Sugarland just released the most emotional song from their new album Bigger yet. Officially the fifth song released off the upcoming album, "Tuesday's Broken" addresses school shootings and cyber bullying head on.
In the gorgeous, guitar-driven ballad, vocalist Jennifer Nettles sets a scene growing all too familiar in the United States. "Yesterday hell rained down," Nettles sings. "Another kid, another school in another town."
But despite the somber message, Nettles and Bush also deliver a glimmer of hope. Asking if we at least try to reach the broken with words. In a particularly poignant twist, the second verse deals with cyber bullying. But the personal hurt the victim feels is parallel to the motivation that drove the school shooter.
It's a bold lyrical device, and one that hopefully won't be lost on listeners. Sugarland implores listeners to reach out and connect to both aggressors and victims in a subtle and touching way.
It's really important to see country artists addressing these pivotal moments in society head on. There are plenty of artists who offer condolences or make references to tragedy without making it personal.
But in "Tuesday's Broken," Nettles and Bush take a very clear stand that they won't let the "controversy" of the topic derail the conversation about it.
Bigger comes out on June 8.
"Tuesday's Broken" Lyrics
Yesterday hell rained down
Another kid, another school in another town
I think about how to tell my son
And I think about how that one got a gun
There are mysteries down where the blood meets the bone
And the loneliness there wouldn't leave him alone
But what if we tried to reach him with words?
What if we looked in his eyes and asked, 'Where does it hurt?'
Would he find all he was worth?
Monday was hoping but Tuesday's broken
On a bed, feet up on the wall
Her eyes are red and wet and she wants to end it all
Easy to be mean on the screen, cowards call you names
She reads the lies and multiplies the hurt and shame
Man it's a numbers game
But there are mysteries down where the blood meets the bone
And the loneliness there won't leave her alone
But what if we tried to reach her with words?
What if we looked in her eyes and asked, 'Where does it hurt?'
Would she find all she was worth?
Monday was hoping but Tuesday's broken
Like voices that won't make a sound
We keep missing chances to turn it around
If someone is hurting right now
Open your mouth
What if we tried to reach them with words?
What if we looked in their eyes and asked, 'Where does it hurt?'
Would they find all that they're worth
Monday was hoping
Don't leave it unspoken
Tuesday's broken
