“Message in a Bottle,” starring Kevin Costner and Robin Wright Penn, was a successful movie that reached the screens in 1999. Its parent soundtrack was executive produced by David Foster and released on his 143 Records label. The soundtrack was a varied pop/rock collection that included many big names like Sheryl Crow, Clannad, Marc Cohn, Sarah McLachlan, Hootie & the Blowfish, plus a few orchestral excerpts from Gabriel Yared’s music for the movie. Foster also had a hand in producing a few pivotal moments of the soundtrack like Faith Hill’s “Let Me Let Go.” This song is an exquisite ballad that keeps some of Hill’s country roots while crossing over in the pop/adult contemporary fields. “Let Me Let Go” reached the top 40 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and was also a top ten on the Adult Contemporary chart. “Let Me Let Go,” as well as Laura Pausini’s “One More Time,” are perfectly arranged by Foster and performed with intensity by these two gifted singers. The atmosphere here is very close to Foster’s chart topping works for Céliné Dion and Barbra Streisand. There are also a couple of moments of particular interest, especially “Somewhere in the Middle” performed by newcomers Nine Sky Wonder. It is a fresh, modern rock thing with an infectious refrain that clearly benefits from Foster’s pristine production. This song and Anna Nordell’s ethereal “I’ll Still Love You Then,” co-written by Foster with Yared and Linda Thompson, find the Canadian super-producer in a different musical scenario, yet he leaves his distinguished thumbprint on the production. Foster always draws amazing performances from the artists and compliments them with high-tech sound quality, once again showing he is a master at his craft.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/somewhere_in_the_middle.mp3|titles=Somewhere in the middle|artists=Nine Sky Wonder]

Performed by Nine Sky Wonder
Guitars: Randy Jackson & Bob Thiele
Bass: Lee Sklar
Drums: Matt Chamberlain
Drum Programming: David Wyman
Cello: Kevin Buck
Keyboards: David Foster
Background Vocals: Nine Sky Wonder & Tyia Wilson
Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

Hangin’ there beautiful
I can’t help but look
Your way
Hangin’ let’s take it slow
I’m not one to go
Too fast

I’m drawn to your innocence
I’m drawn

Chorus
Every time you look at me and smile
I fall in just a little
I can’t tell between my heart and mind
I’m somewhere in the middle

You make everything so enchanting
Like a fairy tale
I guess I should say
I am so afraid of this

I’m scared of letting go
Don’t wanna be alone

Chorus

In my dreams
In my prayers
In my soul
Wish that I had more control
I don’t think I’m ready yet
Everytime I take a step
Wanting more to be with you
I’m drawn to you

Chorus