We caught up with Hilary Roberts to talk about the emotional origins of her new single, and to find out more about her songwriting process.

Hi Hilary! Can you introduce yourself to those new to your music?

Last year we had our first top 10 hit in the US and were number eight on the UK charts with a song by the name of There for You. We just had a number one hit in the US and it was number four and seven on the UK charts, a remake of Back to Life.

My music is music with a message where each song has meaning and is to help people relate to, be uplifted and inspired by, and hopefully experience personal healing.
My genres include Pop, Dance, and Adult Contemporary.

Can you tell us about the story behind your new single “Fight to the Other Side“?

This is a song that has been dedicated to a friend of mine and her husband who were there for me in some of my darkest times and who encouraged my singing career when I didn’t believe in myself. My friend, Annie, was diagnosed with a very rare form of muscular dystrophy and attempted suicide a total of seven times and I was desperate to try to help her. So, my team and I wrote a song, recorded the video, and surprised her on May 11 with this beautiful song. And now ... my friend Annie no longer wants to kill herself. She wants to help people that are in pain with the sickness that she has and from other ailments, whether physical or emotional. What greater gift can anyone receive but to know that what they’ve done has helped save a life?

Who are your top three favorite musicians?

Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Celine Dion

What has been your most memorable performance?

In 2006, my granddad was in an Alzheimer’s unit, and my mother asked me to sing for the patients and the staff there. There were about 15 people on the unit that were patients. Some of them couldn’t speak, some of them spoke gibberish, some of them were completely depressed or angry. I sang the old standards and as soon as I started singing the people that couldn’t speak started singing the songs, the people that spoke gibberish started clapping and mouthing the words to the songs and the ones that were angry and depressed started smiling and singing the songs. It was the most incredible experience I’ve ever had in my life.

Could you explain your songwriting process, what comes first, the lyrics or melody?

It really depends...we have started with the lyrics and an idea for a title, or a topic we wanted to write about, and we’ve also started with a melody for the hook that we think sounds good. Sometimes it’s been about the music being orchestrated and writing over that.

When did you realize that music was something you wanted to pursue seriously?

Since I was a little girl I’ve always wanted to do music and went through different trials and tribulations trying to do that. For this phase of my life I started over two years ago and had the wonderful opportunity of meeting Felicia Greer, my manager, who is also a co-writer, and Grammy award-winning producer Damon Sharpe, who has been a musical mentor genius and co-writer on the songs.

And finally… what song are you obsessed with at the moment?

Well, we are releasing a new song in the next few weeks and are figuring out our video concept and the campaign that’s going to go along with this song, so I’m really obsessed with it… Hint, it’s going to be about men.

Listen to 'Fight to the Other Side' below, and stay tuned to see what this talented artist and musician gets up to next....