I am fascinated by the genesis and meaning of a song. Where did this idea come from? What prompted this person to write the music in this way? The? Because I am fascinated by the history of music, I have watched many music documentaries.

When I got the chance to preview Linda Perry’s very personal documentary and then interview the songwriter/producer, I was immediately on board. Let it die here will take you on an emotional rollercoaster as filmmaker Don Hardy guides you through Perry’s fears, desires and struggles.

If you don’t know where you know Linda Perry from, she rose to fame as the lead singer of 4 Non Blondes with the song “What’s Up,” which garnered over 3 BILLION streams even though it was released before streaming was even a thing.

But in the decades since that song topped the charts, Perry has reinvented herself as a songwriter and producer par excellence, writing hit after hit for artists such as Dolly Parton, Christina Aguilera, Céline Dion and P!nk.

In the early 2000s, Perry wrote and produced Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful,” P!nk’s “Get This Party Started,” and Celine Dion’s “My Love,” to name a few. But what surprised me most was when Perry collaborated with Dolly Parton to write and score Dolly’s film in 2018. Dumplings.

I never thought Perry would be interested in a film like this. On the surface, you’d expect the two to have little in common. But Perry clarified: “We’re an odd couple, but we work. We’re just cut from the same cloth. She’s a workaholic. I’m a workaholic.”

She continued: “Dolly Parton is one of the most kind, professional, warm and selfless people I have ever met. She has a quick wit. But what I like most about her is that she treats everyone equally, whether they brought her tea, looked after her dog or whatever.”

However, when Perry composed the music for Hardy’s film, Citizen Penn that he was attracted to their way of thinking, creating and working.

He told her, “You’re really interesting. Do you mind if I hang out in your studio sometimes and just record stuff?” Perry said, “Yeah, sure.”

When I saw the film, I had to agree with Hardy. Perry was fascinating. Watching her compose music is like watching Michelangelo carve a statue. You know you’re watching a genius. She knows everything there is to know about composing music, melodies and lyrics. She also makes sure the music fits the film/person it was composed for.

After watching clips of Hardy’s raw footage with Perry’s approval, he decided to feature her in a documentary. To do so, he had to delve into her childhood, which was marked by abusive parents and a failed suicide attempt. Her brother and music showed her how to use her pain for good.

While Hardy was making the documentary, Perry suffered breast cancer and lost her once-abusive mother. Given Hardy’s honest and moving treatment of the artist’s tragedies, it is easy to understand why Let it die here received rave reviews at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival.

Initially, Perry was part of the band Four Non-Blondes, but gradually she began writing and producing music and found her home in composing film music.

She told me, “My passion is music. If there are a bunch of artists that I don’t believe in, I’m just not going to work with them or write for them. You can give me all the money in the world, and I’m still not going to write an honest song for a dishonest person. The audience is important. The fans are important. And if you lie to them and tell them nonsense and expect the kids to pay for it just so you can be famous, then I’m not part of that game.”

Let it die here The film features several close friends and collaborators, including Dolly Parton, Christina Aguilera, Kate Hudson, Sara Gilbert and Brandi Carlile. The respect she has from her famous friends is genuine.

She stated that she started writing films until “the real artistry came back.” Her film, Let it die here inspired the artist to create a beautiful soundtrack.

The film ends with Perry writing and recording a new song, “What Lies With You.” By the end of the film, her genius is on full display.

This film inspired Perry to write music again and possibly go on tour.

Perry explained: “I totally miss performing. I’m a great artist, so I miss that. I love these songs that I just wrote. They feel really honest to me and really different and really authentic.”

Let it die here is an intimate look into the life of a vulnerable and courageous woman struggling through life-changing personal circumstances and difficult career decisions. Perry struggles with fear, shame, illness, perfectionism, and the burdens and gifts of family.

Although the film and soundtrack have not yet been officially released, if you live in the Nashville area, you can see the film in person at the Nashville Film Festival. Let it die here can be previewed on Friday, September 20th, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Regal Green Hills Theater 1. Tickets can be purchased in advance here.

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Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer. You can follow her blog, Facebook, Instagram, and X.