Ben Bostick – “Heavy Heart”
Americana Highways is hosting this premiere of Ben Bostick’s song “Heavy Heart” from his new album Become Other, which is releasing June 13. Become Other was created through a unique and meticulous process by Ben. He explains: “First I conceived of the overall concept, using this Beethovenian heroic symphony model to go on a journey of great struggle from dark to light. Then I worked out the beats of the hero’s journey—trapped in the tangle, self-delusion, epiphany, new vision and freedom. When I had the story worked out in some detail, I then started creating leitmotifs in dichotomous pairs that represent various aspects of the hero’s journey, both metaphorical and metaphysical—e.g. The Tangle vs. Freedom, The Void vs. Meaning, Despair vs. Serenity, etc… Each leitmotif is a variation of it’s dichotomous pair. From these leitmotifs I began writing the music, which is a tapestry of permutations of these foundational leitmotifs. As I was composing the music, I then started thinking about actual lyrics. So although I started thinking about the story first, the lyrics themselves came after the basic music was composed.”
Within this creation, “Heavy Heart” is the song that expresses the protagonist’s pivotal point. He’s at his lowest, about to give up, and looking for an indication, some kind of evidence that he should go on. It’s powerful and deeply anguished but also, full of a powerful hope. “I was born with a heavy heart / the burden brings me down to my knees.” Within the song’s lines are questions to a mama who was supportive and created a beautiful life full of hope for her child, and the protagonist has lost her, which doubles the heartache within the form of expression.
This video was collaboratively created by Chris Ruggiero and Ben Bostick, with major assistance from Marybeth Dinges and Cari Nelson. The metal heart that Ben drags behind him in the darkness was made by Atlanta metal artist Mark Baker.
“Heavy Heart” is about feeling unfairly burdened in life, on the verge of giving up, praying for a sign of hope to justify continuing. The protagonist feels as if he was born with a crushing sadness and cursed to carry it with him through his oppressive world devoid of light. He prays to be lifted up, to see the stars, to know that there is something beyond this tangle of depression and despair. – Ben Bostick
Enjoy our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Ben Bostick “The Rascal Is Back”
You can find more information and details here on his website: https://www.benbostick.com/
