The story behind the song “Our Lady of Love”

This is a 4 part series of how the song “Our Lady of Love” was created:

The Creation of “Our Lady of Love” - Part 1

As we eagerly awaited the release of my new song, "Our Lady of Love," dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary on December 12, 2024—coinciding with the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe—I shared the journey behind its creation.
 
In May 2024, while my wife and I were volunteering at a Eucharistic Miracle exhibit at Saint Anne Catholic Church in Youngsville, Louisiana, I was enchanted by the background music playing during the event. When I inquired about it, I learned it was inspired by the music associated with the Tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
 
 

 

 
Motivated by this beautiful music, I began to weave it into my morning prayer routine. A few days later, I picked up my guitar and experimented with a chord progression. Before long, melodies and lyrics began to emerge, starting with the line, “Our Lady of love, with arms open wide.”. With a humble heart, I sought the Blessed Mother’s guidance as I crafted this heartfelt tribute to her, "Our Lady of Love. I also sought the intercession of Blessed Carlo Acutis’, who will soon be canonized, as he was the one who developed the website on Eucharistic Miracles that served as the foundation for the exhibit.
 
The song was completed in a gradual process that unfolded over several weeks. Lots of praying. As I began to shape the music, verses, and the main chorus, I found myself exploring various prayers dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary online for inspiration. Each day, snippets of the song would come to me as I continued my work.
 
Often, I would wake up in the middle of the night with new ideas for my latest creation, needing to jot them down before they slipped my mind by morning. Bit by bit, the song started to take form, consuming my thoughts and leading to a few sleepless nights—this is typically how new songs come to life for me. Eventually, I crafted the bridge, bringing the piece close to completion. After several weeks of fine-tuning, the song was finally ready.
 

The Creation of “Our Lady of Love” - Part 2

Once I finished fine-tuning and writing the song, I shared my excitement with my wife, expressing that I believed it had the potential to be a hit. However, I often say that about all of my new songs. This time, though, I felt a deep connection; it was as if God revealed to me that this song was a special gift meant to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary for this generation and those to come. I envisioned it as a legacy for my grandkids and their future families, a reminder of me that they could hold onto until we reunite in heaven. Unlike anything I had created before, it felt like a song for the new millennium—a heartfelt dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary that I felt compelled to share with the world. I knew it needed to be recorded professionally.
 
I reached out to a friend who owned a recording studio, someone I had wanted to work with for years. If anyone could bring my vision to life, it was him. I contacted David Smith at Icon Studio Productions in Bluffton, Indiana, and he was thrilled to produce the song, especially given its significance. I shared my ideas with him, and he immediately began crafting the music. He handled everything—background vocals, programming, guitar, keyboard, bass, and electronic strings. Each time he sent me a recording, I was moved to tears; every element was exactly as I had envisioned. As he continued to build this masterpiece, I focused on laying down the main vocals in my own home studio. That’s when things began to get interesting…
 

The Creation of “Our Lady of Love” - Part 3

I quickly noticed some challenges as I began recording my vocals for the song in my home studio. My vocals felt off, and I struggled with confidence. It became clear that my voice was out of shape; occasional choir practices and weekly Mass singing simply weren’t sufficient preparation. I began to feel discouraged and reached a point where I was tempted to abandon this dream.  Seeking guidance, I contacted my producer, who introduced me to a series of vocal exercises, including a technique called Straw Phonation where you actually sing through a straw. He recommended that I practice these exercises daily for two weeks before returning to the studio. As I committed to the regimen, I noticed a significant improvement in my singing confidence. Listening to a recording of my dearest friend Laura Huval, whose guitar playing and vocal strength inspired me, further fueled my motivation. Unfortunately, just as I was gaining momentum, I caught a sinus infection that delayed my progress for another week, but eventually, I was able to successfully record my vocals.
 
Then, out of nowhere, the idea struck me to transform the song into a duet. I later recognized this inspiration as divinely guided. I shared my vision with my producer and suggested his wife, Teresa, who has a lovely singing voice, as my duet partner. I explained that I had never heard a Marian song performed as a duet, and I was convinced that if we recorded it this way, choirs everywhere would be eager to sing it. My excitement grew as I envisioned the duet’s structure: I would sing the first verse, Teresa would take the second, and we would alternate on the bridge, and sing together on the second and final chorus. It truly felt like the perfect finishing touch!
 
The Creation of “Our Lady of Love” - My Final Thoughts..

Writing and recording "Our Lady of Love" has been an incredible journey filled with passion, creativity, and a deep sense of purpose. From crafting the lyrics and melodies, the chord charts meticulously arranged, to having the sheet music created by Brian McLinden, this process has been a labor of love, marked by countless Rosaries, fervent prayers, and a few sleepless nights.

Collaborating with my producer, David Smith, has been an enriching experience as we worked together—mostly thanks to his expertise—to create a recording that captures the essence of the song. The joy of recording a duet with his talented wife, Teresa, added an additional layer of beauty to this project. David's efforts in producing a stunning video brought the song to life in a remarkable way. This song is more than just music; it’s a heartfelt offering for the new millennium—a dream realized and a journey I will cherish forever.

The phrase "Our Lady of Love" was not part of my vocabulary until now. I genuinely believe that the Blessed Mother has bestowed this new title upon herself for the world to embrace. Can I humbly accept the notion that Mary, the Mother of God, has inspired a Cajun from New Iberia, Louisiana to share this beautiful song and title with humanity? I sincerely believe that when God created me, He blessed me with a unique gift of musical talent, allowing me to compose this beautiful song of devotion to the Blessed Mother for our present time in history. This composition invites all to embrace her message of hope and kindness, reminding us that just as God is love, Our Lady serves as a guiding light on our journey to embody that love in our lives.

I have never been so excited about a song I’ve written. In the days leading up to the release date, I felt a nervous flutter in my stomach, a mix of anticipation and joy. 

This song is my gift to God, honoring His Blessed Mother Mary, who always leads us to her son, Jesus. It is a tribute to the talent He has bestowed upon me, enabling me to worship Him through music for so many years. It is also a legacy for my grandchildren—a piece of my heart that they can hold onto until we reunite in Heaven. This song is a gift to the world, an invitation to draw closer to Jesus by honoring His Blessed Mother. After all, who wouldn’t want to honor their mother? May the spirit of Our Lady of Love reside in our hearts forever.

But this is just the beginning. I pray and hope that you will stand with me and help share this song with the world. You can be a part of this journey, spreading the message of love and hope that it carries.

All praise, glory, and honor to God!

Mark Hargrave