Coming July 2026
Requiem for Earth
The Stories
How the recording was made — including exactly where AI was, and wasn't, used — and why the song moves people the way it does. In Michael's own words.
The Recording Story
How this recording was made
I composed Requiem for Earth (lyrics and music) so long ago that I have recordings on cassette as well as on CD and mp3. I've recorded it many times with great musicians. Others have recorded it and it has been performed publicly, including (and beautifully) by the Kent Junior Choir.
I know the song is very special, but I've never felt the production was special enough. Then recording engineers suggested using AI as a tool to give the recording a polished finish. So we used my voice with AI to replicate the vocals I'd performed on the many previous recordings. Much the same with the instrumentals. I had no qualms about this because I know I can and will perform the song myself and with the contributing musicians. And because what always matters most to me is the quality of the version I release to the world.
My strong belief is that humans need to retain creative control of music and be able to claim 100% authorship of any song. AI should play no part in composition. If it does, then this should be declared. But if AI is used as just another tool in the evolving toolkit of recording studio technology, then there's no issue, especially if the goal is to release the best possible version of the song. Music and technology co-evolve. That's just the way it is.
This approach reflects Michael's three commitments as a songwriter — including his commitment to be willing, if necessary, to sing any song bearing his name, proving it's his voice.
"It's not a political song. It's a love song for a planet in peril."
The Purpose Story
Why the song was written
I wrote Requiem for Earth with full awareness of what we were doing to the beautiful planet that sustains us all: causing huge environmental damage, destroying wild places and wildlife.
At the same time in my life, several of those I loved were suffering or dying. Gradually, it dawned on me that I was responding to Earth's suffering just as I was to the suffering of people. And I thought: there must be millions who feel the same. What they love and cherish is threatened with death.
It's that insight that helped explain the power of the song to move people, often to tears. This gave me great hope, because we are always motivated to protect the things we love.
So, fundamentally, Requiem for Earth is not a political song. It's a love song for a planet in peril. And the proper response to it? To protect more than protest.