Sharon Rose - "You Matter Today" (Munby + Mutale Reed)
Channel: Munby and Mutale Reed
Date: 11/05/2020

Hamilton star Sharon Rose sings "You Matter Today" from STOP: A New Musical.

Performed by Sharon Rose
Music by Leo Munby
Lyrics by Annabel Mutale Reed
Music production by Jack Trzcinski
Video editing by Annabel Mutale Reed

“You Matter Today” is an anthem, inspired by the #blacklivesmatter movement. Martha and her husband James are Black British lawyers, who are struggling to deal with the racial prejudices they each face. Martha struggles with alcoholism, and James is suicidal. Martha sings “You Matter Today” to James, and saves them both.

Leo Munby and Annabel Mutale Reed are collaborating with West End stars to record songs from STOP, a new musical written under the mentorship of Claude-Michel Schönberg. The show is about four people at a bus stop who each find the strength to overcome problems affecting their mental health and wellbeing.

With the NHS under more pressure than ever, and lockdown measures placing extra challenges on people with mental health problems, we believe that there has never been a more important time to share STOP. We wrote the show with the support of mental health charity SANE, and NHS Clinical Psychologist Dr. Helen Beckwith, and at the time our mission was to give a voice to ordinary people who are struggling with mental health issues. Unsupported, each of the characters at the bus stop could have gone down the wrong path and ended their lives. By taking time to reflect, making human connections, and seeking support, they find a better way. 

Our mission for this project is to share the message with as many people as possible; you are not alone, you matter, and you can find a way through even the most difficult times. We are also raising money for SANE and would be grateful for any donation:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/munby-mutale-reed

You Matter Today - LYRICS

OUR FAMILIES AREN’T BROKEN.
WE DESCEND FROM KINGS AND QUEENS.
BLACK MOTHERS AREN’T JUST MOTHERS,
AND DON’T LIVE IN EXTREMES.
AND A MAN WHO’S MENTALLY ILL AND BLACK
WHISPERS BEFORE HE SCREAMS.
SO I PROMISE I’LL LISTEN HARD,
AND I’LL NEVER DISREGARD
YOUR WORRIES AND DREAMS.

YOU MATTER TODAY
YOU’RE LOVED AND YOU’RE HEARD
YOU’RE THE AIR IN THE TREES
YOU’RE THE WARMTH ON THE BREEZE
AND YOU DON’T HAVE TO UTTER A WORD.
EXCELLENCE ISN’T A DUTY
YOU JUST HAVE TO BE.
YOU MATTER TODAY
YOU MATTER TO ME.

OUR DAUGHTER
WILL FIND A PLACE,
ON A PLANET THAT UNDERVALUES HER
AND THE COLOUR OF HER FACE.
SHE’LL LEARN THAT ON THIS PLANET,
THAT COLOUR IS CALLED HER RACE
AS SHE LISTENS AND OBSERVES
SHE’LL ASK IF SHE DESERVES
TO BE TAKING UP SPACE.

BUT HER MOTHER AND FATHER WILL ALWAYS BE THERE TO
SAY;

"YOU MATTER TODAY
YOU’RE LOVED AND YOU’RE HEARD
YOU’RE THE MOUNTAINS ON MARS
YOU’RE DUST FROM THE STARS
AND YOU DON’T HAVE TO UTTER A WORD
EXCELLENCE ISN’T A DUTY
YOU JUST HAVE TO BE.
YOU MATTER TODAY
YOU MATTER TO ME."

AS WE BURY OUR BROTHERS AND SONS
AND OUR SISTERS CAN’T COME UP FOR AIR
 WE LOOK TO OUR FELLOW HUMANS, AND NOBODY SEEMS TO CARE.
IF WE’RE ANYTHING OTHER THAN PERFECT
IT’S EASY TO DESPAIR
AND TO START TO BELIEVE THAT IT JUST WOULDN’T MATTER
IF WE WEREN’T THERE.

I MATTER TODAY
I MAKE A CHOICE.
TO REJOICE IN THE FACT THAT I’M BREATHING
AND RAISE MY VOICE.
AND SAY;
WE MATTER TODAY.

WE’RE THE DISTANT HORIZON,
THE BLUES OF THE SKIES AND
GRAVITY.
EXCELLENCE ISN’T A DUTY
WE JUST HAVE TO BE.
WE MATTER TODAY
WE’RE FAMILY

LOOK, I JUST KNOW THAT SOME THINGS ARE TRUE
AND I KNOW THAT I MATTER TO YOU.
AND I KNOW IT’S NOT EASY TO TALK WHEN YOU’RE FEELING THIS WAY
BUT JUST KNOW THAT YOU MATTER TO ME
YOU MATTER TODAY.