“You Should Be Here” is the debut single from his forthcoming sophomore studio album. The song’s music video, which takes place at a cemetery, is a very moving homage to his late father, former U.S. air force sergeant William Keith Swindell, who had passed away tragically two years ago. It is definitely a tear-jerker, especially in the end, where he and his brothers gather round his grave to grieve and mourn the loss of their father. Swindell tackles the song’s sensitive subject matter with much sentimentalism.
It shows flashbacks of Swindell calling his father to tell him the news about inking his record deal with Warner Music Nashville, and it consists of some of his proudest moments in his career, which his father was not afforded the privilege to see, including his 2015 win for the Academy of Country Music (ACM) award for “New Artist of the Yea” and performing on the hallowed Grand Ole Opry stage.
“You should be here, standing with your arm around me here, cuttin’ up, crackin’ a cold beer, sayin’ cheers, hey y’all it’s sure been a good year,” Swindell sings.
The Verdict
Overall, Cole Swindell deserves a standing ovation for his new song, “You Should Be Here,” and its music video. One will need a box of Kleenex or two nearby, as he pours his heart on this song. He is not afraid to showcase his vulnerability on this melancholic ballad, and it will certainly strike a chord with his fans and listeners. With “You Should Be Here,” Swindell has released the most compelling song of his career. This song deserves a Grammy nomination for “Best Country Solo Performance” at next year’s awards ceremony.
For more information on country sensation Cole Swindell, check out his official website.
