Brad Paisley drops song feat. Zelenskyy on 1st anniversary of Russian invasion – National | 24CA News

Country 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 music entitled Same 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 year anniversary of the invasion, I’m reminded of the ways we are all so similar,” Paisley, 50, wrote on Instagram.

Same Here sees Paisley croon in typical nation stylings about visitors, beer, sunsets and watching sports activities. Using the favored American motifs, Paisley clearly hopes to remind listeners that the human spirit is identical all over the world, no matter geography, tradition or language.

“If you miss your mama and worry ’bout your babies / And love each other like crazy / And want someone to share your hopes and fears / Same here,” Paisley sings.

Though he by no means mentions Ukraine by identify, on the finish of the music, Paisley contains audio from a cellphone name between him and Zelenskyy, 45.

He asks Zelenskyy the right way to say “Same Here” in Ukrainian. The president responds, “Так само.”

“We speak different languages in our life, yes, but I think we appreciate the same things — children, freedom, our flag, our soldiers, our people; the biggest treasure we have — and friends,” Zelenskyy says within the music. “And we’re proud of our army who defends our freedom and will defend our lives.”

The music is Paisley’s first from his new document, Son of the Mountains, which might be launched later this yr.

2:19Zelenskyy fights again tears speaking about his household on 1-year mark of Russia-Ukraine conflict

Paisley instructed the Associated Press that Zelenskyy didn’t simply log out on the music — he even had some constructive criticism to supply.

“I think he understands that art is how you reach the most people, especially in the heart,” Paisley mentioned of Zelenskyy, who was an actor and comic earlier than turning into president. “He can give as many speeches as he can give, but it’s a lot easier to hear something with a melody maybe.”

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

“That’s where it gets really rewarding … feeling like maybe the heart of this helps paint the picture they want to paint,” Paisley mentioned.

Paisley’s royalties for the music might be donated to United24 to assist construct housing for hundreds of displaced Ukrainians whose houses had been destroyed within the conflict, he mentioned.

Using his platform to advocate for causes necessary to him has all the time been a part of his profession, whether or not it was opening a free grocery retailer in Nashville together with his spouse, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, or combating starvation by donating 1 million meals through the pandemic.

— with information from the Associated Press

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