Here for You
We’re gonna make it through together
You and I
We’ll find our way
The COVID-19 pandemic could not stop the music for artists who sang our health system’s theme song in tribute to our front line health care workers.
WATCH Music Video: You and I, Together
More than 20 different artists worldwide recorded their performances from home studios. The music video was released on social media as a “a huge shout out to all the first responders and front line,” said Robin Horlock, a Detroit-based singer and songwriter.
“I’m sitting here in a studio playing music while you all are out there saving everyone’s life, literally. Thank you all so much,” said L.A. musician Andy Grush before belting out the opening lyrics – Here for you… we’re gonna make it through together.
Jeff Dittenber dedicated his rendition of the song to his wife, Val Dittenber, an RN at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland, and “all of the health care workers out there who are fighting for everybody.”
The remix started when Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Michele Szczypka reached out to the original song’s writers, Dan Yessian along with his son, Brian, and Chris Plansker (arrangement), with an idea to raise the spirits of St. Joe’s and Mercy Health colleagues serving on the front line of the response.
They sent the track to numerous friends in the music business. It wasn’t long before music started to pour in from cities and towns throughout Michigan, and even from New York City, Los Angeles, Sydney, Australia and Hamburg, Germany.
“As we deal with COVID the words ring true, now more than ever,” Szczypka said. “We are so grateful for our friends in the music community whose live performances were halted by the pandemic, but who are selflessly doing what they do best to bring comfort and joy to others.”
Watch full renditions of select artists from the video (link to YouTube playlist)
About the song
“You and I, Together” was originally produced in 2006 as an instrumental score for St. Joseph Mercy commercials. Dan Yessian composed the melody and Chris Plansker arranged the music. In 2011, lyrics were added for a television show, “At the Heart of Medicine.” The song won a Michigan Emmy Award in 2012 for lyrics co-written by Yessian, Szczypka, Don Montgomery and Mary Letters.
Over the years numerous versions were created for commercials, radio, television and on-hold music. In 2018 Mercy Health adopted the theme song for its marketing campaigns.
We thank the following artists for sharing their immense talent for this song, and we’re proud to share their full renditions on our St. Joe’s YouTube Playlist:
- Erin Accomando / Voice / Centerline, MI
- Steve Acho / Voice / West Bloomfield, MI
- Matt Callaway / Guitar / Monroe, MI
- Mark Chu / Guitar & Voice / Los Angeles
- Patrick Curry / Voice / White Lake, MI
- Jeff Dittenber / Guitar & Voice / Berkley, MI
- Jarrett Farkas / Guitar / New York
- Ardis Grace / Voice/ Harrison Township, MI
- Andy Grush / Guitar & Voice / Los Angeles
- Robin Horlock / Guitar & Voice / Detroit, MI
- Adam James / Drums / Royal Oak, MI
- Cindee Lish / Voice / Northville, MI
- Cassia Montgomery / Voice / Truckee, CA
- Jason Phelps / Bass / Ann Arbor, MI
- Christopher Plansker / Film Editor & Harmonica / Grosse Pointe Park, MI
- Bobby Streng / Saxophone / Ann Arbor, MI
- Steve Talaga / Piano / Grand Rapids, MI
- Colton Weatherston / Guitar / Philadelphia, PA
- Hugh Wilson / Voice / Australia
- Helena Schmitz & Lukas Lehmann / Voice & Piano / Germany
YOU AND I TOGETHER –FULL SING LYRICS
We bring hope
We bring love
We bring our strength
And all we’re made of
Here for you
We’re gonna make it through together
You and I
We’ll find our way
By your side
We’ll be with you now and ever
You and I, together
We’ll care for you with all we know
And all that we can do
To give you strength,
We’re here to get you through
And with every step you make
And every dream you dream
You have so much more to give
And so much life to live
And we’ll be –
By you side
Together we will make it better
You and I
Together
We will care for you
We will comfort you
We’re here for you
In everything we do…
We bring hope
We bring love
We bring our strength
And all we’re made of –
You and I, together
Together (you and I)
Together (you and I)
Together (you and I)
Together.
