Dean Mueller — “Life Ain’t All Roses”
Americana Highways presents this premiere of Dean Mueller’s song “Life Ain’t All Roses,” the title track from his forthcoming album due to be available on June 16. Life Ain’t All Roses was produced, recorded, and mixed by Kevin McKendree; recorded at The Rock House, Franklin TN; and mastered by Alex McCollough of True East Mastering.
“Life Ain’t All Roses” is Dean Mueller on acoustic guitar and lead vocals; Kevin McKendree on keyboards and background vocals; Dave Jacques on bass; Steve Hinson on electric guitars, pedal steel, dobro, and sitar; and Kenneth Blevins on drums.
Part epiphany and part eulogy, this song crystallizes that moment when you look back and realize your parents maybe did the best they could after all: “from a boy to a man it’s a hell of a run, if you can hear me in heaven now, I’d like to say life ain’t all roses but thanks Dad, you did it okay.” Let this song give you some food for thought.
“Life Ain’t All Roses” is one of the pieces that I wrote while my dad was passing away during Covid. Unfortunately, I couldn’t visit him, so I wrote a letter for my mom to read to him. But he was pretty far gone, and I’m not sure if he could understand, he passed away very quickly. The central idea of the letter was to acknowledge that although we had conflict while I was growing up, I wanted him to know that I thought he was a good man and did the best he knew how.
When I wrote the third verse, I couldn’t help but break down, thinking about how I hope my son feels the same way about me. That sentiment really hits home, and I believe it’s something that everyone can relate to.
I chose this song as the title track because it’s so personal, honest, and meaningful. I really tried to connect with the heart through the whole record and I hope that people can feel and relate to the emotion behind it. — Dean Mueller
Discover more here: https://deanmueller.com/