Songwriter Reacts: Gregory Alan Isakov - She Always Takes It Black

What’s the next song of his I should check out?

Big Black Car, The Stable Song, Light Year, San Luis, That Moon Song, Words, Idaho... this man has so many masterpieces...

The fact that Gregory isn't more popular is baffling. He is amazing.

"You search the world for the milk of the pearl, but she always takes it black" : he is using coffee as a metaphor, he goes out of the way to find the milk of the pearl for her, but she just always takes it black(without the milk).. no matter how much effort you put into love, it's worthless if it's not reciprocated. But you can't change the way you feel.. so you still "love her till it all goes dark.. and you love her even after that..."

The singular line: “I’d never say I love you dear, just to hear you say it back.” Bro is on a whole floor above what he said. Basically he’s saying his love is unconditional and that’s beautiful. Absolutely beautiful, but I’m looking forward to the other lines.

dude is unreal..his stuff hits really hard in your soul..it's a shame most people don't know who he is

To me, the core of this song is such a beautiful understanding of Perception vs. Reality and boundaries. One's self may view life differently than another would, view someone differently than who they might be, or even themselves. This is a philosophy I think about all the time. Yet, it's rare for me to see this treated with kindness and respect. A phrase I say often to people when I'm meeting them for the first time or after a long while is, "I cannot wait to see the person you've become and who you will be." "You search the world for the milk of the pearl, she always takes it black, but you'll love her till it all goes dark, you'll love her even after that", gives space for honesty in understanding that not all truths are real. That doesn't mean you can't find the wonder and delight in trying. And within all that, why this drives home so hard is found in the previous verse. "Walking proud and lonesome now, oh I'm yearning for the pack, but I'd never say 'I love you, dear' just to hear you say it back." The purest form of love is to see that love, know that it's there, and allow it to be, without needing anything in return. Letting it be, knowing its existence is enough. Either that, or it's the 2am insomnia talking.

I believe Gregory is beyond artists years with his song writing...absolutely mindblowing...I pick up something new every single time I listen to his songs...

Somebody is actually reacting to the genius of GAI??? Wow, subscribed!

Gregory Alan Isakov is one beautiful singer, and literally one of the best poets in the world, you can just read his lyrics and feel them just as much

Isakov is, and has been for a over a decade, one of the best out there. And that voice! Another great vid Burt. Keep knocking them out of the park!

i just saw him live. crazy good concert. the lyrics, the band, the harmony. Amazing.

Gregory is just so damn good man. So so good.

“I don’t know what that means but it sounds profound” That’s me listening to every GAI song ❤

All of his music is gold!!

I've been listening to him for probably a decade now. He is one of my absolute favorites. My all time favorite of his is That Moon Song. Living Proof, The Stable Song, Light Year, This Empty Northern Hemisphere, and Berth are some of the absolute delights.

saw him several years ago in a barn in Woodstock NY front row with Steve and it was truly amazing.

Greg's fantastic My favorite artist in the last few years. Looking forward to his next album 🤞

I love your reaction to his lyrics. I first heard his song Second Chances and was blown away with his lyrics. "Me, I'm mumbling in kitchen for the sun to pay up. Lonely is a ring on a cold coffee cup. // I'm waiting in the wings for the trees to undress. Cupping my ear to hear the wind confess. I MEAN.... he weaves words and imagery together with the finest strings of thought. I can't even... have been a fan for a long time.

I find this song to be poetic, divine, and at its utmost, haunting. Something about it, just isn’t in anything else.