Brad Paisley drops tune feat. Zelenskyy on 1st anniversary of Russian invasion – Nationwide

Nation singer Brad Paisley and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are the duo that nobody anticipated — however collectively they’ve created a heartwarming world ballad.

On Friday, Paisley launched a brand new tune entitled Identical Right here to mark the sombre one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The monitor options phrases spoken by President Zelenskyy, who boldly boasted concerning the resiliency of Ukraine and its individuals.

“On this one yr anniversary of the invasion, I’m reminded of the methods we’re all so related,” Paisley, 50, wrote on Instagram.

Identical Right here sees Paisley croon in typical nation stylings about site visitors, beer, sunsets and watching sports activities. Utilizing the favored American motifs, Paisley clearly hopes to remind listeners that the human spirit is identical around the globe, no matter geography, tradition or language.

“When you miss your mama and fear ’bout your infants / And love one another like loopy / And need somebody to share your hopes and fears / Identical right here,” Paisley sings.

Although he by no means mentions Ukraine by title, on the finish of the tune, Paisley consists of audio from a cellphone name between him and Zelenskyy, 45.

He asks Zelenskyy tips on how to say “Identical Right here” in Ukrainian. The president responds, “Так само.”

“We converse totally different languages in our life, sure, however I feel we recognize the identical issues — kids, freedom, our flag, our troopers, our individuals; the largest treasure we now have — and mates,” Zelenskyy says within the tune. “And we’re happy with our military who defends our freedom and can defend our lives.”

The tune is Paisley’s first from his new report, Son of the Mountains, which shall be launched later this yr.

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Zelenskyy fights again tears speaking about his household on 1-year mark of Russia-Ukraine struggle

Paisley informed the Related Press that Zelenskyy didn’t simply log off on the tune — he even had some constructive criticism to supply.

“I feel he understands that artwork is the way you attain the most individuals, particularly within the coronary heart,” Paisley mentioned of Zelenskyy, who was an actor and comic earlier than changing into president. “He may give as many speeches as he may give, but it surely’s loads simpler to listen to one thing with a melody perhaps.”

Paisley, a three-time Grammy Award winner, mentioned he’s been invited to go to Ukraine, which he’d love to do. Within the meantime, he hopes the tune’s message will bolster the nation now dealing with a second yr of struggle.

“That’s the place it will get actually rewarding … feeling like perhaps the guts of this helps paint the image they need to paint,” Paisley mentioned.

Paisley’s royalties for the tune shall be donated to United24 to assist construct housing for 1000’s of displaced Ukrainians whose houses have been destroyed within the struggle, he mentioned.

Utilizing his platform to advocate for causes essential to him has at all times been a part of his profession, whether or not it was opening a free grocery retailer in Nashville along with his spouse, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, or preventing starvation by donating 1 million meals throughout the pandemic.

— with information from the Related Press

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