In his new country song "Hills of West Virginia," Brian Mullins nails the bittersweet feeling of coming home after a long time away. Mullins turns to his own life to write a song that sounds less like a stage and more like hour five of the drive back home on the same road he's known his whole life.
Mullins returned to his home state of West Virginia after spending three decades in Georgia, and he wrote the song after that. Only when he moved back for good three years ago did the full impact of the change hit home, even though he returned every year to keep the connection alive. As he drove around town, saw what had become of things, and realized they were no longer the same as before, it gave him a song about memories, a feeling that goes hand in hand with loss and the quiet acceptance that stems from it.
"Hills of West Virginia" hews closely to the sound of classic country music, a genre deeply rooted in storytelling and regional identity. It moves slowly so you can wallow in your feelings, rather than have them dismissed offhandedly. Mullins is not resentful of his hometown's frozenness, nor does he turn his back on it for what it has become. He also feels sorrow for what has been lost and gratitude for what remains, reflecting a broader cultural appreciation of memories and resilience in country music.
"Hills of West Virginia" is relatable because it's about something universal. This song will resonate with all who have returned to a place they once knew, with images of familiar roads, old trees, and quiet memories. It serves as a reminder that home is an accumulation of memories that still matter when things change, evoking a sense of longing and connection.
Find Brian Mullins on | Facebook | Instagram | X | Spotify |
0 Comments