Donna Lewis on Legacy, Healing, and the Power of Song

Donna Lewis has always known how to turn emotion into melody from the ethereal chorus of “I Love You, Always Forever” to the deeply personal soundscapes of Rooms With a View. Now, following a transformative breast cancer journey, the singer-songwriter returns with an album that’s not just music—it’s survival, storytelling, and soul laid bare.

In this candid conversation, Donna reflects on her unexpected collaboration with ROMY and Fred Again.., the journal entries that became lyrics, and how advocacy and art have become inseparable parts of her life.

Nicolle: Your song “I Love You, Always Forever” remains a timeless classic. How does it feel to see its legacy continue with ROMY and Fred Again’s recent release of "Always Forever”?
Donna: It’s amazing!!! I’m a big fan of Fred’s work, and Romy’s ‘Always Forever’ verses worked seamlessly with my chorus and bridge, giving the song new life again! 

Nicolle: Your new album, Rooms With A View, reflects your journey through breast cancer. Can you tell us more about how this experience influenced your songwriting process?

Donna: Having a cancer diagnosis is quite overwhelming, so throughout my journey, I kept a journal of how I was feeling every day, my thoughts, how I was feeling, spending time in a hospital environment, etc. I didn’t intend on making a record about it, but when Holmes Ives sent me a few instrumental tracks to see if I would be interested in collaborating, the music inspired me, and the lyrics just flooded out, resulting in each song becoming a chapter of my journey.

Nicolle: You worked remotely with Holmes Ives to create Rooms With A View. How did the creative process differ compared to your previous collaborations?

Donna: It went so smoothly, interestingly enough. I think it was because we each had our roles in the process. He came up with most of the tracks apart from 2, and I could focus on my vocals and lyrics, recording myself in my studio, and we are both perfectionists and loved what the other was doing.

Nicolle: Your lyrics in the album are deeply personal, drawn from journal entries. Were there any specific moments or emotions that were particularly challenging to translate into music?

Donna: Not really. I think it was the one record I’ve ever made where everything flooded out in a perfect way.

Nicolle: Becoming an ambassador for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is a significant role. How has your advocacy work shaped your perspective as an artist and individual?

Donna: I’ve always been a breast cancer supporter because my mum is a breast cancer survivor, but going through this myself and seeing the problems with regular screenings and quick diagnosis, I wanted to spread awareness even more. Music has this amazing power of bringing people together and giving us an experience of being less alone. Making Strides is the same. There’s something so beautiful and empowering about being with all these people who’ve been through what I’ve been through. It’s like a concert of Hope, surviving, thriving, and love…

Nicolle: In 2021, your plans to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Now In A Minute were put on hold due to your diagnosis. How did postponing these plans impact your creative outlook?

Donna: Of course, I was disappointed, but I knew I had to take a year off because of treatment, but my music became my therapy. It was so healing for me, and I was more creative than ever.

Nicolle: Holmes Ives created the foundation for the album with his instrumental tracks. What was it about his music that resonated with you and inspired your lyrical storytelling?

Donna: I loved Holmes’s stunning electronic soundscapes!  There was a darkness to them, and it inspired me! Melodies came to me quickly. It was a beautiful canvas to work with my journal writings. It was meant to be.

Nicolle: You’ve described the album as a beacon of hope and transformation. What message do you hope listeners take away from Rooms With A View?

Donna: I’m inviting listeners into my world, sharing my raw and vulnerable experiences, and I’m saying, ‘You are not alone, we are in this together!’

Nicolle: Your ability to balance emotional vulnerability with powerful, rhythmic soundscapes is remarkable. How did you and Holmes Ives achieve this balance in the album’s production?

Donna: As I said earlier, we each had our own roles in making this album. There were so many interesting layers in Holmes’s tracks that it was a perfect soundbed for me to create my own layers of vocals to create the mood for each room. I would send him my vocal stems, and he would create the magic, and we went back and forth until we figured it out 

What’s next for you musically and personally? Can fans expect live performances or other projects related to Rooms With A View in the near future?

Donna: I just did a live show in Savannah, Georgia, with my great friend Tony Franklin on bass. It was so wonderful playing together again. In the set, we played 3 songs from Rooms with a View. We spoke about why I wrote this album, and the response to those songs was amazing! I will be doing more live shows in the future.

Nicolle: In Rooms With A View, you explore both the profound and the mundane aspects of your journey. Can you share a story or lyric that holds a particularly special meaning for you?

Donna: I feel the song ‘The Imposter’ says it all. The verses paint a picture of the darkness one feels in treatment, but there is hopefulness in the choruses.

Room 21
It’s not the first
Intolerance—raw and torn

Thank you for making me feel brave
When I didn’t feel brave
'Cause I never want to be at war
With my body again

Thank you for activating
My gratitude
'Cause I never want to be at war
With my body again

Nicolle: Your career spans decades, from chart-topping success to deeply personal projects like this album. How do you see your evolution as an artist over the years, and where do you see yourself going next?

Donna: I take each day as it comes, but I have so many projects I plan to put out. We made a film with director Maya Baron about the breast cancer journey. I have new music coming this year, which I hope will lead to more live shows. Also, I’m writing a musical.

Donna Lewis’s voice has always had the power to stir something deep—whether it's love, nostalgia, or, now, courage. Rooms With a View is more than an album; it's a testament to resilience, vulnerability, and the unbreakable spirit of an artist who continues to evolve. As she looks to the future—with new music, live shows, and even a musical in the works—one thing is clear: Donna Lewis is still writing songs that matter, and she’s doing it on her own brave terms.

For more info about Rooms with a View, visit https://www.roomswithaview.info/

Donna is an ambassador for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, the nation's largest and most impactful breast cancer movement. To donate to this worthy cause, visit https://www.roomswithaview.info/acs

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Nicolle Knapova is a little bit of everything. She is a freelance translator, content creator. She loves indie music and is always browsing through Spotify to find the next amazing artist to obsess over. Her love for storytelling means she’s always writing something, and she’s not afraid of any genre. Her biggest dream is to be a published author. If she’s not writing her fan fiction, she’s writing her poetry and sharing it on her Instagram @elisecaverly.