There have been great strides in autism awareness in recent years. But more still needs to be done to ensure there’s support for those on the spectrum as well as their family and friends. For Toronto classical crossover singer Elisa Rose, autism has impacted her family as her son has the condition. Now Rose has taken inspiration from her beloved child with her latest single “You’re My Everything,” a sweet, affecting track that could bring a smile and a tear to one’s eye simultaneously.
Soprano vocalist Rose will perform alongside Songsbury and Elvis tribute artist Bruno Nesci at a benefit concert for Surrey Place on Sept. 12 at The Venetian Banquet Hall in Concord, Ontario; Tickets are $85 and include an open bar and l’antipasto bar. Tickets available here.
The singer says the song’s seed was planted when she covered the song “I Won’t Let You Down” in 2019 for an American Autism organization. “I wanted to celebrate autism awareness here in Canada with a special song,” Rose says. “I composed ‘You’re My Everything’ with singer/songwriter Matt Zaddy dedicated to my son who is on the autism spectrum.”
“You’re My Everything” strikes a deep chord on each listen as Rose’s clear and almost ethereal delivery glides over the gentle, almost magical, cinematic arrangement. The song, produced by Charles Di Raimondo, addresses all the hopes and dreams Rose has for her son alongside the worries and challenges that could await him. In the end, Rose’s performance is spectacular and honest, recalling a singer like the angelic Sarah Brightman working with David Foster.
I love to hear you sing so strong you talk about the things you love
Making me so very proud you’re my everything
Through all the hardships we rose above with open arms and lots of love
Proud to be your mama you’re my everything
Rose says she had a tough time initially finding an appropriate title for the song but eventually it came to the surface. “I remember not having a title for the song, but as Matt and I were working on it, we kept stumbling on ‘you’re my everything’ that I had repeated,” she says. “So, we agreed that would be the title. When working on the song’s final mix before recording it in the studio, Matt and I were nearly in tears at how beautiful the lyrics were.”
Rose, a soprano vocalist who has released classical, pop and crossover music for two decades, will sing at a benefit concert Sept. 12 at The Venetian Banquet Hall in Concord, Ontario. Part of the ticket sale proceeds go to Surrey Place, a Toronto non-profit organization which helps people of all ages with developmental disabilities, special needs and autism. Rose will perform on a bill with Songsbury and Elvis tribute artist Bruno Nesci. Tickets, $85, include an open bar and l’antipasto bar. The concert, which begins at 7 p.m., will be hosted by Giuseppe the MC.
Rose says “You’re My Everything” deals with the roller coaster of emotions families coping with autism have. “Living with autism and being an autism parent is different and unique,” she says. “With a lot of support and love they can, to quote my song, ‘fly and spread their wings, conquer the world, and take in all the beautiful things.'” In short, Elisa Rose has put everything into this moving, honest and emotional single.
