turn to faith yet, right or wrong, the taste of whiskey soothes me.

My parents raised me as a strong and independent woman. I am forever grateful to my two biggest fans, who were hands down my favorite humans on the planet.

When I lost them, dad, to cancer and my mother mentally to early dementia. I questioned life, my purpose and my strength to get through it. Many of my original songs, including this one, were inspired in some way by the situations evolved and emotion I experienced during the loss of my parents.

Three years after this song was written with two other gals in a small Nashville apartment; I sat in my car, alone, on the side of the road and cried to the song on repeat. I needed the reminder that I am "Strong Like the Whiskey," because today I was feeling the complete opposite. Defeated, deflated, exhausted, hopeless, and broken.

I still visit the shell of my mother who still suffers from dementia on a daily. The disease is heartbreaking and destroying everyone in its path. It comes with a hopeless feeling.

I continue to have high highs and low lows emotionally. Aside from the previously described losses, I have experienced a lot of rejection in career situations, and often feel "stuck at a dead end."

Not to mention the financial stress of life which can take a toll as well.

We all have our struggles and celebrations.
This song guides me through some tough times. Maybe it can help others remind themselves to hold on to confidence, hope, and faith. If you found yourself reading this, I bet it was meant to be. Please be inspired by the lyrics:

Sometimes I take a shot

Leave my heart on the rocks

It gets shaken and bruised

I try but I stumble 

Gets hard to swallow

When I’m hurt n’ confused

I pour a little bit

To take off the edge 

So I don’t forget.. I’m

Strong like the whiskey

The taste that taught me

To handle the burns 

You sip and you learn

To face the truth

Til it goes down smooth 

The struggles, the heartaches 

All of the mistakes 

Meant to make me 

Strong like the whiskey

Sometimes I celebrate

When things don’t go my way

I know there’s better to come

Hard times, I take ‘em straight

Tap into a little faith

Got proof, life goes on, I’m

Strong like the whiskey

The taste that taught me

To handle the burns 

You sip and you learn

To face the truth

Til it goes down smooth 

The struggles, the heartaches 

All of the mistakes 

Meant to make me 

Strong like the whiskey

Bring on the bitter

Bring on the bite

I get stronger with time

Just like the whiskey

The taste that taught me

To handle the burns 

You sip and you learn

To face the truth

Til it goes down smooth 

The struggles, the heartaches 

All of the mistakes 

Meant to make me 

Strong like the whiskey

Find this song on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=carissa+biele&ref=nb_sb_noss
CD Baby: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/carissabiele1