Music is healing; it enables you to understand a specific experience and express it in a tangible way. This concept is heard in multi-award-winning Canadian songwriter David Leask’s moving single, “When I Become Confused.” Leask partnered with The Alzheimer’s Society of Peel for this release, which he performed on May 24, 2025, at the closing ceremonies for the Walk For Alzheimer’s in Mississauga.
I caught up with Leask who discussed the impact of his performance. “There were some tears from people who work in the field… In a strange way, for whatever reason, I am asked to live deeper into the song. Sure. it is difficult, but it’s also meaningful to me every time I play it and sing it. It can be challenging, but it is real.”
Leask’s deeper connection with this song comes from his experience caring for relatives with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Leask reflects on the message behind the song, “What inspired it was just being with someone and trying to, sort of, look through a lens of compassion and try and understand what someone is going through in their brain because it is not always easy to understand and it takes a bit of time. Over a course of years I guess you start to imagine what someone goes through with that decease.”
This theme is highly demonstrated in the lyrics. A line that resonates with me is, “As I sink inside this shell, before you bid me farewell, remember I’m still here and as long as you’re near I would love to be held.” These lyrics encapsulate the feeling of holding someone close until the end, even though it is heartbreaking to see a loved one going through this type of situation.
I was also moved by the instrumentation. The arrangement includes Leask’s vocals, drums, bass and piano, as well as a electric guitar which was added afterwards. It was recorded live off the floor and Leask loved how everyones parts naturally flowed into one another.
Leask also shared his advice to people who have loved ones living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. He said, “It’s difficult to understand what someone is experiencing. Initially, on the surface of things, you have confusion yourself as an outsider as to what’s going on and you can pick up the wrong signals. I think that it takes time not just from a patient’s standpoint. There are lots of resources on the Alzheimer Society’s website to learn how to interact with people who are in that position. But I think one of the things that can potentially be lost is that people who have dementia, no matter of what stage, they still have wisdom to impart… The other biggest thing for me personally is that music is a big powerful way to bring people back to life who have dementia.”
I love music with a strong message this track is a solid 10/10 for me.
Feel free to check out the video for “When I Become Confused” here.
This interview was edited for length and clarity.