Joel Crouse, Ed Sheeran Address Suicide Prevention With ‘On My Way’
Such a beautiful song, and an important message.
Nashville singer-songwriter Joel Crouse teams up with pop superstar Ed Sheeran on a new track dedicated to mental health awareness, sending love and support to those in desperate need.
Built on plaintive acoustic guitars, understanding vocals and a pop-folk sound as welcoming as a warm hug, Crouse co-wrote the uplifting track with Sheeran and Kyle Rife in Music City last year, but says he had no idea their session would result in something so deep. Finding the humanity underneath the stigma of mental illness, Crouse and Sheeran’s ongoing collaboration stems from time spent opening shows for Taylor Swift on the Red Tour in 2013.
“I had the privilege of writing this song with two great friends, and I don’t think any of us knew how powerful of an impact it would have,” Crouse says of the song. “Mental health is incredibly important to me and this song is very personal, as it truly shares a powerful message of support during the darkest hours of a close friend. When ‘life’ hits, we often have a hard time asking for help, which shouldn’t be the case. I hope this song reaches as many people as possible who need to hear its message.”
“You don’t have to hurt yourself,” goes the striking chorus. “I’m on my way.”
“On My Way” was produced by Davis Naish, and Crouse has another big milestone coming this week. He’ll celebrate his first cut as a songwriter Hootie & the Blowfish’s “Wildfire Love” (featuring Lucie Silvas), which he also wrote with Sheeran, Rife and Hootie frontman Darius Rucker. The track will appear on the band’s reunion album, Imperfect Circle, which arrives November 1.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “help” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
