Garrett Anthony Rice “Going Up (to see him)”: A Powerful Song About Grief, Love and Healing
Everyone has a different way of processing pain and grief. To some they deal it with immediately and let everything out, to others they told onto it and embrace it, to some too it doesn’t hit them that moment and later is when they take the time to process everything. But there’s this one that bothers me like have you ever held onto a heavy memory for so long that you forgot what it felt like to talk about it? The thing is sometimes it takes decades to process a big loss, hit pause on the daily noise, and finally let those deep feelings out into the world. Irish singer-songwriter Garrett Anthony Rice deals with that long-term healing on his single, “Going Up (to see him)“.
Taken as the lead track from his upcoming 18-song double album “EQUINOX”, the record transforms years of personal heartbreak into a big, beautiful anthem. And this is what makes grief funny sometimes, because sometimes when you act on it that moment, things may be too sad for you to even hold yourself together, so at a some point you don’t treat it as a sad grief anymore and instead make it a celebration. What grabs your attention on “Going Up (to see him)” the moment the play button is released is how rich and beautiful the welcoming notes feels from the very start.
You’re welcomed with these gentle, elegant piano chords played by Tim Will, which sets a quiet and respectful tone. Before you even say anything, Geoff Dugmore’s steady drum sweeps in and Chris Webb’s smooth bassline lands, anchoring the song with a warm, grounded rhythm section. Adam Phillips then adds his glowing electric guitar lines that lift the melody higher as the song gathers steam. Now something intriguing here is the inclusion of the Dublin African Gospel Choir on backing vocals. Man it’s soo good to listen to, it’s got this calmness about it that strikes your emotions really well without making you sad, those backing vocals are soothing, the electric guitar strings? Just magnificent, the way each instrument is allowed to shine without getting overpowered is wholesome.
The song which was written as a tribute to Garrett’s best friend who died by suicide back in the early 1990s, is a deeply personal song crafted to leave you without feeling weighed down by sadness. It carries a very comforting atmosphere about enduring love and connection. It talks about how the people we lose never truly leave us completely behind. No, sometimes they are look over as, directing us in ways we don’t see but feel. Cos sometimes you do something and it hits you like nah, this is soo much like how this person would have done it. Then their memories hits us and instead of crying, we smile and go ahead knowing very well they been with us through it all.
It offers a gentle hand to anyone who has lost a loved one under tough circumstances. The track reminds us that healing takes as long time, and that hope can still shine through even the deepest darkness. What’s the power of darkness at the expense of a little light? So why let grief consume you, when you can instead celebrate them and enjoy the memories they left behind.
I’ve to give it to Garrett Anthony Rice for delivering a stunning single that combines top-tier studio musicianship with honest, unfiltered emotion. It’s a beautifully produced single, with a comforting message that heals and will hit anyone who values authentic Irish songwriting. It’s got great harmonies, beautiful atmosphere and a message that will leave you smiling instead of being sad. So go ahead and give it a listen and rather celebrate our lost ones instead of being sad they are gone!
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