You Save Me’ – Jessica Lynn’s New Single with Liam Wakefield Reminds Us All of Just How Powerful Music Can Be as a Lifeline and Tool for Healing

11th November 2022 0 By John Deaux

New York-based country crossover sensation Jessica Lynn could not be prouder of her latest project: partnering with British Army veteran, musician, writer and psychotherapist Liam Wakefield from Sussex, England on their new single ‘You Save Me’. It’s a moving song that describes the tremendous power that music and the arts can have on mental health. Each and both of the duo believe strongly in this and hope to raise awareness, and to muster support for a charity involved in important mental health work.

Liam was retired from the military on medical grounds, after being diagnosed with an incurable and rare genetic condition. His mental health was rapidly declining. In an alcohol-fuelled suicide attempt, Liam tried to ring down the curtain on what appeared to be an inescapable depression. This unsuccessful attempt, however, proved a catalyst for change. Find support rallying from so many, Liam was thankfully able to find a way back from the consuming darkness.

During his recovery, Liam reconnected with music –– a lifelong passion that he had neglected while serving in the army–– and he decided to channel the raw emotion and passion from the daily pain, thus finding a new purpose in life. Music and the love of writing that gave him a sense of self-belief and he has since devoted his life to suicide prevention and mental health care — particularly within the military community, where so many harbour deep pain from daily battles with mental health.

After meeting Liam and hearing his remarkable, moving story, Jessica was inspired to write this song, ‘You Save Me’, and has set out to use it to make a difference.

“Liam greatly inspires me not only musically, but as a human being,” Jessica explains, “His strength, resilience, talent, and disposition for wanting to make a positive impact on the world is something truly special. We met online when I was putting together my most recent UK tour and after getting to know him, I couldn’t help but be moved by his story. We discussed doing a song together to raise awareness for mental health and its importance for veterans and the next day, ‘You Save Me’ poured out of me.

“Although Liam and I come from very different backgrounds and experiences,” she continues, “music has connected us and saved us in the same way. It is a universal beacon of light. Like Liam, I too have had significant battles with anxiety and depression throughout my life, and music has always been the shoulder to lean on: my most trusted friend and confidante. We hope many people find comfort within this song and realize they are not alone.”

Liam agrees. “This song, and the meaning behind it, is the quintessential beauty needed to help show the world that those silently struggling do have a voice and are understood. So many of us (especially those in the military communities) harbour a deep pain from the daily battle with our mental health. This song highlights the truth that in that darkness, there is an incandescent beauty: a saving quality found in the passion and purpose of music that can bring people together, connecting us to others and back to ourselves.

“Being invited to be a part of this song is more than just being able to share my voice with a songwriter whom I deeply admire (Jessica); it’s a chance to show the world that, as a disabled combat veteran who has struggled greatly with mental health, that music does have a power beyond anything else, to save.

This song’s beauty comes not just from its inspirational message, but also the way it was produced, using reverb impulses recorded in the Emanuel Vigeland Mausoleum in Oslo, Norway giving the impression that Jessica and Liam were actually singing inside the structure.

The single is now available on all digital platforms. ALL proceeds from the ‘You Save Me’ single and the new ‘Music Saves’ merchandise line go to a charity that Liam feels strongly about: Forging Forward — a non-profit organization focused on healing visible and invisible wounds of veterans, first responders and their families.

Download or stream here https://snd.click/yousaveme