The veteran New York-based singer-songwriter and folk artist Steven Keene has established a reputation for composing timely social critiques. For example, his 2020 album Them and Us features the galvanizing title track and the stirring “Save Yourself”.
He recently released his latest single “Soon”, his first release since Them and Us. Keene masterfully exposes a numb world sleepwalking towards the third World War and climate extinction.
Like many of the best protest tunes, he successfully balances a sense of mourning with a feeling of hopefulness. That intent is highlighted by what Keene states:
“There’s so much hate going on right now. There’s so much discrimination and so much discord. It’s just insane the way the world has become. This song confronts that hate. It talks about getting back to Earth and protecting the planet. It talks about bringing up children to be fair, equal, and inclusive. It talks about initiating that ripple of change that will lead to the inevitability of a better world …someday soon.”
“Everybody can interpret the song in their own way. But I think it’s a pretty easy read because it’s really just about hope. I believe strongly that it’s going to happen; it’s just not happening right now. It may not be tomorrow, but it’s gonna happen, so look what we have to look forward to on this planet. Everybody’s gonna align one day and feel the same way about helping, about not discriminating against race, religion, or sexual preference. One day we’re gonna get there.”
That message of optimism is well summed up in the following lyrics:
“Soon, I will return to you
That day is close,
That day is soon.”