The February song

New Groove

Two and a half years ago, my eldest son packed his bags and left home to study in Brussels. The city he now owns. He was ready. So, I let him go.

Last September, it happened again. My second son packed his things, said his goodbyes, and stepped into his own new life.

By now, it’s a routine. Packing up, making sure they have what they need. Fruit, some cheese, a few home comforts tucked into their bags. A quick hug, a last reminder, and off they go. Their clothes are clean, their backpacks are full, and they’re eager to get back to their independent lives.

Letting go is never easy, but it’s part of the deal. They grow, they move on, they find their own way. I miss them both more than I admit, but that’s not the point. The point is seeing them stand on their own two feet, creating their own rhythm, their own groove.

The artwork for New Groove refers to the line “we send pictures of cats”. That’s how we stay connected—small moments, little check-ins. A funny meme, a quick “mama, what spices go in this?”, or even “mama, I need your advice…”. That ongoing conversation, those everyday messages, they keep us close. A thread that never breaks, no matter how far they go.

I dedicate this song to all mothers and fathers, and to all children finding their new groove.

 

New Groove by Yuna Mas

Song Lyrics & credits

Yuna Mas - 'New Groove'

Lyrics

He packs all his stuff

He has just enough

Or do you?

I say

 

Five big apples and cheese

Anything you please

It’s for you

I say

 

Off he goes with a bag

And a heavy backpack

All his clothes are clean

 

The kissing is quick

He is never homesick

He’s just very keen

He is

 

Look at him

He found his life

His new groove

His own thing

Look at him

He’s ready now

He can do

Anything

 

He knew every street

Found our hood real sweet

But even so

He said

 

He wanted to move

Looking for a new groove

And himself in one go

He said

 

So he packed his clothes

A few plants and some prose

Acquired kitchenware

 

The kissing was quick

Mom, I won’t be homesick

I just need the air

I do

 

Look at him

He found his life

His new groove

His own thing

Look at him

He’s ready now

He can do

Anything

 

Now he’s leaving first base

Looking for a new place

Cruising the city

That’s his now

 

He rules his own show

We just watch him grow

Owning the city

That’s his now

 

All the facetimes and chats

We send pictures of cats

He needs a recipe

 

When he’s home we hang

He says he likes our old gang

We are the family

Yes we are

 

Look at him

He found his life

His new groove

His own thing

Look at him

He’s ready now

He can do

Anything

 

Look at him

He found his life

His new groove

His own thing

Look at him

He’s ready now

 

Copyright: Aline Juliá

Credits

Written, composed and sung by Aline Juliá.

Arranged and produced by all of us

Jan Hautekiet – piano & keyboards

Pieter Vereertbrugghen – drum & percussion

Dirk De Groef – guitar

Koen Vanbets – bass

Milos Willemse Juliá – euphonium

Dmitri Dijkstra – trumpets

Barbara Pieters – sax

Yannic Fonderie – vocal production

Dirk Lekenne – recording engineer/mixer