Album Notes

In 1995, Shirley Eikhard returned to recording as an artist after an absence of 9 years with IF I HAD MY WAY.

A little history: Shirley had recorded her first album for Capitol Records in 1971, and then went onto release three more albums with Attic Records of Canada in the 1970's. She went independent in the early 1980's with several self-produced singles which led to the interest of WEA Canada. An album called TAKING CHARGE was released in 1986 (Canada) and in 1988 by Cypress Records (U. S.)

Even though as an artist, Shirley was playing concerts and appearing on television shows, she always focused heavily on her songwriting throughout her career, and the result was amassing numerous covers with such acclaimed international artists as Bonnie Raitt and Cher, along with Anne Murray, Ginette Reno, Chet Atkins (an instrumental Shirley wrote at 15! ) and Emmylou Harris.

Shirley's song, "Something To Talk About", which she wrote during a six-week songwriting sabbatical to Nashville, Tennessee, was recorded by Bonnie Raitt in 1990 and appeared on Bonnie's Grammy Award winning Luck Of The Draw CD. "Something To Talk About" appears on Shirley's COUNTRY CD.
Shirley has long been a fan of Bonnie's and was blown away by Bonnie's version.

"Born With The Hunger" which appears on IF I HAD MY WAY was heard by Cher in New York City and Cher's amazing vocal performance of this song can be found on "Not Commercial" CD (2000) as well as her "The Very Best Of Cher" CD (2003).

Another song on IF I HAD MY WAY is the critically acclaimed and emotionally charged "Emily Remembers"; a song Shirley wrote in 1991 about Alzheimers' disease after meeting the father of a friend who had just been diagnosed.
Since so little was known about Alzheimers' at that time, Shirley went to the library and did exhaustive research and three months later, the song was born. The wonderful American artist, Suede, is just one of several singers who have recorded this song, and Shirley is very honoured by their versions.

IF I HAD MY WAY is comprised of pop, pop/rock, jazz and even touches of folk and country songs. It is available in digital downloading format only, and no longer in physical CD format.

We hope you enjoy this wonderful eclectic collection of songs from one of Canada's most prolific and enduring songwriter / singers.