Veteran country singer and songwriter Sheryl Crow sends out a powerful message to the universe through a hauntingly poignant rendition of Johnny Cash’s “Redemption Day.”
Like many people, Crow is concerned about the state of the world and the future her children might be inheriting. So, this is her way of voicing it out to the world, accompanying the remake of her meditative 1996 ballad from her eponymous sophomore album.
Redemption Day
The newer version melds Crow’s contemporary take on the song with the original Cash cover, which he recorded shortly before his death in 2003 and released in 2010.
“Johnny Cash recorded it [in 2003] and felt like it would be the cornerstone of his record. He was adamant about knowing what every lyric meant and he really delivered the song in a way that felt like for him it would be the most important song on his record . . . but two months later he passed, so cut to now and I’m making a record of collaborations and I asked the family if they would give me their blessing in letting me use his vocal. I feel like the song has finally found its moment. I re-recorded it, rearranged it, and Johnny and I are both singing the song. I hope he would be proud of what we’ve done and feel like it has met its moment.”
The music video for “Redemption Day” is directed by Shaun Silva. It incorporates the footage of Crow and Johnny next to scenes of a young child watching history unfold, in all of its tragedy and triumph.
“As a mom of two young kids, I see that our kids watch what we do on their behalf and how we shape their future. They’re privy to everything visual, especially now, and there’s no way to shield your child from the roughness of reality. If we could see the world through a child’s eyes, we would make different decisions.”
Watch the video below!
