Grief can ravage us in a myriad of ways. Oftentimes, it can be the simplest things that can trigger us to fall apart in sadness. The memories flood into the forefront of our minds and it can consume everything we do if the pain is still fresh. Rising country star Hailey Whitters highlights this particularly well on her new song "Casseroles," an ode to the little details that paint our love for someone even in passing.
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What makes "Casseroles" truly soar is its intricate details and how personable she is on the record. Whitters doesn't deflect or opt for a more vague, universal approach. Instead, she folds her own personal experience into the record and the grief she sings about becomes truly tangible. In a press release for the single, Hailey reveals how the song hit home when she heard it from her collaborators. "During my first listen, I was absolutely floored. I lost my brother suddenly thirteen years ago, and from that moment on, my life was changed forever," she says.
Hailey Whitters Tackles Grief and Loss on New Song "Casseroles"
"I particularly remember everyone bringing loads of food and casseroles over and how I couldn't eat for days because I was so distraught. Remembering that moment was what made this song hit so heavy for me," Hailey continues. "What happens when the casseroles stop coming and everyone has moved on, but it feels like you never will? As heavy and somber as the lyric and melody is, I also think there's hope in the message and pray that it lands between ears that need to hear it."
That's the terrifying part of grief. The world keeps going even when you remain frozen. Hailey captures that yearning so perfectly. Something as mundane as the casseroles not steaming from the oven anymore throws off the entire routine. Now the humming birds, the six strings, the wind, it feels a lot emptier. It's so easy to belt out in dramatic agony on these kinds of songs. Whitters thrives in painting those moments when the tears won't flow any longer.
