ERNEST, Slow Dancing in a Burning Room | COVERS

In the 18^th edition of COVERS (2024), ERNEST delivers a compelling rendition of “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” written/originally recorded by John Mayer.

Ah, it’s time to get cozy and totally cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers, as opposed to the original/most famous performer.  It is open to both established musicians and musicians who may not be as well-known. In the 18^th edition of COVERS (2024), ERNEST delivers a compelling rendition of “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” written/originally recorded by John Mayer.

“We’re going down, and you can see it too / Yeah, we’re going down and you know that we’re doomed / my dear, we’re slow dancin’ in a burnin’ room.” Country singer/songwriter ERNEST (Ernest Keith Smith) dropped a gargantuan, near-90-minute album in 2024: NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.  Comprised of 26 songs, Smith had a lot to say, rather, a lot to sing! In the 19^th track from his hometown-named LP, he opts to cover John Mayer. He takes it back to 2006 when Mayer released one of the best albums, Continuum.  Among the sensational songs from the LP are “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room”, which ERNEST superbly countrifies on NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

The signature ‘pedal steel’ sounds even brighter on the ERNEST rendition, embracing a Nashville vibe to the core. The bluesy vibes of the original are retained – alive and well! ERNEST sings beautifully, capturing the honest, poetic, and thoughtful songwriting of the original. “I’ll make the most of all the sadness / You’ll be a bitch because you can,” he sings in the colorful second verse, “You try to hit me just to hurt me / So you leave me feelin’ dirty / ‘Cause you can’t understand.” Ooh-wee John – I mean, ERNEST! You buy what he is authentically and expressively selling. Furthermore, he doesn’t overdo or try too hard. This feels like a natural rendition simply tailored more to his preferred musical style.  Besides strong lead vocals, the vocal harmonies shine during the chorus, the centerpiece.  A sweet guitar solo adds to the goodness of this country cover that has the potential for wide-reaching appeal. Ultimately, when it comes to his cover of “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room”, ERNEST DID THAT 👏 😮‍💨!

ERNEST // NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE // Big Loud // 2024

ERNEST, Slow Dancing in a Burning Room: Covers No. 18 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner /The Musical Hype; Big Loud; Andrea Piacquadio, cottonbro studio, MART PRODUCTION, Matteo Milan from Pexels; MR1313, OpenClipart-Vectors, Vicki Hamilton from Pixabay]