The Truth of Singing: Beyond Performance

"Relationship is the fundamental truth of this world of appearance." ~ Rabindranath Tagore

I’m working on a song that wasn’t a radio hit. In fact, it was only recorded one time. Still it has stuck with me for decades. I’ve never sung it for anyone except Bonnie. The lyric feels like it could have been written about my own journey. So….. I am going to work on it and share it with the singers I coach at one of our upcoming studio zoom jams. Our monthly get-togethers are a safe, supportive place to take risks.

The emotional truth of the song and Tagore’s quote led me to creating this RiverSong Reflection:

Singing is not just about sound. It’s about presence. It’s about creating something so true, so alive, that time itself seems to pause.

We are trained to perform—to perfect technique, to hit every note, to impress. But artistry is not found in perfection. It is found in connection.

The Power of Presence

Think of a moment when a singer truly moved you. Was it their flawless technique? Or was it something deeper—the raw honesty in their voice, the sense that for those few minutes, nothing else existed?

That’s what makes a song unforgettable. That’s what makes artistry last.

We don’t remember the performance; we remember the feeling.

Stepping Beyond the Surface

It takes courage to let go of the need for approval and step into truth. To sing not just to be heard, but to awaken something in another. To trust that  a voice filled with meaning is more powerful than a voice chasing perfection.

- Sing for connection, not applause.

- Sing with truth, not just precision.

- Sing to reach people, not just to be admired.

Art as a Bridge

Music is not a solo act—it’s a conversation. Every song is an invitation, every voice is a bridge. To sing is to *give* something of yourself, to create something real in the space between performer and listener.

So the next time you sing, don’t just aim for a flawless performance. Aim for presence.

Step beyond technique. Step beyond appearance. Step into the moment where artistry becomes timeless.

That’s where the real magic happens.

Singing is not about self advertising, it’s about connection.

RiverSong Reflections

~Patrick Cunningham