By COLlive reporter
A new song by award-winning musician and composer Sarah Dukes takes listeners on a cathartic journey, validating and expressing a broken heart, a searching soul and the vulnerability of pain.
Dukes, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, was shaken when she learned about the tragic and sudden passing of Hindi Kanarfogel, a young mother in her neighborhood who left behind five children and her beloved husband.
She took to composing an emotional ballad reflecting on the experience of losing a loved one. The result was “Yesterday Again” which delivers a striking performance of emotional intelligence and vulnerability.
“This song was composed straight from my soul – my being- my essence,” says Dukes, whose stirring collection of original piano solos is featured on dozens of international radio stations and on multiple airline’s entertainment systems.
“I composed it after hearing about the tragic losses of some very special people, which shook me to my core,” she told COLlive.com. “I immediately began composing this song from deep in my soul. The emotions were so intense and overwhelming, and the only way I knew I could process and release them was through music.”
Dukes’ music has been solely instrumental until now. “Yesterday Again” is her debut as not only a songwriter but as a lyricist. In keeping with the halachic law that men are prohibited from hearing a woman sing, the song is movingly performed by Clay Agnew, a vocalist from Nashville, who brings a soulful yet haunting emotion to the song.
“Music has the power to evoke strong emotions and can be extremely healing,” Dukes says. “It can validate and acknowledge our pain and take us past the numbness to truly feel. Through this, we can once again feel a true connection, attachment, and love to and from others.”
“Yesterday Again” introduces a new level of musical beauty to Dukes’ already powerful collection of original compositions which were recognized when she was selected for the first round ballots for the 59th Grammy Awards.
“The emotions are raw, the lyrics are simple, the music, minimal,” Dukes says. “The song is delicate, while at the same time, so, so powerful and moving. And comforting.”
AUDIO:
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Dq10IL
iTunes: https://apple.co/2U8NK0J
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2AUeWZW
Follow @sarahdukesmusic on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates. For more information, or to purchase sheet music, please visit www.sarahdukesmusic.com.
This song really meant something to me as someone who struggles with grief and have lost many people I loved.
It is tough when people invalidate your grief because they “were not related to you” but this song just put it all into words.
Grief doesn’t go away as many people used to think and time doesn’t heal pain. Grief should not be seen as a weakness, a disorder or a disease because it’s not.
It’s the price we pay for love.
I would feel much more comfortable with this song if it had a hint of Jewish content in it. We are meant to use our talents to serve Hashem. A major part of dealing with a loss should be turning to Hashem, yet He has sadly been left out of the song.
Further, I am extremely uncomfortable with the angel part. It seems to suggest that people become angels after they die, which I believe is a totally non-Jewish concept.
Beautiful song Sarah
Now I just want to go and hug those I love and tell them what they mean to me.
I never even lost anyone, although those close to me did, and yet, I was still moved to real tears when I heard this. There’s something about this song, something so real and heartfelt, that even if I don’t truly understand what you’re going through, I’m still feeling it thru the power of your music. It truly tells a story far beyond what anything else can say. It woke up a part of me so vulnerable, that I didn’t know even existed. Thank you for this.
I would really appreciate it if it can also be sing but a yid. It sounds like it’s not, and since i don’t listen to goyish music, I would like a version that I would be comfortable listening too.
Great some though
Powerful song, really triggered the emotions burried beneath me. You have an awesome talent, use it to make Jewish souls happy and keep up with the amazing songs!
Beautiful song, heartfelt lyrics!
Cannot stop listening and cannot stop crying As someone who unfortunately, like so many others, has lost a loved one, I’ve gone through quite a journey over the years, but this just sums everything up; the shock, the pain, the apprehension, hopefulness and helplessness, nostalgia etc. It perfectly captures all the raw emotions of the five stages of grief; denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance and the back and forth between them. Simply incredible how it captures the lack of structure or cohesion in emotional response. I’ve never been one to cry, but this just cut through all the dirt… Read more »
This is such a beautiful composition. Sarah Dukes really touched my soul with this song. Super moving.
It so good to get a good cry after losing my dear bubby suddenly at a young age. Bought much comfort and reassurance that she is alright with Hashem.
So proud of u!! What talent u posess!!
Beautiful melody heart wrenching lyrics! Well done and well sung!
Like the melody very much though
Sarah what a beautiful song.
Everything we fear should someone leave us too early or even ever.
I love you my children. I hope you hear it from me often.
Clay was a great choice! This is not a Jewish pain it is a universal pain and love and sorrow
Why is it okay for Jon Voight to do voiceovers on chabad videos but Clay Agnew can’t sing a song written by a yid?
Don’t be moisif al ha mitzvos …. dayecha mah she’osartcha Torah.
Sarah, such a beautifully written and composed song!
Your lyrics are exceptional ❤
please write more
WOW!
Beautiful song.
perhaps a singer with a more Yiddishe touch can also sing it
much hatzlacha
It is beautiful. It really does Tug at your heart, congratulations Sarah what a win.
Thank you
So powerful. Thank you for sharing. Made me cry.
Reminder to tell someone you love them. Today.
Seriously? Welcome to the new Jewish Music Era, folks.
Thanks so much for such a touching song. So emotional , the lyrics, the composition, and the great choice of vocalist!
May you have only happy reasons to continue to write and compose
Nice song, though is this a yid singing? If not are we allowed to listen to a goy sing? Even if its a jewish composer?
Im really just curios what halacha and The Rebbe says about this… Would love feedback with sources.
Sara this is a winner. Can’t wait to see how far this song goes.
E&T
I had been thorough a really hard lost , i was really emotional to hear
This really elicited a strong emotional response from me, more than I expected. Thank you for creating such beautiful music
Powerful song. Love the lyrics, this guy’s voice, the melody.
Definitely going on the spotify playlist!
Fabulous lyrics. Very moving and emotionally charged music. I started to cry listening to this beautiful piece of music.
Thank you for creating this song that goes through to my heart
I just recently lost my grandfather and this song really made me cry when I heard it. I really miss him and wish it were “Yesterday again”. At the same time I do “know he is happy now” in shomayim and has nachas from me and all his grandchildren.
What an awesome song!