Lukas Nelson has long impressed fans with his ability to transform other artists’ songs through his unique covers. However, his most recent performance showcases his talent in a different light—reviving one of his own tracks with a fresh, emotional take. Last week, Nelson shared a stripped-down solo piano rendition of “Set Me Down on a Cloud” during a livestream for his followers.
On Friday, January 10, Nelson posted a video of the performance on social media. Originally recorded twice with his band, Promise of the Real—first on their 2016 album Something Real and again in 2017 with Lucius for their self-titled album—both full-band versions are remarkable. However, the solo piano arrangement reveals the raw emotion at the heart of the song. In the video, “Set Me Down on a Cloud” is not only hauntingly beautiful but also deeply moving.
The song tells the story of a devastating loss and the profound sadness that follows. The inspiration behind it is heart-wrenching.
Nelson shared the painful backstory: “This lady and her husband had accidentally run over and killed their four-year-old daughter. They came to one of my shows, and they said it was the first time they’d felt happiness since that incident. They asked me to write a song about it.”
He continued, “I was deeply honored to write about such a tragic event and try to capture that grief in my music. It felt like a spirit was guiding me.”
Written from the perspective of the parents waiting in the hospital to learn if their child would survive, the song’s lyrics carry a weight that’s even more poignant once the true story behind it is known. Lines like And there’s only one thing in this / World to let me heal / Baby open up your eyes and / Tell me you’re not leavin’ become gut-wrenching when understood in context.
Through this solo performance, Nelson not only demonstrates his skills as a singer and songwriter but also brings the emotional depth of the lyrics to the forefront, making this rendition one of his most powerful yet.
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