Sometimes I think everyone on my WhatsApp group reads and listens to the Friday Song every week! Some of you do I know, but my somewhat delusional opinion was laid bare this week, when a group of us at a supper laughed our way through the reluctant admission from a friend who shall remain nameless that she had over 60 unread Friday texts from me! l took some solace in the fact that this number accounted for 20 weeks at three posts a week (the writing and links to the song on two platforms) rather than ignoring 60 songs.
She proclaimed in mitigation: “I listen in bed when my husband plays it on Friday mornings.” After that reality check and last week’s Springsteen “novella”, I thought it best to keep today short!
Shelby Lynne started out a pure country singer, having minor success and moving into slicker country pop with each release. But real success eluded her until she switched labels, left Nashville, went to California and recorded I Am Shelby Lynne, an album tinged with a touch of rock, a chunk of blues vocal and a truckload of soul.
Hers was a six-album journey to success. Take a listen today to Leavin’, a song full of soul about the break-up of a relationship. The verses are whispered and the choruses sung in full throttle contralto, in front of her own gospel backing vocals, a beautiful string arrangement and a guitar loaded with wah wah.
Carried by a processed drum on the backbeat and single bass notes, the song is a soul-barer, a heart-breaker and the end of a connection, dripping with emotion and resolve.
Leavin’ is sad, but comes with wishes for a very happy weekend!
I started a music WhatsApp group in 2023. I send one song a week on a Friday, with links to both Apple and Spotify, and an accompanying narrative/capsule piece. You’ll read it here on a Sunday. If you want to engage about a song, get a playlist or just get in touch, email me on markgrosin@gmail.com.
Listen to Leavin’ on Spotify here and on Apple Music here.
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