Ten years ago (has it been that long already?), former Little Texas lead singer Tim Rushlow had solo success on Atlantic Records with the Top 10 hit "She Misses Him." The song tackled the rarely seen topic of Alzheimer's disease and the effect that it has on a relationship. It was a moving, inspired ballad that had the misfortune of coming on the verge of Atlantic Nashville's closure. Now, ten years later, newcomer Brett Eldredge (signed to the rebooted Atlantic Nashville) has released his own take on a story-song about Alzheimer's.
Here, the narrator works at a hospital, where he takes care of an elderly Alzheimer's patient. The lyrics are full of the little details in the patient's life that are, of course, recounted through her — how she "can't believe it's already 1943" and goes on about Thanksgiving, Christmas and the weather. And of course, how she believes that the narrator is her son, Raymond. Eldredge has a deep, sturdy, everyman voice not unlike latter-day John Michael Montgomery, and he finds the right level of sincerity without making the song sticky-sweet. When it gets to the bridge, which reveals that Raymond actually died in the Vietnam War, and the narrator promises to "fill in the best he can," all of the emotions hit in just the right place.
There hasn't been much going on yet as far as Atlantic Nashville as concerned, but "Raymond" seems like a very, very promising start for a new act. It's one of those rare debut singles that gets your attention right away, while at the same time showing off a great deal of vocal and songwriting talent. It's easily the best debut single I've heard since Matt Kennon's "The Call" late last year, and with any luck, "Raymond" should be a big hit. At the very least, it should be enough for him to get his foot in the door and show us what else he's capable of.
Listen to the song by clicking here.
You can support Brett Eldredge by purchasing this single at Amazon | iTunes.
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