Here’s a brand new version of “Cold-Hearted Truth” from duo Swearingen & Kelli, recorded for Tom Rush’s “Rockport Sundays”. With a touch of grit and excellent control of her power and volume, Jayne Kelli delivers an emotional vocal performance, drawing the listener into this reflection on heartbreak. The couple’s soulful sound is perfect for these aching words and the feelings of loss. AJ Swearingen’s slide guitar is breathtaking – he wanders a weary melodic path, finding notes that sound beautifully lonesome.
After meeting at a songwriting club in Florida over ten years ago, the couple have released three well-crafted and well-received albums. While touring and preparing for the release of their next album, Swearingen & Kelli are releasing a series of standalone singles. In this video, we experience a version of the song with Kelli taking the vocal lead and making it her own, whole we see the
Enjoy the new version of “Cold-Hearted Truth” but check out this exclusive question-and-answer session with AUK first. Many thanks to Swearingen and Kelli for taking the time to give us the background of the song and video.
Exclusive Q&A from AJ Swearingen and Jayne Kelli of Swearingen & Kelli about the song and video:
What is the story behind this song? How did it come together? What is it about?
AJ – “We had recently moved to Nashville and were hanging out at the Station Inn on Monday nights listening to some great players. I was also listening to a lot of Buddy and Julie Miller songs at the time. I don’t think we sound anything like them, but inspiration comes from many directions. I had written a verse and chorus to “Cold-Hearted Truth” and was playing it over and over again sitting on the couch.”
Jayne – “When I first heard it, I thought it was someone else’s song, and I loved it. I jumped on board, and we finished the song before midnight. That was back in 2019 when we lived in this tiny place in Brentwood and got into a trend of staying up late and writing songs together. It was a really creative time for us.”
If listeners can take away one thing from having heard this song and watching the video, what do you hope that is?
Jayne – “If this song or video can offer someone a sense of catharsis during heartbreak, then that’s the biggest reward. It’s a privilege to be part of someone’s healing process, even if it’s just through a few verses.”
How does this song fit in among the others in your catalogue? How is it similar or different?
AJ – “This is one of my favourite songs that we wrote together. Jayne has an uncanny ability to pick up when I get hung up on lyrics. It’s like a continuation of one thought process.”
Jayne – “We operate from one brain after years of touring and doing literally everything together, except grocery shopping. I think a lot of music duos who are couples experience that! AJ and I write separately and incorporate that into Swearingen & Kelli, but when we write together, it becomes its own distinct thing.”
This is an alternate version of a song you released previously. How is it different from the original?
AJ – “Well, the main difference is that Jayne is singing lead vocal, whereas I sang lead on the original. And this isn’t the first time we have done this. I had written a song called “Hurtin’ Me,” and we quickly discovered that it was so much better from her perspective. I think that “Cold-Hearted Truth” is better from that angle as well.”
Tell us about the video. Where did you film it? Any fun stories from the video shoot?
AJ – “My old pal, Tom Rush, invited us to perform on his show, “Rockport Sundays”. We had just started performing the song out this new way with Jayne on lead vocals, and the audience was really responding to it. We thought it would be cool to try it out for a live video.”
Jayne – “It was so beautiful up in Maine in the thick of springtime. And to see Tom, the father of folk, release a great album called “Gardens Old, Flowers New” and have this “Rockport Sundays” series he films for his Patreon community at 83 years old, had a profound impact on me. After filming “Cold-Hearted Truth” live, we also performed Tom’s tearjerker of a song, “Toy Boat Song.” It was just an inspiring experience from start to finish.”
How does the video enhance the song?
Jayne – “At that point, we’d only just begun performing this alternate version, so the live video really captures that early, unrefined emotion. It’s exciting to have this moment documented—a glimpse of the song as it started evolving before we polished it further in the studio.”
Wow…what a voice!