Music Monday: “The Love” by The Dear Hunter

Music Monday is a meme, created by Drew at The Tattooed Book Geek, where I focus on a song I absolutely love and feel needs to be shared.

Song: “The Love”
Artist: The Dear Hunter
Album: The Migrations Annex (2013)

Lyrics taken from genius.com

I was 22 when I first died
But in the darkest dark, I saw no light
And it was blinding just how dim it got
It was a cold I thought could never come

And I had hurt before but not like this
It was the strangest struggle I had ever hit
And I was useless to the world around me
To barely gather up the strength to say:

“Save me
When the rivers run dry
Bring me where the waters run deep
Where the eyes cannot see”

It was 25 and I died again
And I prepared myself for what the world would send
Cause I had felt this darkness wrap around me
And through its strangle I could barely beg:

“Save me
When the rivers run dry
Bring me where the waters run deep
Where the eyes cannot see”

I won’t forget about all the pieces I’ve lost
I won’t forget about all the pieces I’ve lost

I’m nearing 29 and I haven’t died
And I’m done with cursing at the skies
And I remember how my mother spoke when she said
“Son, don’t be afraid to call on those who love you most”

(Save me)
When the rivers run dry
(Bring me)
Where the waters run deep
Where the eyes cannot see

From a collection of b-sides written during the recording of The Dear Hunter’s 2013 album, Migrant, “The Love” is one of the most transparent songs written and performed by the band’s creative force, Casey Crescenzo. Driven by piano and accompanied by strings (I’m starting to see a pattern in my Music Monday’s recently), Crescenzo equates the heartbreak in his life to death, and recounts the times they have occurred. The track is slow, but relentless in its progression as Crescenzo’s voice becomes raw with emotion. I had the pleasure of seeing this song performed live as an encore, and it was even more evocative in person; I hope you enjoy it in this form as well.