Every once in a while, pop music gives us a metaphor so bold, so unexpected, that it becomes unforgettable. To find the roots of my new single Avalanche, we have to rewind the tape all the way back to 1982, when Olivia Newton‑John released her hit single “Heart Attack” from Olivia’s Greatest Hits, Volume 2.

Written by Paul Bliss and Steve Kipner, the song took a physical crisis and transformed it into a metaphor for overwhelming love — the kind that hits suddenly, intensely, and without warning. It became one of Newton‑John’s signature uptempo hits, climbing the charts and proving that a daring metaphor, delivered with conviction, can become pop gold.

That creative boldness stuck with me.

Fast‑forward to 1984, when I was in college, scribbling song ideas anywhere I could find space. That’s when the chorus of “Avalanche” first arrived — a hook built around another powerful natural metaphor. Instead of a heart attack, I imagined love as something massive, unstoppable, and all‑consuming. Something that doesn’t just surprise you — it reshapes everything in its path.

So in 2025, I began crafting new verses — building the story that the chorus had always hinted at. I leaned into the emotional terrain of the metaphor: the slow rumble before everything gives way, the moment you realize you’re falling, the rush of love that sweeps you off your feet and changes the landscape of your life. Each verse added shape, depth, and narrative to the chorus I’d written decades earlier, turning a stand alone hook into a fully realized song.

That’s the shared DNA between these two tracks — one from 1982, one from 2026, both built on the idea that the biggest emotions often need the biggest metaphors.

And now, after decades of waiting, that chorus finally has its moment.

“Avalanche” — the pop version with a hip-hop pulse — releases this Friday, January 9th, on all streaming platforms. It’s the first in a six-week series of genre-spanning versions, each revealing a new emotional angle and sonic identity. Stay tuned — the avalanche is just beginning.

Before You Go…

If you enjoyed this little rewind through music history, feel free to share this post with friends — especially anyone who loves Olivia Newton‑John, 80s pop, or the art of songwriting. Word of mouth is how these stories travel.

And since Avalanche is arriving in multiple styles over the next few weeks, I’d love to know:

Which genre version are you most excited to hear? Pop, country, rock, or something else entirely?