A Q&A With the Sounds Like Summer Song Contest Promotion Winner, Jan Kølle

“Across the world” 
By Jan Kølle
Interview by American Songwriter

Jan Kølle is the American Songwriter Sounds Like Summer Lyric Contest Promotion winner for his song “Across the world.” American Songwriter caught up with Jan to get the story behind his Summer hit.

How long have you been songwriting? 

I have been writing songs for 15 years or so. I started out writing songs for the blues-band, where I was playing guitar, but I slowly began writing more in the singer/songwriter style. In recent years I’ve only written songs inspired by americana or country music. 

Why did you enter American Songwriter’s Sounds Like Summer Promotion?

I came across the competition on social media, and when I saw the names of the judges, I thought “why not give it a try?”

What was the inspiration behind your song, “Across the world”?

“Across the world” is a very personal song because it’s about my father. He passed away earlier this year and the song is about how we scattered his ashes over sea. The song is about loss, but also about making sense and finding some kind of continuity in the passing of a loved one. 

Who are your all-time favorite songwriters and why? 

Lucinda Williams and Jason Isbell are my absolute favorite songwriters and musicians. Both of them write amazing lyrics and have great bands to perform their songs. 

Are you planning to release any new music this year? 

This summer my band “JK & The Wrong Crowd” has already released two singles, “Listen” and “Help me get over you”. Right now we are recording “Across the world” and it will be released as a single very soon. Later this summer our debut album “Old songs” will be available on all streaming platforms. 

What would you tell other artists who are considering entering the contest?

Go for it. The thought of great songwriters reading your lyrics is a bit of a kick!

Read the winning lyrics below:

on a bright sunny day
under a sky so blue
we set out on the ocean
to say goodbye to you

goodbyes are never easy
and letting go was hard
you’re scattered across the ocean
and we’ll always be apart

I hope you’re traveling across the world
I hope you visit every shore
I hope you’re a part of every wave
when I cant see you anymore
I hope you’re there in every sunset
when the ocean turns to red
I hope you’re part of all the places
I picture in my head
I hope you’re traveling across the world

you were always kind of restless
looking for something new
I hope you’ve found some peace
wherever you are going to

I’d rather you were here
but I guess your time had come
now you’re part of all the oceans
and your journeys just begun

I hope you’re traveling across the world
I hope you visit every shore
I hope you’re a part of every wave
when I cant see you anymore
I hope you’re there in every sunset
when the ocean turns to red
I hope you’re part of all the places
I picture in my head
I hope you’re traveling across the world

you cant know how much I miss you
now you’re not here no more
but it feels just like I’m with you
when I walk along the shore

when I hear the sound of waves
wash upon the shore
I think I hear your voice
I’m not lonesome anymore

I hope you’re traveling across the world
I hope you visit every shore
I hope you’re a part of every wave
now I cant see you anymore

I hope you’re there in every sunset
when the ocean turns to red
I hope you’re part of all the places
I picture in my head
I hope you’re traveling across the world