Welcome to RedEye’s “Song of the Day,” an ongoing feature where music reporter Josh Terry or another RedEye staff member highlights something they’re listening to. Some days the track will be new, and some days it will be old. No matter what, each offering is something you should check out. Check back every weekday for a new song and subscribe to the Spotify playlist below.
As far as opening lines go, the way New York singer-songwriter begins his gorgeous single “Gray Lodge Wisdom” has to be one of the most memorable: “Why sing about death/When I just almost died/Why sing about life/When I’m still alive/Why sing about God/When she don’t exist.”
It’s the kind of lyric that could stop anyone in their tracks and becomes all the more arresting when you find out that Stratton did almost die while making the record. In 2012, he was diagnosed with stage three testicular cancer, fought it, beat it and came back with one of the most emotionally resonant and triumphant records of the last year. Even without the backstory, when you hear him sing, “Why hope for the best/When the worst just makes you strong,” it’s still overwhelmingly powerful. I’ve listened to it probably a dozen times this week and I’m not gonna lie — I may have almost broken down on public transportation.
Listen to the song below, which also boasts a lovely guest appearance from folk artist The Weather Station.
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Gray Lodge Wisdom by Will Stratton
[email protected], @joshhterry
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