{"id":62743,"date":"2020-06-03T11:00:40","date_gmt":"2020-06-03T10:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/?p=62743"},"modified":"2020-06-03T11:05:25","modified_gmt":"2020-06-03T10:05:25","slug":"faith-over-family-the-pride-month-anthem-from-elton-johns-protege","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2020\/06\/faith-over-family-the-pride-month-anthem-from-elton-johns-protege\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Faith Over Family\u2019: The Pride Month Anthem From Elton John\u2019s Prot\u00e9g\u00e9"},"content":{"rendered":"

James Billett, the man who was, for a while, known as Elton John\u2019s prot\u00e9g\u00e9, has just released his new single – \u2018Faith Over Family\u2019.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

For a record released on the cusp of Pride month, it\u2019s pretty appropriate. In it, Billet takes on the mantle of a gay man whose fundamentally religious father will not accept him. It\u2019s a heartbreaking tale of homophobia and rejection, but also of love and hope in the face of adversity, and ultimately leaves you with a feeling of quiet triumph.<\/p>\n

Lyrically, this song is both beautiful and heartbreaking, and paired with Billett\u2019s intelligent songwriting style, sense of melody and folksy arrangement, makes for a truly beautiful release which cements Billett\u2019s name on the scene for future releases. Lines like, \u201cyou choose paper over skin again,\u201d ring true well after the song has ended, and the last few lyrics of, \u201conly you can change, you can change, you can change,\u201d are bittersweet and heart-breaking.<\/p>\n

Told in Billett\u2019s softly-spoken vocal tone (which sits somewhere between James Taylor and Ray LaMontagne), the song reflects a gentleness and quiet determination which many of us may find comforting at a time like this. As we move into what must be one of the strangest Pride months in living memory, it is important to remember to stay strong, and that this too shall pass.<\/p>\n