“Soul Sweet Song” By Tedeschi Trucks Band

Credit: Swamp Family Music LLC

Tedeschi Trucks Band gives us a wallop of hope in their shining lament “Soul Sweet Song.”

Released as part of the band’s album “I Am The Moon: IV. Farewell” in 2022, “Soul Sweet Song” is a poignant reflection on the resiliency of life and the transformative power of music. The result is a musical tapestry that explores the ebb and flow of joy and sorrow.

Tedeschi Trucks Band Loses a Member

Tedeschi Trucks Band, a musical powerhouse formed by the marriage of blues guitar virtuoso Derek Trucks and soulful vocalist Susan Tedeschi, is an electrifying ensemble that transcends genre boundaries. The band boasts world-class musicians that have won a Grammy as a collective.

In 2019, the band lost one of those luminaries.

A cherished member of their ensemble, Kofi Burbridge, who played keyboard, organ, and flute for the group, died on February 15th, 2019. Burbridge was only 57 years old.

Kofi Burbridge plays the flute
Credit: Wikimedia Commons

On the same day, the band’s fourth album, “Signs,” was released. But it would take the group over three years to release music about their fallen member. And it was well worth the gestation period.

“Soul Sweet Song” Is Released

It’s immediately clear, from the rolling piano to Derek Truck’s first buoyant guitar strums: This song is not trying to be sad. This band has clearly had time to process the death of their friend.

Susan Tedeschi’s lyrics describe the process of time easing the burden:

After the tears and the spate of lonely days
After the noon-born shadows slowly faded
After your heavy stone was rolled away
Rollin’, rollin’
That’s when it finally came to me

This verse bleeds into the chorus, which, backed a choir of vocals, is nothing short of exuberant:

Now there’s no use wishin’ for your sweet return
‘Cause I see you in the mornin’ sun
And I hear you on the whispering wind
And I feel your rhythm movin’ me
‘Cause your soul’s sweet song’s still singin’

“Soul Sweet Song” feels less like a song about death and more like a true celebration of life. It somehow holds the sadness of losing someone, but the throbbing music pushes you past it, into the realms of exhilaration.

We can all fall into inevitable routines and thought loops that can dull our experience of life. But a death is the ultimate wake-up call. Anyone can go at any moment. Our time is so limited. Why don’t we spend that time dancing?

If you need help getting there, just listen to Tedeschi Trucks Band.