Copeland James’ recent indie-folk single, “Garden of Secrets and Goodbyes,” recounts the bittersweet nostalgia of reflecting on time spent with someone who is no longer in their life. The release of this single coincided with James’ relocating across the country to New York to further pursue music–something I could only imagine making the themes of this song even more prevalent in their life than before. The feeling of memories fading as time passes can often be met with resentment, but James masterfully describes this feeling with such care for both their current and past self.
Throughout the verses, James thinks about a list of mundane objects that trigger specific memories with this person. Whether it is because of superstition, such as making wishes on dandelions or lucky pennies, or something seemingly insignificant such as an egg or quarters used at an arcade, we are invited on a journey to revisit moments that now hold more emotional weight then they ever imagined they could be. The reason for parting with this person is left unsaid, but the hopeful tone that concludes the song leaves the listener with the impression that positive memories can remain so, even if the people we have shared them with are no longer a part of our lives.
Take a listen to “Garden of Secrets and Goodbyes” on Spotify:
sam schucker
Sam was born and raised in New York and has been spoiled by live-music-loving parents.
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