State of Mind song ‘Whatever is Today, There is Tomorrow’ written by Greg Mulholland launched in Mental Health Awareness Week
State of Mind are today, in Mental Health Awareness Week 2020, launching a new song ‘Whatever is Whatever is Today, There is Tomorrow’ to highlight both the State of Mind message to ‘Let it Out’ and also the challenges of lockdown to people’s mental health.
Watch the FILM here www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma75owHAyX4
The concept of Whatever is Today, There is Tomorrow is that whatever anyone of us have to go through or feel like today, tomorrow will arrive, there will always be a new day and there is hope, an important message during the challenges of lockdown.
State of Mind have produced a video using photographs of empty streets, towns and rugby league grounds to represent lockdown, but then as the song moves from despair to hope, there are photographs of the work of State of Mind volunteers and the rugby league community and society back together again enjoying sport and supporting each other. The photographs were supplied by many rugby league fans and clubs, following a request to the rugby league community from State of Mind.
Whatever is Today, There is Tomorrow is inspired by the powerful testimonies given at State of Mind presentations and follows the journey from despair through hope, then opening up and talking, to sharing with teammates, family and friends and overcoming the challenges together. The song starts with that moment of lonely darkness many of us sometimes feel, but then the light in the tunnel, the candle turns out to be the core State of Mind message: that whatever the challenges, there is hope.
There is a strong sporting and rugby league analogy in the lyrics, “together we will tackle it”, “we will all help each other cross the line” but they also work for anyone in any walk of life – mental health and suicide prevention are things we that society must tackle.
The song focuses on the fact that many people, especially men, find it hard to or are reluctant to talk about mental health issues, depression, loss, grief – but that opening up and talking to someone is key, “just open up your heart and talking is a start” and. “Remember you just need to let it out!”. The uplifting positive feel of the chorus represents those who we can turn to – including State of Mind – and our teammates (whether literal or metaphorical) who want to help us and will if we share our problems, feelings and challenges. “Oh, whatever is today, there is tomorrow, you know we’re here today and here tomorrow”. The “we” refers to friends and family but also to State of Mind, who are indeed there to help people through.
Whatever is Today, There is Tomorrow strongly focuses on how we as friends and as communities can get through challenges “as teammates and as friends”, which also works well with the theme of Mental Health Awareness Week 2020, which is kindness.
The song was written by singer-songwriter Greg Mulholland, a rugby league fan and Masters player, who was formerly the Chair of the Parliamentary Rugby League Group for seven years. Greg wrote the song following a challenge to write a song for State of Mind by Co-Founder of State of Mind, Malcolm Rae OBE Greg was inspired by the moving of powerful testimonies of Brian Carney, Danny Sculthorpe and Jimmy Gittins to the Rugby League Group. The song has been performed by Greg and fellow musician and songwriter Dave McKendrick, who also recorded and produced the track. The video was produced by State of Mind’s Owen Cotterell.
Commenting Jimmy Gittins former player and State of Mind presenter said:
“Having an uplifting song with such poignant words and linked to the pictures over the years about what we have achieved is outstanding. Its been an amazing journey and I am really looking forward to the next stages of improving people’s mental fitness.”
Commenting, Dr Phil Cooper MBE, State of Mind Trustee and Co-Founder said:
“State of Mind Sport are immensely humbled and honoured by the song written and performed by Greg that was inspired by an All Party Parliamentary Rugby League Group meeting chaired by Greg. We think the messages are fantastic and relevant to everyday experiences and mental health awareness week is an ideal time to release the song. Thank you Greg and Dave McKendrick”
Commenting Greg Mulholland said:
“State of Mind do amazing work highlighting the challenges of mental health that we all can face and using the power to sport to highlight this and bring communities together. I’m honoured to have been asked to write a song for State of Mind and hope that Whatever is Today, There is Tomorrow helps get their vitally important message across.
“I want to thank State of Mind Co-Founder Malcolm Rae for asking me to write a song for State of Mind and Jimmy Gittins, Danny Sculthorpe and Brian Carney for their extraordinarily powerful and courageous testimonies, that inspired me to do so. The State of Mind message is so important and it’s one that everyone needs to hear, understand and support”.
Notes to Editors
1. State of Mind Sport is a charity that harnesses the power of sport to promote POSITIVE mental health among our sportsmen and women, fans and wider communities, and ultimately to prevent suicide. We raise awareness of the issues surrounding mental health and well being and deliver education on the subject to all levels of sport, business, education and community groups. We signpost individuals to where they can receive care and support in their area. First established in UK Super League in 2011, State of Mind Sport is now a much-loved national charity and international movement delivering its message across rugby league, rugby union, multiple other sports, age groups and territories. See https://stateofmindsport.org/
2. The Parliamentary Rugby League Group (APPG) meeting about the State of Mind campaign meeting that inspired the song is covered here. www.rugby-league.com/article/39703/tickets/summer_bash
3. Copyrights as follows: Whatever is Today, There is Tomorrow words/music © Greg Mulholland, recording © Dave McKendrick/Greg Mulholland, video © State of Mind.
4. The full lyrics of the song are:
Whatever is Today, There is Tomorrow
Verse 1
Some days you feel as if there’s no tomorrow
Some days it’s only darkness, fear & pain
Some days the world is weighing on your shoulders
Some days there is no sunshine, only rain
Sub Chorus 1
There’s a tunnel, is there light? A candle in the night?
Oh, whatever is today, there is tomorrow
Verse 2
One day we get that win & feel the glory
Another day, you’re feeling all alone
A different day & game, a different story
Too proud to talk, so suffer on your own
Sub Chorus 2
So just open up your heart and talking is a start
Oh, whatever is today, there is tomorrow
Chorus
You know we stand together, as teammates and as friends
We will all help each other cross the line
and together we can face it, we will get there in the end
Oh, whatever is today, there is tomorrow
Middle 8
Now we’re in this together, we can take it day by day
and step by step, as one, we’ll work it out
Together we will tackle it, together we’ll get through
Remember you just need to let it out!
Verse 3
So know that you have people you can turn to
and know that you need never hold it in
and know that there’s a way out, we will find it
and know that all together we will win
Sub Chorus 3
So together we’ll stand tall, catch each other if we fall
Oh, whatever is today, there is tomorrow
Chorus
You know we stand together, as teammates and as friends
We will all help each other cross the line
and together we can face it, we will get there in the end
Oh, whatever is today, there is tomorrow
Oh, whatever is today, there is tomorrow
Oh you know we’re here today and here tomorrow