Lea Salonga (R) and two background singers perform “Dream Again”. Image: Instagram/@msleasalonga
Lea Salonga released a new song called “Dream Again” to help raise funds for COVID-19 relief efforts across the globe.
The Tony Award-winning singer-actress debuted the upbeat track and its music video exclusively on Hollywood Life last Friday, Aug. 21.
She explained that the tune was inspired by what people wish to do when the pandemic and the quarantine measures are gone.
“There was this idea that once all the physical distancing was done, that we may be able to focus on getting things back to normal and aspire and dream for those things to happen in our lives again after being holed up for so long,” Salonga was quoted as saying.
“The significance of ‘Dream Again’ would be that, while we’re stuck in quarantine or lockdown or whatever it may be, we still can actually aspire and look forward to and plan in the hopes that once all of this is done, we’ll be ready for you to make all those dreams come true,” she added.
The accompanying music video featured Salonga performing the hopeful song alongside two background singers and two musicians, as seen on her Instagram page on the same day.
It also showed people holding up sheets of paper that stated what they dreamed of doing when the pandemic is over and strict social distancing guidelines are relaxed. Many expressed their desire to hug their loved ones, to return to school and to perform on stage again.
The singer noted that the new track was produced with the help of an international crew through video calls. Songwriter Blair Bodine and composer Daniel Edmonds wrote the tune’s lyrics while Edmonds composed the music.
Salonga also worked with her daughter, Nicole Chien, on the song’s release. She pointed out that Chien had illustrated the cover art for the new single, which Salonga posted on her Facebook page yesterday, Aug. 22.
“At first she was a little hesitant,” Salonga said in the report. “Then one fine day she presents this artwork to me, and I showed [my manager] Josh and he said, ‘That’s absolutely perfect, we’re using it for the cover.’ When I told her, the smile on her face was so wide.”
Proceeds from the song will be donated to various COVID-19 relief efforts. Among the initiatives Salonga is backing through her new release is The Actor’s Fund. The said group is a United States-based nonprofit organization that aids professionals in the entertainment industry, according to its Facebook page.
“I think the Actor’s Fund absolutely is important because of how many people they have helped already all throughout its history. The Actors Fund doesn’t just help actors, they help anybody in the entertainment industry and have offered so much financial assistance over the years,” Salonga pointed out. “So, to be able to keep helping them to help other people, that’s never a bad thing.” Ryan Arcadio/JB
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