A Song About a Late Friend
“If I Ever Get To Heaven” by Daniel Seavey
Through the ears and mind of someone who has experienced unexpected loss and grief, Daniel Seavey’s song “If I Ever Get To Heaven” paints a sonic canvas with a deep blue palette.
“If I ever get to heaven is out now I hope it helps you in some way like it helped me,” wrote Daniel in an Instagram post about the song
To state it plainly:
I love the song. It’s both honest and nuanced (e.g., “a car” versus “that car”). Musically, it’s put together really well.
It was released on November 21st, 2024 after Daniel performed it in memory of his late friend Corey La Barrie at a show in Adelaide, Australia. The ways in which Daniel has embedded his emotion into the song are the reasons why it is noteworthy to me.
For those who enjoy reading about music from an artistic lens, keep reading:
Prime the blank page with nature’s song before the soft sounds of piano keys enter. Slightly distant, wonderfully raw with the sustain pedal lifting and pressing down within ears’ reach. It embodies the spirit which eddies personal reflection.
Then enters the artist’s voice.
Purposeful strokes create a sketch. The slate is no longer blank. You’re no longer observing the artist create, rather listening. And in a way, it wasn’t really ever empty from the moment it was in the hands of Daniel Seavey. The lyrical monologue is conversational, confessional, and contemplative. An entry so personal, yet resonant.
The colours run past the lines.
Gentle marks become accentuated in the auditory illustration. The sense of conflicting feelings of faith and loss of a loved one build in tandem with the vocals and instrumentals. It settles momentarily before rising into a direct, unguarded line of questioning. A final subdued blue line completes the canvas as “Forgive me I’m just asking” is sung.
CLOSING NOTES:
Listen to If I Ever Get To Heaven | Watch the official lyric video
Read Daniel’s Instagram post about the song
For inquiries, you can connect with me, Samantha Lim, on LinkedIn or Instagram.
