Diamond Ring

by Hallie Spoor

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Each verse of "Diamond Ring" is a different love story in my life with the central question of why I was not “the one”. Why was I not good enough to wear your mama’s "Diamond Ring"? In verse one, I am lying on the couch, listening to Neil Young’s "Heart Of Gold" on vinyl while the rain is pouring down with my partner. Next, we’re having a screaming match in the West Village. And by the last verse I am back with my first love, stargazing in an abandoned horse racing track in Nashville, TN. Lyrically, the story takes us to the acceptance and peace of knowing none of these were meant to be, but that in another life we could be friends. I aspire to have that level of acceptance in my songs because it’s so hard to do this in real life with all the baggage and pain I carry with me. Like the ending of “Annie Hall” when Alvy runs into Annie and they have lunch in a sunny diner. He parts ways with his former love remembering how great she is, and how happy he is to have known her. He says, “You know, we’re always trying to get things to come out perfect in art because it's so difficult in life.”

Sonically, there are a lot of special jewels in "Diamond Ring." First, the drums by JT Bates. We actually had to re-record the drums for most of the album because the tempos evolved so much from when I first recorded, but we could not let go of the gorgeous drums that JT did on "Diamond Ring '' and "Shenandoah". The drums have this train-chugging shuffle that is haunting and rich, they feel so natural and live to me.

The second thing that is notable about this song’s arrangement is the beautiful bridge that producers Stephen Chen and Ted Young helped me bring to life. The song takes on this slow, longing build with the strings rising and rising, and vocals creating the swirling "Oh's" echo effect. This section moves the story into a new world, and I just love it.

lyrics

Records and the rain, Heart of Gold Playing on repeat
Dancing in the bars, ending up fighting on the street
Does she make you laugh? Do you miss the way I sing?
Am I washed away by the next best thing?
A better fit for your mama's diamond ring

Lying in the grass, counting constellations in the stars
Smoking cigarettes, made us feel older than we are
Does she take her glass whisky neat?
Am I more than that, did I make you weak?
A better fit for your mama's

Maybe when we're older we'll look back and laugh at who we were
All of our mistakes, forgotten with a pain that doesn't hurt
You will take my hand on a sunny street
I'll understand why we'd never be
A better fit for your mama's diamond ring

credits

released July 18, 2023
Vocals & Acoustic Guitar by yours truly
Drums by JT Bates
Electric Guitar by Jacob Matheus
Bass by Noah Evan Wilson
Cello by Elisa Winter
Violin by Lily Desmond
Produced by Stephen Chen
Mixed by Ted Young
Mastered by Jessica Thompson
Album Photography by Sierra Voss

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Hallie Spoor Brooklyn, New York

"If you’re a fan of confessional lyrics and a strong, powerful voice,” writes 303 Magazine, “then Spoor is your girl." Based in Brooklyn, indie-folk singer-songwriter Hallie Spoor has often been described as an old soul. Her compelling vocals and emotional storytelling has led to her nickname, “The Adele of Americana". ... more

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