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The Story Behind “Whispers to Refrains” — A Song for the Unsung Heroes

  • Writer: Justin Sajan Francis
    Justin Sajan Francis
  • Apr 24
  • 3 min read

Album Art of Whispers to Refrains
Album Art of Whispers to Refrains

It all began on a quiet Saturday evening.

I had just wrapped up a long day of teaching at JSF Music Academy and was unwinding, scrolling through Instagram and Facebook reels. What I saw next left a deep imprint on me—clip after clip, I witnessed the unspoken struggles of men and single mothers: a man with one hand carrying a pile of firewood, another dressed in traditional attire trying to sell clothes to uninterested shoppers, a sanitation worker stepping into a drainage to earn a living. Each image felt like a punch to the heart.

In those moments, I cried—not out of pity, but out of recognition. These weren’t just strangers; they were reflections of millions who wake up every day and fight battles no one talks about. That night, one thought kept echoing in my mind: We have so many songs celebrating mothers and women—but what about the men and single mothers silently holding the world together? That thought became the heartbeat of my next song.

Initially, I wanted to write a slow, melancholic piece—something sorrowful to match the emotion. But then I changed direction. I didn’t want this to be a song of sadness. I wanted it to be an anthem—a song that lifts, empowers, and tells the struggling souls out there: You’re not alone. You’re stronger than you think. You can make it.

The turning point came when I was listening to one of my all-time favorite tracks, “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd. That retro, synth-pop vibe inspired me to shape this message with powerful beats and electronic textures. The very next day, while teaching a keyboard class online, a spontaneous melody slipped from my fingers—it was catchy, emotional, and perfect. That tune became the core of the chorus, and from there, everything flowed.

Now, I’ll admit—I’m not the best lyricist. So instead of writing formal lyrics, I poured my heart out in paragraphs about everything I felt after watching those reels. Then, with the help of AI tools and hours of tweaking, editing, and aligning it with my melody, the final lyrics were born.

Within four days of finalizing the words, I had recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered the full song. I wanted it to sound like a throwback to the ‘80s—bright synths, driving beats, and even a touch of soft choir, as a subtle nod to my love for gospel music.

And because this song means so much to me, I wanted the visuals to reflect its soul. That’s when I found Yousseff M, a gifted video editor who specializes in animated lyric videos. He brought my vision to life with custom hand-drawn sketches that illustrate the song’s journey frame by frame. A huge shoutout to him for making this possible.

“Whispers to Refrains” is more than just a track—it’s a tribute.

It’s for every man who sacrifices silently. Every single mother who plays both roles. Every person fighting their own demons just to make ends meet. If you're someone like me—working day and night to give your loved ones a better life—this one’s for you.

All three of my original singles—The Unending Hope, The Agony of Life, and now Whispers to Refrains—are available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and all major streaming platforms.

🎧 Release Date: April 27, 2025

🔔 Don’t forget to follow, share, and stream. This anthem was made for you.

 
 
 

2 Comments


Namita Kirankumar
Namita Kirankumar
Apr 24

Congratulations Justin..such a heartfelt message. I'm sure the songs are going to resonate not only with those facing and fighting their battles but every person who is empathetic like you. Waiting for your songs. Might I add it feels so proud and happy to see you, my student doing so well. May all your endeavors be blesses by God and may you soar to success. Wishing you all the best . My prayers and blessings with you always.👍👍💐💐

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Justin Sajan Francis
Justin Sajan Francis
Apr 24
Replying to

Thank you so much mam 😊 Means a lot 😍

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