Release Me
I first heard Corrina Repp’s “Release Me” playing on the television from another room a couple of years ago. It should have been background noise, but it stopped me in my tracks.
I’m always glad when this song randomly comes on during shuffle, but I find myself the last year or so intentionally playing it, almost as a meditation.
Release me, from the pattern of electricity.
Save me, from the weeping and the wailing.
I'm rising, I'm rising, I'm rising, I'm rising.
There is a lot of pain in the world right now. From the national and tragic to the personal griefs we must all deal with, there are moments when it all seems too raw, too much. I find comfort in music during those times, and this song in particular these days. “Release Me” is light on lyrics, and when Repp sings it’s mostly to repeat the same lines. While emotion comes from the powerful lyrics, it’s the sound that moves me at times to tears. The music builds and builds. First with synthesized chords, then a guitar melody with a lone snare drum joining in, almost marching you out of your sorrow. Instruments are layered on until a chorus of voices joins Repp in powerfully singing along to the melody, without words.
A song alone won’t change the world, and it won’t take away your pain. But if you can feel stronger for six minutes listening to it, then it’s easier to believe that you’ll feel stronger and stronger until you too are rising.
“Release Me” is on Corrina Repp’s album The Pattern of Electricity (2015), available on iTunes and through other retailers.
Photo by Henry Be on Unsplash.
