In a moving blend of heartfelt sentiment and musical brilliance, singer-songwriter Rachel Burns is set to release her latest single, “Pollyanna’s Lament,” this new music Friday, June 2nd, which you can pre-save here. However, today we’re giving you the first listen, as well as a look at the video directed by Logen Christopher.
Following her debut EP, “Living My Breast Life,” which courageously chronicled her battle with breast cancer with a blend of wit and optimism, Burns continues to pour her personal experiences into her music. Her next EP, “What a Nasty Woman,” is set to release on July 7th.
“Pollyanna’s Lament” is a piano-driven composition that resonates with its gentle melody and poignant lyrics. Burns reveals that the song was inspired by a dream she had in the early hours of the morning, where her grandmother seemingly whispered the melody and hook to her. Driven by this ethereal encounter, Burns found herself drawn to the piano, effortlessly translating her emotions into a profound musical creation.
This song came to me in a dream around 4 AM. I felt it was my grandmother who whispered the melody and hook to me, and I woke up and went straight to the piano. I placed my hands over the keys, and I felt a presence with me as I played and wrote the song. I saw it as my grandmother’s lament of regret as she was a strong woman who unfortunately stayed in a marriage that was unsupportive, unloving, and neglectful.
By the time my daughters woke up in the morning, the song was completed. After watching them take in the lyrics and meaning, I remembered someone once told me that if you speak the truth, you can heal seven generations behind you and seven generations ahead of you. I knew after watching my daughters after I sang them the song that this could be a healing song for so many people going through challenging, toxic, or abusive relationships. And it could also be a warning sign for my daughters to never settle and know when it’s time to leave a relationship that is no longer functional.
And the song explores the journey of that personal sacrifice and the struggle to find one’s voice within a suffocating relationship. The lyrics express the universal experience of striving to be the perfect partner, bearing the weight of immense unhappiness. Through the verses, a compelling portrayal emerges, revealing the looming shadows cast by a partner’s presence while enduring their heartless behavior.
The song bares the painful reality of this experience, acknowledging the darkness that one tries to illuminate while being met with callousness. Despite recognizing the toxicity, there is a confession of suppressing instincts, incessantly apologizing, and diminishing one’s self to fulfill the desires of the partner.
While “Pollyanna’s Lament” delves into the anguish of remaining in an unfulfilling relationship, it also carries a message of resilience and self-discovery. It acknowledges the compromises made to avoid conflict, captured in the lyrics: “So what if I lied when I told him I loved him each night / I know if I didn’t there would be a fight.” Yet, an inner voice acknowledges the inherent wrongness of the situation, even as the metaphorical light continues to shine.
As the song unfolds, a gradual descent is revealed, as the light diminishes and the smile fades into a frown. There is an unwavering determination not to let the partner down, while the awareness of the possibility to walk away lingers in the mind. “Pollyanna’s Lament” is a beautifully crafted track that will grab your attention with its gentle allure and lyrics. The soft piano melodies and the emotive vocals weave together to create a mesmerizing sonic journey.
The song’s composition exudes a sense of elegance and grace, that is sure to draw you in with its delivery. Beyond its musical beauty, “Pollyanna’s Lament” carries a powerful and important message. It serves as a profound warning, shedding light on the perils of staying in toxic or abusive relationships.
Tonight, May 31st, in Washington, DC Rachel takes the stage at Pie Shop for a special performance. In anticipation of the upcoming release, Rachel will be joined by a group of talented musicians from the DMV-area.
The ensemble includes Jerrica White, Kisha Holmes, Bonita Hines, Joe Chiocca, Kevin Cordt, Tim Anderson, Timothy Bias, Timothy Burns, and Rand Gardner. The venue, Pie Shop, located at 1339 H Street NE. Doors open at 7:30 PM, and the show begins at 8 PM. This all-ages event.
Tickets are $15.00 which you can grab at https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/5010615/rachel-burnswhat-a-nasty-woman-show-washington-pie-shop
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