"We Will Get Through This" By Chris Oledude
By By Kathy Brutus
From the first moments of the song, We Will Get Through This welcomes listeners with the opportunity to reflect on the song's meaning. Textures, tones, and melodic phrasings allow the song to be set in an intimate setting before resetting the pace for the first verse. Emotions seem to guide the song rather than any overbearing elements. Light but unobtrusive, Latin elements to the percussion set an inviting atmosphere and don't distract from the message in the song. The soft, expressive lines of the guitar Tomas Rodriguez plays support and don't overtake the vocals, giving the song an organic feel.
Unlike most songs of this style, Oledude sings of emotional resilience, sticking by someone, and friendship. The lyrics address the darkness, mental health, substance use, emotional exhaustion, and the struggles of the person the song is about. The lyrics do not give platitudes, nor do they offer up unachievable promises. The lyrics say, ''i will stay, I will listen, and we will believe that healing is attainable.'' This lends the song the emotional load it carries. The lyrics offer a message that is pertinent to people currently experiencing a sense of fatigue, loss, and personal battles, and is all the more relevant to a world of viewers experiencing a sense of fatigue, loss, and personal battles.
There is a lot of passion and connection in the performance that is really present in the song. When Chris Oledude sings, he sounds calm, collected, and in control; he is not emotional, but he gives the performance the necessary feeling. He has a calm voice that will melt you, and he is a seasoned voice in gospel and soul. He elevates the track a lot. Oledude uses Yanitza Lee very well. She is not just a background voice to paint the song; her soprano is a harmonious and melodic voice that sings a full duet of Oledude; they have a musical conversation. When they have parts of the song where they hold and intertwine, it is not just a performance. It feels like two friends giving each other sentimental, emotional, and supportive confidence.
We will get through this is very well produced. He tightly and thoughtfully balances the acoustic and electric sounds, and the emotion is carried well. Textured and layered background vocals increase the emotional and court sides of the song. The song in production gives emotion and space. It showcases to the listener Oledude's emotional intentions and purpose behind the song, devoid of any showy characteristics to get attention.
The narrative surrounding each song adds even more context. After Chris Oledude spent a year with a small non-profit helping people with mental health and substance abuse issues, he wrote the song as a reflection and a tribute. He performed it for the first time at the Philipstown Behavioral Health Hub in Cold Spring, NY. As part of Oledude’s journey, Oledude is "PREACHER MAN – VOL. 1," the song illustrates Oledude's vision of making art that celebrates social awareness, empathy, and the art of fusion blues, gospel, pop, and soul.
Chris Oledude is an artist who does not shy away from wearing empathy on his sleeve. This song is a ballad and a testament to the beauty of music and the healing it brings. This song is a testament to Oledude’s artistry. It is personal and at the same time universal. The song, no matter if you actively listen to it or let it play in the background, is a song that lingers with you after it is done playing. It is an ample song to take time to listen to. You might find that it is the most comforting song for you at the moment.