Blogs and Stories
How I Fell in Love in Prison
Brandon Ralph
After seven years in captivity, musician John Forte was freed last year when George Bush commuted his sentence. In a Daily Beast exclusive, he writes about the painful humiliations of prison life, gratitude toward Bush—and what made him fall in love with the world. Plus, WATCH A VIDEO of his new song, Running Up That Hill.
Which came first – the chicken or the egg? Well, in this case the question is more like: Which came first – the blog or the song? A couple of weeks ago, a friend invited a few others and me over to his apartment for a small dinner party. I walked into the apartment and immediately inquired about the song that was playing. Melody. Lyrics. Lasers! I was wholly transfixed.
“What is this?” I asked.
“Somebody introduced me to them the other night,” he responded. “Running Up That Hill, by the Chromatics.”
Over the course of the evening, we ate, talked, and laughed, but that song continued to haunt me. When an opportunity appropriately presented itself, I asked our host to play it again. He went above and beyond his call of duty. He not only played the song, he looked up the lyrics and the song’s history. We learned that the Chromatics were not the authors of the song; Kate Bush wrote Running Up That Hill and released it in the UK in 1985. The chorus sparked something deep inside of me:
And if I only could make a deal with God
And get him to swap our places
Be running up that road
Be running up that hill
Be running up that building
I thought about the opportunities that had been given me. I thought about the critics who condemned President Bush’s decision to commute my prison sentence (after having served more than seven years into a 14-year sentence). I thought about some of the men I had met over the years – good men, who made terrible mistakes. Some of them were inside long before I showed up and still had many more years remaining on their respective sentences following my release.
I am grateful and humbled by President Bush’s forgiveness of my stupid and reckless behavior.
Some of the men became friends and were very candid with me. One friend in particular admitted to being a “horrible” parent when he was home – a so-called disinterested donor to the gene pool. Like so many of us, it was not until he went away that he realized the true gift of family. It was amazing to see how he interacted with his children in the visiting room. They were toddlers when he entered the system. By the time I met his children they were teenagers – bright, compassionate, and respectful. His motivation was clear. Having experienced the longing of forced separation for so many days and nights, his babies would not repeat his footsteps. He would recount the grisly sights he had seen over the years and scare his children more effectively than any Hollywood chiller. I saw the fear in their eyes. He was stern but never oppressive – we knew abuse of power and would not propagate it in our personal lives.
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How I Went From Prep School to Prison
John Forté is a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and producer from Brooklyn, New York. A graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy, he is a classically trained violinist who is known for his work with The Fugees. Forté was granted a commutation by President George W. Bush in 2008 after having served more than seven years of a 14-year federal prison sentence for a drug offense.
First Day Out of Prison
John Forté is a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and producer from Brooklyn, New York. A graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy, he is a classically trained violinist who is known for his work with The Fugees. Forté was granted a commutation by President George W. Bush in 2008 after having served more than seven years of a 14-year federal prison sentence for a drug offense.
smdunne
John,
I am relieved to hear you admit that you committed a crime, and that you are sorry for it. I feel that you will not take such risks with your life again, which is wonderful because you are a gifted man with so much to give the world.
Kate Bush is a great songwriter, and "Running Up That Hill" is one of my all time favorites. The song speaks to everyone at some time in their lives. I love your interpretation of it.
I hope that you will write more about your prison experiences, it is so important that we provide as many opportunities as possible to men and women who are incarcerated. Most will come back into society, and it is in everyone's interest that these men and women come back able to integrate into the community in a positive way.
All the very best to you in your new life. Enjoy!
coloradokarl
John, I too have been given a gift. Thirty years of sliding through the cesspool of death and destruction, the underbelly of society and cannon fodder for the Criminal "justice" system. It's all just been God's "trial by fire". The PURE love I feel every day is a reward the power elite and wealthy purveyors of "control" can't purchase. Love comes from Compassion, best learned when received at the lowest point in ones existence. I can forgive George W. Bush, Go forth and touch the World, John Forte.
This comment has been removed by The Daily Beast's editors.
TavernWench
I will always love "Running Up That Hill" by Kate Bush. I'd not heard this cover before, but it's fantastic.
Thank you for this piece, John. Top notch.
bigwurzz
Well said.
StolenBase
John, congratulations on coming home. I know it will be impossible to not feel some guilt about your release, but don't waste your time feeling that way! Life is too short and you didn't trick people into the release. I understand that you were drawn to the song by the lyrics that fit your circumstances, but also please check out more of the Chromatics, along with Glass Candy out of Portland, OR. They are putting out the most interesting music of any genre right now (and I am a hip hop fan first). Italians Do It Better Records. SB
Granite
I'm shocked that musician John Forte has never heard Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush!!!
I am seriously musically impaired and really out of touch musically and I remember the song from the 80's. It is one of the most beautiful songs ever written and an all time favorite of mine.
I thought that if I've heard of it then everyone else had too.
GREGORYABUTLER
With a title like "HOW I FELL IN LOVE IN PRISON' I though sure this was going to be a 'Brokeback Mountain" type tale!
I'm disappointed!
raptor
Wonderful blog, a bit of gratitude,then comes healing.
sophia5
Some people have the opinion that
"intent to distribute" drugs is "non-violent."
Isn't there an under belly somewhere
along that "distribution" pipeline where
certain people do experience violence?
It's so hilarious how the one thing most people
in prison are always demanding is "RESPECT."
In far too many cases, was it not
their 'DISRESPECT" for others in the outside world
that landed them in prison in the first place?
Berhanu
Mr Fort�...congrats and welcome back...looking forward to experiencing your music once again...one love.
Ahsaan
For those in society that believe a person's HUMANITY goes out the window once they are imprisoned , must first ask themselves at what point does a person deserve a chance to change their lives. INHUMANITY ONLY PRODUCES MORE INHUMANITY! BE THANKFUL FOR THE JOHN FORTE'S OF THE WORLD. BE THANKFUL!
MARXIS
Thank you John! Everyday of that 7 years i was with you in spirit.You are blessed in so many ways, so all i ask is that you continue to return that blessing.
ARVin81
My favorite entry to date. Your adaptation of the song is beautiful as well.
OneLove!
Rapunzel2154
Beautiful rendition as well as meaningful. Can't wait to hear more!
Thank you.
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