A summer song I can keep on repeat.
American Aquarium is gearing up to release their 10th studio album The Fear of Standing Still in July, which was produced by the great Shooter Jennings, and recorded at the historic Sunset Sound Studios in Los Angeles, California.
They previously released the lead single “Crier,” and today, they put out the nostalgic and warm second single “Cherokee Purples.”
Written by frontman BJ Barham, he recalls his uniquely southern summers in childhood spent at his grandmas house enjoying the little things and learning valuable life lessons, like that tobacco can take out the sting from most bugs and you should always keep an aloe plant around for a burn.
Additionally, he touches on some very nostalgic memories, like spending a lazy summer day with her in the garden and enjoying a tomato sandwich, which is a southern delicacy that my grandparents still enjoy to this day… but it has to be made with a garden fresh tomato, and you absolutely have to use Duke’s mayonnaise (that is not up for debate):
“Ain’t it funny how a memory comes flooding back so fast
When you accidentally stir up moments from the past
Back when things were easy, not a care in the world
Back when summer days seemed to move in circles
Duke’s mayonnaise and Cherokee Purples”
I personally relate deeply to pretty much every lyric in this song, and spent very similar summer days with my grandparents in western North Carolina.
It’s funny how so many of us remember things like that, which you never think is going to have such a big impact on your life until you look back. Sometimes, those summer days felt endless, and I only wish they really would’ve been.
And I second BJ here… call your grandma just because:
“Our new single ‘Cherokee Purples’ is available everywhere you listen to music. Give it a spin, tag a friend and give your grandma a phone call just because.
Happy ‘Mater Season to all who celebrate!!!”
And if you haven’t had a tomato sandwich yet, this should inspire you to get on that ASAP now that we are officially in tomato season:
The Fear of Standing Still will be out everywhere on July 26th.
Go ahead and give “Cherokee Purples” spin:
“Cherokee Purples”
