This has been some year for Roseanne Reid. Her critically-acclaimed debut album, ‘Trails’, has just been named one of the records of 2019 by the Sunday Times and ‘Amy’ has been nominated in the UK song of the year category for the Americana Music Association UK Awards. The same song won the Lyric Only category at Nashville’s International Song Competition ahead of 160,000 other entries. Reid has toured with the likes of Caroline Spence, Robert Vincent and Ferris & Sylvester and she put on a spellbinding show at the Black Deer Festival. The legendary Steve Earle has championed Reid and even provided guest vocals for ‘Sweet Annie’, one of Reid’s most beautiful songs. The first single from the album was the sublime ‘I Love Her So’. Americana-UK caught up with Reid after she wrapped up her touring schedule for the year to explore the single in more detail.
Roseanne, ‘I Love Her So’ is really heartfelt. Can you tell us about the ‘story’ of the song and what it means to you?
‘I Love Her So’ was the first song I wrote for my wife. It was one of two songs that feature on ‘Trails’ that was the result of shutting myself away in the shed in my family home for 6 hours, no phone or technology allowed – just a guitar and writing materials. I got the simple chord progression first, and the lyrics followed quickly after.
I knew I wanted to write something that captures the deep love I have for this person, but in the most simple and relatable terms possible.
It’s probably the song that takes the most courage to perform live, because I’m so obviously singing of my feelings for another woman. You can’t predict the reaction that will trigger from show to show, but it’s cathartic for me. It ends up being the song that connects me to the audience more often than not actually! I end most shows with it, and it sets a lovely warm, mellow atmosphere to finish off my set.
When it came to recording this song, I couldn’t even have dreamed up the form it took on. Teddy Thompson, who produced the album, told me in advance that he was working on a full band, Motown arrangement for the song. In the studio, we got it in two takes I think. The energy was special, and it was a total thrill for me to end up with a track that captures the spirit of some of my Soul heroes like Sam Cooke and Amos Lee. The wonderful horns you hear throughout were added as an overdub, and they pull it all together. It’s a slight step away from most of the songs on the album in the respect that it’s a retro, Soul song. I would class ‘Trails’ as a Roots album, and it’s lifted and embodied by the spirit of ‘I Love Her So’.
Next, I’m working on a new album to be recorded and released in 2020. I have more than an album’s worth of songs ready to go, and I’m hoping to get back into the studio in February/March time. I’ll be on the road a lot too, and I’ll be announcing a few European dates shortly! I don’t know where these songs will take me, but that’s part of what keeps me on my toes with this job. It’s a hell of an adventure!
Lyrics:
She’s a Sunday morning, waking up real slow
She’s a feel you’re falling, then the softest hand to hold
And the world is restless down below
But I love her so
She’s the one you long for in a crowded room
A billion stars around you, and all you see is the moon
When I’m miles away she brings me home
And I love her so
Well I thought that I was happy darling
I thought I knew my mind just fine
But you’re a walking talking second chance girl
And I’m gonna get it right this time
I can’t bring you diamonds, can’t bring you gold
I can’t whisper sweet things you ain’t already been told
But I hope to God she’ll always know
That I love her so
Read Americana-UK’s review of ‘Trails’ here:
