Adding to the classic and contemporary holiday songs played at this time of the year, Drew Seeley has shared a new song and video, “Feels So Much Better To Love,” that is destined to be a new holiday favorite.
Seeley is best known for his work in numerous Disney productions including his portrayal of Troy Bolton in the “High School Musical: The Concert,” tour and co-writing the Emmy nominated song, “Get’cha Head in the Game” for Disney's quadruple platinum High School Musical soundtrack.
Drew Seeley
“High School Musical” was the first project Seeley worked on for Disney. “I owe that introduction to the late Ray Cham, who co-wrote and produced ‘Get’cha Head in the Game.’ Without having him in my corner, my life would have probably gone in some other direction. [Since then] I have worked extensively with Disney in music, on screen and on stage. The mouse has been quite good to me.” Other projects followed including performing on the “Cheetah Girls 2” soundtrack and as Prince Eric on Broadway in Disney’s musical “The Little Mermaid.”
While playing Bob Gaudio on the “Jersey Boys” tour, Seeley stuck up a friendship with Barry Anderson, who was playing Bob Crewe. Their characters co-wrote many of the songs Frankie Valle and the Four Seasons sang, so it’s a bit of “life imitating art.”
Barry Anderson
“This past year has been a bit crazy in terms of division and emotions and a sense of ‘us versus them,’" says Anderson. “In the midst of the wave of protests that began occurring in our country, I read a tweet from someone that simply said ‘It feels better to love than it does to hate.’ And that simple idea is what I thought we could base something fun and feel-good on. It's such a universal concept, and the holidays seem like the perfect time to spread all the love we can through music.”
Image from “Feels So Much Better To Love” video
This fun and upbeat song came together rather quickly. “I sent the title, “Feels So Much Better To Love”, and musical outline over to Drew and he came back with an awesome melody and lyrics,” says Anderson. “We were able to piece everything together remotely and when we were both in L.A., this past summer, we took the tune into the studio to record it.” The song and video features some of their “Jersey Boys” colleagues. “I'm a sucker for old-school backing vocals, says Anderson. “The harmonies that happen at the beginning of the bridge in this tune make me so super happy – it’s a fun and soulful groove.”
Seeley is working on three projects for 2018: his second solo album, which will be released this February or March and two films, “Friend Zone,” and “Disrupted.” Living in New York City, Seeley and his wife, Amy Paffrath, are “enjoying being New Yorkers” and he is currently doing a reading of a new musical, “Sign of the Times,” which wrapped up a five-week run in 2016 at Goodspeed Musicals.
Anderson is also back in New York City. “I’ve spent the past six years on the road with ‘Jersey Boys’”, said Anderson. “This week I’ll fly to Switzerland to do a concert of original songs and looking forward to making more music and musical content.”
Anderson and Seeley would also love to collaborate on new songs. “We’d love to write more tunes together,” said Anderson. “Barry is such a versatile writer and musician,” said Seeley. “We bounce ideas off of each other effortlessly and have a great time, so I am SURE we’ll be working on some more material soon!”
“Feels So Much Better To Love” is available for download on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Amazon and other music sites. Watch the music video here.