More often than not, you encounter a piece of art that lives in your heart rent-free. I felt a similar emotion when I first listened to Rory’s Black Hearse. It is a song by Roxanne Emery, also known as Rory, released in 2023. It is a hauntingly beautiful song about love, pain, and loss. It’s a song that would not only soar but twinge your heart in pain. Yet, it’s a discomfort you’ll be grateful for.

You won’t be called a lover, if you escape the pain. While our hearts long for love, who equipped us to handle the lingering pain that often accompanies it? You stand on the precipice of love, ready to dive in, yet the fear of being wounded holds you back. In a paradoxical twist, what if you find solace in embracing the pain itself? Almost as a shield against the vulnerability of love. These are some thoughts that Rory’s latest song brew in my mind. It’s a complex dance, a paradox of the heart, where you willingly invite pain in, believing that by accepting it, you gain a form of control, an immunity to deeper hurt. In doing so, you navigate the delicate balance between experiencing the depths of love and protecting your heart from its potentially shattering aftermath. It’s a testament to the intricate nature of human emotions, where the very thing that might wound you becomes, in a way, your armour against further injury.

The lyrics, “I’m only getting married if I’m living in a black hearse,” encapsulate a poignant sentiment about love and the inevitable pain intertwined with it. In these words, there’s a striking juxtaposition of love’s joyous commitment, symbolized by marriage, and the sombre imagery of a black hearse, traditionally associated with death and sorrow. It conveys the notion that, for some, the idea of fully embracing love is inseparable from the understanding that pain and heartache may come with it. It’s a reflection of the vulnerability that accompanies love, where the fear of emotional wounds can be so profound that it colours one’s perspective on commitment.

The lyrics suggest a readiness to face the potential hardships of love, as symbolized by the hearse, almost as a prerequisite for entering into a lifelong partnership. It’s a poignant commentary on the complex and often bittersweet nature of romantic relationships, where the anticipation of love is entwined with the acknowledgment of the pain that may be part and parcel of the journey. The song ends with a slow fade-out, leaving the listener with a sense of both sadness and hope.

What makes Rory’s Black Hearse such a special song is its raw and honest portrayal of the feelings a lover is trapped in. Rory does not shy away from the pain and anguish that comes with losing a loved one. She also sings about the hope that comes from knowing that we will see them again someday. Rory’s Black Hearse is a song that will stay with you long after you take your earphones off. Sometimes, isn’t it beautiful to simply dwell in the concoction of emotions? You’ve got your midnight jam!