I recently completed a rewrite of “I Remember Tampa”, which I began working on earlier in the year. I wanted to create a keepsake for everyone who visits during Super Bowl LV. The original version of the song addresses a love for Tampa from the perspective of someone who has either grown up here, or has spent a substantial amount of time here, and laments the changes that have occurred, idealizing the past…longing for qa Tampa that no longer exists. The “new” version is more “for the moment”…written from the perspective of someone who visited Tampa, and fell in love with the city, the way she is right now. Gone from the refrain is “I’m a Tampa Native”, and in its place, “I’m in love with Tampa.” It addresses the visitor’s desire to keep coming back…frequently. The pics speak for themselves, describing why Tampa is so appealing…so lovable. They were all downloaded from VisitTampaBay.com. I also used some video that a friend of mine shot a few years ago. As a matter of fact, it was the year that the Republican National Convention was held here, so you will see a short clip that references it. I uploaded several versions of the song, with varying lyrical ideas. They are all available on the I Remember Tampa YouTube channel I created.
“This love affair was meant grow, this endless bound, now, don’t you know.”
I’ve written many songs, but this one will always have a special place in my heart. It’s the greatest gift that I can give back to Tampa for all the special moments and memories she’s given me.
I Remember Tampa
Available online at…
Amazon Music: https://www.amazon.com/I-Remember-Tam…
YouTube: https://youtu.be/W9tmi7chtpw
ITunes: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/bal…
Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/7Rm1jY6DS7
Credits
Written and Recorded by Mike Baluja
Executive Producer: William Epps
Creative Director: Mario Nuñez
Recorded and Produced at Paris Recording Studio
Owner and Sound Engineer: Eric Maldonado
Arranger and Bass Guitar: Kevin Pagan
Drums/Percussion: Luis Alicea
Trumpets: Luis Chafalote
Piano: Yassel Pupo Alonso
Guitar: Levi Lopez
Lead Vocal: Mike Baluja
Back Up Vocals: Mario Nuñez