Voices in the Field

Album: The Thread That Keeps Us (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was inspired by poems written by people "uprooted by war and oppression." Vocalist/guitarist Joey Burns explained:

    "In the age of the extremes, when walls attempt stifling words, this song is inspired by the poems on postcards from those uprooted by war and oppression. It's a song to remind us to open up our hearts and hear other voices sing their stories. I was listening to Mavis Staples, Bombino, Joe Strummer, and Bob Dylan."
  • Joey Burns told UK newspaper The Sun about the track: "I've been enjoying the trance-like grooves of artists like Bombino and Tinariwen. I felt a musical connection and wanted to bring some of those qualities out on this song."

    He added: "Lyrically, voices in the field is drawing from the poems Syrian refugees wrote on postcards to deal with their experiences and feelings. I read similar heart wrenching accounts from Central America and Africa."
  • "Voices in the Field" was released as the lead single from The Thread That Keeps Us. Burns explained the album title:

    "The focus these days from media and politics is division and pushing people apart. We all feel it - the weight and tension of sparring words. We've watched as an era of extremes has flooded our world. Some of those dark things are touched on in the lyrics but for the title, I wanted to focus on the common ground of threads that bring us closer together. The phrase makes you ask what that connection is. It could be music, a cup of coffee or enjoying a walk in nature."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Ralph Casale  - Session Pro

Ralph Casale - Session ProSongwriter Interviews

A top New York studio musician, Ralph played guitar on many '60s hits, including "Lightnin' Strikes," "A Lover's Concerto" and "I Am A Rock."

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."