Country music’s most anticipated soundtrack collection has released a new album almost 7 months since the last instalment. It is, of course, the music of ABC’s Nashville. Featuring more amazing tracks from cast members such as Charles Esten, Sam Palladio, Chris Carmack, Hayden Panettiere, Clare Bowen and more, this soundtrack even includes the legendary vocals of rock music extraordinaire Mr. Steven Tyler.
The album kicks off with Charles Esten and his track Like New, a co-write between Jonathan Singleton and duo Striking Matches; it seems the producers can’t get enough of the music from Sarah Zimmerman and Justin Davis. The song was used in a concert scene for Deacon’s character and is all about getting over a relationship and the trials and tribulations of getting over that person, or at least ‘when’ they start getting over that person. The verses are full of metaphors creating a collective of images in your mind as the song plays through.
“It might take every inch of Texas”
The title line of the song is also used in the verses as well as the hook of the chorus as a constant reminder and reassurance almost to the person singing that, yes, this is all I need to do and I will be Just Like New.
Track two comes in the form of Lennon Stella with Beyond The Sun, her first solo track on any of these sidetrack albums, it seems strange hearing her effortless vocals without her sister, Maisy. This track to me just shows how much both she and her sister have grown as artists during the show. It was clear from the beginning that these two girls were oozing talent and this platform has done nothing but aid in their creativity. This track, written by Claire Guerreso and Aaron Espe, is all about just letting go of life. Being able to just leave all your burdens behind and just fly away. This track in reference to the character of Maddie on the show is very poignant as it takes this little girl character to the next level, to becoming an adult.
Mark Collie, a name you may be familiar with, also appears on the soundtrack with ‘Holding On To What I Can’t Hold’; written by Steve Paul Robson and Travis Meadows. Collie first burst onto the scene back in the 90’s as a singer-songwriter however soon moved his attention to acting and has since had a successful career in that field, now playing the part of Deacon’s AA sponsor, Frankie Gray. The song aptly seems to address addiction and the loss surrounding that, from the people to the material things in your life.
“You spend your whole life looking for something”
I have never had an addiction to anything but there is a truth that rings through the lyrics and the power of the delivery of this song that gives me a real insight into the pain of the loss.
During this season of Nashville we said goodbye to long term character Jeff Fordham. In the heartache that followed the event we saw Luke Wheeler hold a small memorial type introduction at one of his concerts. It is then that we are introduced to this next song as Layla takes to the stage and dedicates Too Far From You to Jeff. Written by Sarah Siskind the song is a beautifully constructed track about loss. The struggles that come just having no idea what to do with yourself when the one you thought would be there forever, all of a sudden, isn’t.
Plenty Far To Fall written by Garrison Starr, Alex Dezan and Sandy Chila is performed by Gunnar and Scarlett’s characters. The song depicts a situation in which two people, seemingly ex’s, are trying to convince each other that choosing to not let the night end would be the best choice and ‘at least until that sun comes up again’ they have time for one last kiss. It is a fun, upbeat number that you can’t help but to, at a minimum, tap your foot along to! A perfect choice of song, too, by the producers for this duo who we all know love each other even though they may choose to dismiss it!
The country classic Crazy written by Willie Nelson is up next from not only Hayden Panettiere but also Steven Tyler on his small cameo part on the show; no doubt as promotion for his upcoming country album he is due to release on Big Machine Records.
Spinning Revolver performed by Luke Wheeler and written by Sean McConnell and Ashley Ray follows a great upbeat track from this Nashville heartthrob! The song is all about pushing your luck and taking your chances with love. There are no guarantees and it’s a clever hook line for a song that I am sure many can relate too.
Sleep Tonight (A Lullaby); who doesn’t love a good lullaby? Performed by Avery and Will to baby Cadence it is a sweet yet amusing lullaby addressing things like
“When you’re 40 I’ll be crippled and old but don’t you put me in a nursing home”
The song was written by Lucy Schwartz, John Hanson and Steve Pasch.
Riley Smith who plays newcomer Markus Keen comes next on the soundtrack with In The Name Of Your Love, written by Sean McConnell. The song is about how the singer is willing to give up any bad parts of his life if it means he gets the chance to be with the girl who is the subject of the song; she makes him want to change.
Run With Me written by Al Anderson and Adam Sanders is sung by Chris Carmack, who plays Will on the show, and this is featured in his first concert scene since coming out about his sexuality. It is about being who you are and letting your life experiences create you and realizing that you need to just seize the day and live “wild and free”. It talks about how the character in the song lives his life like that, and if you wanna be with him then you have to be able to lose your inhibitions and live to the full every day, constantly be on the go.
Clare Bowen is up next with a solo song called Speak To Me written by Lucy Schwartz, Sarah Siskind and Tofer Brown. The song features in the beginning of the season when Clare’s character Scarlett loses her mother. It’s about being in a situation where you feel so utterly lost and wishing you could find you way to that person you have lost. Knowing that somewhere in it all there must be a silver lining but being unable to see past the sadness. In this situation it is about the death of Beverly however I feel like this song could also be applied to a relationship falling apart.
Recently Connie Britton’s character, Rayna, has been pretty quiet on the song front but one that has featured in the show was the duet between her and Markus at the Grand Ole Opry. That song is next in line on this track listing with the old school hit I Want To (Do Everything For You) by Joe Tex.
History Of My Heart written by Chris Gelbuda and Kylie Sackley comes next from Jonathan Jackson (Avery). In the show this was written by Will however it was performed at the Bluebird Café by Avery. The song is all about never being able to cut out a true love. No matter whom you meet or where you go they stay lingering. Lyrically it is absolutely beautiful and probably my favourite on the album.
Hayden Panettiere also features with a song by Juliette called What If It’s You. Written by Scott Effman, Lily Elise and Audra Mae the song is about blaming everyone but yourself for the issues within your life and taking a step back and asking yourself; what if it’s you?
Sam Palladio is up next with a song called Count On Me which was written by Claire Guerreso and Viktor Krauss. The song in the show was written with Scarlett’s boyfriend as his present to her to show her that he will be there and apologise. The song is self explanatory from the title and is about telling someone no matter what they can count on you.
The girls are back. Lennon & Maisy have the penultimate song with Rockin’ & Rollin’ written by Levin Hummon and Sean McConnell, and it talks about a relationship where you know it’s wrong and you are both headed in the wrong direction.Zoey, played by Chaley Rose, features once again in the show as the album closes off with a hymn her character sings at the funeral of Beverly.
That brings this review to a close! Definitely an album worth putting on your Christmas list this year!
Originally posted here.
