Alan's comments regarding
The Plan (The Album)


I am so very pleased that my favorite album that we wrote and recorded, The Plan, after 28 years, is going to be released by Apple itunes with the lyrics and artist rendering of "The Plan of Life".
Many of you may remember some of the situations that we as a group faced with this "rock opera" effort to express our feelings about The Plan of LIFE! The Beatles had their "Sergeant Peppers" album, and other groups had theirs with thought provoking ideas. The Plan was ours. Having released our biggest hit single, Crazy Horses, with an attempt to leave something musically to our industry and to the world as musicians, we expressed in lyrics and music the importance of stopping air pollution. It was one of the very first anti- pollution songs ever written. We likened the words "Crazy Horses" to the horsepower of engines and the smoke they created. The Plan was our way to creatively share our thoughts and feelings about, "Who we are", "Why we are here", and "Where we are going". We expressed important principles that we believe, with a cue to our listeners to "don't take it too easy". . . that there was something here that we wanted them to think about and know. It was quite a difficult task without seeming "preachy" which we did not want to do.
We worked for over a year or so putting together our notes and ideas for this project. They were all in a special notebook that I carried with me on tour. One afternoon in Memphis, Tennessee, we checked into our hotel rooms. Security was loose and there were people running all over the hotel. Our rooms were up on a high floor and the fire escape doors were locked to keep people from coming up onto our floor. Security had placed in Wayne's and my room many wrapped boxes and gifts for our family from our fans and others. There was so much commotion and confusion that my Father suggested that we as a family have lunch together in their hotel suite. We did.
Half way through our meal, we smelled smoke. We opened the door and saw smoke in the hall . . . and it was increasing very fast. We yelled FIRE and tried to exit the fire exit down the stairs . . . but couldn't as the door was locked. John Rosenberg, our trumpet player who was a black belt, flew towards the door with a sidekick, and managed to knock the door open. We hurried down the stairs into the crowded lobby, which was now filled with firemen and many hotel guests. We couldn't wait to find out what happened, as we had to depart for our concert show in our touring bus. We had left our costumes in our hotel rooms but had another set under the bus that was needing to be cleaned but which had to be worn again for the show.
After the show was over, we were in a very big hurry to get back to the hotel and see what had happened, what caused the fire, and where our personal stuff was. As we entered the lobby, we were escorted by hotel management to see all of our personal belongings in a big pile on the floor in the main lobby. People we didn't even know were going through it and were taking our personal items unrestricted. I saw my Bible and other scriptures, my teeth retainers, and other personal items. I looked and looked ... and in a frantic conclusion I panicked because I did not see my notebook of "The Plan". I quickly asked if we had anything else left in our rooms. They informed me that Wayne's and my room where all those unopened packages were stored was where the fire seemed to be. Our costumes were destroyed; some of our musical instruments, and "The Plan" was gone!
We had "stepped away" from the music of "The Plan" as we did our summer tour. We were still working on some new creative works but could only save and remember a few. We became very determined that this effort must be completed and that no-one would stop us. . . so we started at it again to create and compose the works that many now know as "The Plan".

Now that we brothers had become re-dedicated to the writing and recording of the album project, "The Plan", the Brothers became VERY close to one other! We probably haven't been as close as we were then. There seemed to be a more spiritual surrounding when we were with each other for this purpose, less contention, and a longing to get together and create with a unified effort the receiving of inspiration and "special" creativity for this our "rock opera". I say "special" because we have all written songs together before. But, it seemed that there was a humble and directed way that we received these moments of inspiration with each song. There were some songs that we struggled with to get the exact words or music. I remember that we were at a photo session in Yosemite National Park in California and Wayne, Merrill and I (along with our Mother) were sitting in the car while individual Osmonds got their pictures taken. We were searching for all the words that impressed us that ended with the letters "tion" for a song that was evolving called "The Last Days". With other songs and times, the creative parts came really fast like when we wrote "One Way Ticket to Anywhere". Jay got on those drums of his and we rolled it out in a hurry. There was a song that took me many, many hours. It was called "Are You Up There". I was in my bed in California late one evening having read scriptures, prayed, and pondered for a great amount of time as to what it was that was in my bosom that I NEEDED to "say". I could feel it as though it were a physical object inside of me trying to get out. I would stare at the piano keys that were located at the foot of my bed. I was wide-awake but totally still and quiet for around 4+ hours. At about 2 or three o'clock A.M., something happened. It was an emotional experience as I asked myself . . . "What are you trying to say?" "What is it?" It was like a light turned on . . . and got brighter. Here I was sitting up in bed with my pencil and pad of paper in hand and I started to write. Not only did I write lyrics to an inspired song but also, as I looked at the piano keys, I could see what the music cords and melody were to be. I hardly ever went back to check what I had written or made changes! When I finished, I re-read the song and started to cry. I will NEVER forget that experience as long as I live! Someone was helping me... it was like a "whisper" from within. I prayed to my Heavenly Father giving Him thanks as I knew that I had been inspired from another source, a very, very good source, for I could NOT have written these words or music myself. I could hardly sleep the rest of the night. I would lie there for the next few hours and re-collect my experience and thoughts. I wanted morning to come very badly so I could share this experience and song with my Brothers!

Merrill's comments regarding
The Plan
In writing the Plan Album with my brothers, I can say without a doubt that a divine blessing was granted. The spirit that radiated during the writing sessions was strong. The personal revelation, if you will, intensified as the work continued even after the master draft was destroyed by a fire in Memphis, Tennessee. The desire and determination to complete the Plan was ever present. Each song has a specific meaning that is told in a parable like form...designed to tell a connecting story about the plan of life. I hope and pray that those who desire to know our hearts and testimonies will listen with spiritual ears, and hear with unconditional hearts. The Plan is our gift to those we have loved for eons of time.
Merrill Osmond


Wayne's comments regarding
The Plan
Being involved with writing the Plan album with my brothers was one of the most fulfilling projects I've ever been involved with...attempting to encapsulate the most powerful message that could ever be wrought into a presentation of a few songs was both challenging and delightful.......
Wayne Osmond

The Plan Lyrics

I have also included the "vignettes" or short snippets of songs that come between the pieces on Side One. The lyrics to these "vignettes" are not included on the album's printed lyrics. Many thanks go to Rick, who passed these on to me and reminded me that to leave these little vignettes out takes away from the overall fabric of the album . ~
Polly Weifenbach, Lyrics Editor, Backstage Discography

Other Journal Notes by Alan

God is our Heavenly Father

Why I Am A Mormon?