Singer-Songwriter Harry Hannah Tells The Story Of True Love On “Orion and Alya”
True love can be a very powerful thing. It can make you feel complete and provide you with purpose and strength. It’s something that you can’t let go of when you have it, and Harry Hannah certainly shows why in his latest single called “Orion and Alya.”
Even before the words come out of the lead singer, Harry Hannah’s mouth, you can feel the love through the piano keys as it gently sways your mind into a sense of calm and then you hear the lyrics begin: “Darling I got a lot of feelings on my mind. Thinking you’re the one that I might never ever leave behind. And I think I can admit that even if you doubt that.”
“Orion and Alya” is a true love song as it opens with Hannah expressing deep feelings and thoughts about someone he cares about. As the folk singer/songwriter from the north end of Ontario’s, Northumberland Hills, continues to the chorus, he mentions the stars in the sky and how they would be nothing compared to having the person they love.
“All the stars in the sky.
Oh they’re yours but if I had you.
I’d be Orion.
We could dance we could fly.
Out in the night sky.
I’d be.
Your Orion.
My Alya.”
When describing the beautifully constructed chorus, Hannah explains,
“Orion is one of my favourite winter constellations, so I figured I’d take a page from his book. Some say he’s a huntsman and some have called him the Archer of Hearts, so I kind of took that concept and ran with it in my own direction.”
The lyrics on this newly released single express a desire to dance and fly with this person’s true love under the stars, signifying their deep love and connection. Alya represents that connection as Hannah continues to describe his meaning of her by saying “Alya, in this case, represents Artemis – the goddess of Chastity, Hunting, and the Moon. Some tales say she’s Orion’s only true love, just like my (love for the province of) Alberta.”
Known as “The Cobourg Folkster” by some, Hannah wears his heart on his sleeve on this latest track and leaves all his emotions out for everyone to hear. This romantic, yet optimistic classic hits with a catchy beat expressed by the singer’s deep love for someone he truly cares about.
Hannah sums it all up by saying,
“I think finding true love can make you feel larger than life in some cases. I’ve felt that before. After you lose it, or even just without it, you don’t feel whole – existentially lost among stars if I’m getting dramatic.”
Watch the lyric video for “Orion and Alya” below and learn more about Harry Hannah via our mini-interview.
Hi Harry! You’ve been in this space before, so what’s been going on since your last single?
Yes, it’s great to be back! Lately, I’ve been keeping busy playing my songs at the local venues here in Cobourg, where my community knows me best. I’ve been working hard on expanding my radius by exploring the music scenes around southern Ontario, so there should be lots more songs, shows, and exciting things to come from me.
Tell us about the process of writing “Orion and Alya.”
Yea, this song was a little different for me. I slowed things down a bit and wanted to take the story a little further than the last. I was spending a lot of time here in Northumberland feeling existentially lost and felt I needed to write one last love letter to that someone special. So this was it. I reference the characters “Orion and Alya” to attempt to get that message across.
“Orion and Alya” is a pretty heavy title.
Yea, it was a bold move, honestly. I relate with these characters, so I figured I’d get a little dramatic and take them to the stars.
What are your plans for the Spring?
To debut my full EP – the wild side of a feel-good town.
Glad you see you’ve made it past COVID. What did you learn about yourself since then?
I’m not immune to cabin fever. It makes for good songs, but it can be hard on my mentality. Fresh air can be your best friend at times. Music is my life, and without the friends, venues, and spaces to support that, I get a little lost for sure.