Hear Kenny Chesney’s New Song ‘Rich and Miserable’
Kenny Chesney has released the third single from his forthcoming album, and "Rich and Miserable" packs a strong punch. The song is about the dangers of putting all our hope in our dreams, and the lyric video features a strong cast of New York City regulars.
Similar to "Noise," Chesney's first single off the upcoming Cosmic Hallelujah, "Rich and Miserable" brings new depth to the singer's career. Both songs add social commentary to his song repartee, going beyond the well-known (and well-loved) party anthems that Chesney is known for. And while "Noise" explored the effects of technological distraction, this latest track delves into the "American dream" and what happens when attaining it just leads to more misery.
"We're too young until we're too old / We're all lost on the yellow brick road / We climb the ladder but the ladder just grows / We're born, we work, we die, it's spiritual," sings Chesney in the chorus "Enough is never enough / American dream never wakes up / Too much is never too much / We won't be happy 'til we're rich and miserable."
In exploring the potentially devastating effects of being consumed in our pursuit of more, the lyric video for "Rich and Miserable" was aptly filmed in New York City. Black-and-white shots of the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street and other monuments to freedom and wealth combine with a diverse range of New Yorkers holding chalkboards with the lyrics. From wealthy businessmen to convenience store cashiers, from teenagers to grandparents, from every race and economic background and stage of life, "Rich and Miserable" reveals that no matter where we find ourselves in the pursuit of our dreams, we always have the choice to exhaust ourselves striving for what's next or to stop every once in a while and enjoy the present.
"This song is very unique for me," says Chesney in a Facebook post. "I've been guilty of letting dreams be my master. I think the idea of me singing this song is me finally letting that go in my life and trying to live in the moment as much as I possibly can."
"Rich and Miserable" is Chesney's third song to be released from his 17th studio album, Cosmic Hallelujah. The song follows "Noise," as well as July's "Setting the World on Fire," recorded as a duet with Pink. Chesney's latest album will be released on Oct. 28, but fans can pre-order Cosmic Hallelujah on iTunes now and receive four tracks immediately, including "Rich and Miserable."
Kenny Chesney Through the Years
How Well Do You REALLY Know Kenny Chesney?