Music Friday: Gregory Alan Isakov 'Turns These Diamonds Straight Back Into Coal'

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you great songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. In his signature “Stable Song,” singer-songwriter Gregory Alan Isakov uses gemstone and precious-metal metaphors to describe an artist who struggles to find his muse and ultimately returns to his roots.

He sings, “Ring like crazy, ring like hell / Turn me back into that wild haired gale / Ring like silver, ring like gold / Turn these diamonds straight back into coal / Turn these diamonds straight back into coal.”

Isakov has told live audiences that “The Stable Song” is a poem “about everything.”

But, in our interpretation, the artist seems overwhelmed by the stress that comes with success. He’s under tremendous pressure to compose something perfect (diamond) and, instead, decides to return home where he can get back to basics (coal) and recapture the energy of his youth.

Written by Isakov, “The Stable Song” was the second track of his 2007 debut album, That Sea, The Gambler. The song also returned as the fourth track of the artist’s 2016 collaboration with the Colorado Symphony.

Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, raised in Philadelphia and now calling Boulder, CO, his home, the 44-year-old Isakov has been traveling most of his life. His songs tell the story of his time on the road and his constant yearning for a sense of place. Music critics have described him as “strong, subtle, a lyrical genius.”

Isakov is currently wrapping up a series of shows in Australia before coming back to the US with stops scheduled in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, California, New Mexico, Tennessee, Massachusetts, and Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Please check out the video of Isakov's live performance at the Forum in Melbourne, Australia, on January 28 of this year. The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…

“The Stable Song”
Written and performed by Gregory Alan Isakov.

Remember when our songs were just like prayer
Like gospel hymns that you called in the air
Come down, come down sweet reverence
Unto my simple house and ring… and ring

Ring like silver, ring like gold
Ring out those ghosts on the Ohio
Ring like clear day wedding bells
Were we the belly of the beast, or the sword that fell?
We’ll never tell

Come to me, clear and cold
On some sea
Watch the world spinning waves
Like that machine

Now I’ve been crazy, couldn’t you tell?
I threw stones at the stars, but the whole sky fell
Now I’m covered up in straw, belly up on the table
Well I drank and sang, and I passed in the stable

That tall grass grows high and brown
Well I dragged you straight in the muddy ground
And you sent me back to where I roam
Well I cursed and I cried, but now I know
Now I know

And I ran back to that hollow again
The moon was just a sliver back then
And I ached for my heart like some tin man
When it came, oh it beat and it boiled and it rang
Oh, it’s ringing

Ring like crazy, ring like hell
Turn me back into that wild haired gale
Ring like silver, ring like gold
Turn these diamonds straight back into coal
Turn these diamonds straight back into coal

Credit: Screen capture via Youtube.com / Aiden Giddings.

Americans to Spend a Record $6.4B on Jewelry Gifts for Valentine’s Day

US consumers are projected to spend a record $6.4 billion on jewelry gifts for Valentine’s Day 2024, outpacing last year's total by 16.3%, and up an amazing 64.1% compared to 2019, according to a survey just released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics. Jewelry topped all other categories for the 8th year in a row and is expected to account for 25 cents of every dollar spent on gifts for the holiday.

The jewelry category's gains come at the same time when overall Valentine gift sales are expected to be flat. Total spending for Cupid's Day, according the the NRF, is projected to tick down in 2024 from $25.9 billion to $25.8 billion.

The NRF also predicted new spending records for three other categories: "evening out" ($4.9 billion), "clothing" ($3 billion) and flowers ($2.6 billion) categories.

Another important finding is that spending dollars seem to be shifting towards "significant others" and away from "other family members," "friends," "children's classmates/teachers" and "co-workers."

The value of Valentine's Day gifts intended for significant others/spouses will see an increase of 5.2% in 2024 ($14.2 billion vs. $13.5 billion). Gift budgets allocated to significant others/spouses is expected to reach an all-time high of $101.84, while overall household spending for Valentine's Day is expected to be $185.81, down from $192.80 in 2023 and off the $196.31 peak set in 2020.

Exactly 57% of survey respondents intended to give candy in 2024, followed by greeting cards (40%), flowers (39%), an evening out (32%), jewelry (22%), clothing (21%) and gift cards (19%).

More than half of consumers (53%) plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, which is on par with the 52% tallied last year. Sixty-two percent of consumers ages 25-34 plan to celebrate this year, a higher proportion than any other age group.

According to the NRF, among those not celebrating Valentine’s Day, 29% still plan to mark the occasion in some way. Many will treat themselves to something special, while others will plan a get-together or evening out with their single friends or family members.

As the leading authority and voice for the retail industry, NRF provides data on consumer behavior and spending for key periods such as holidays throughout the year. The survey of 8,329 US adult consumers was conducted January 2-8 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.1 percentage points.

Credit: Image by BigStockPhoto.com.

Chewy Offers $1,000 to Couples Who Include Pets in Their Proposal Photos

Chewy, the online purveyor of pet supplies, is offering $1,000 eGift cards to 10 lucky couples who include their pets in their marriage proposal photos or videos.

At its official website, the company explains that pets are fur-children, first loves and sometimes "the favorite cuddle," but when its time to take the next steps in a romantic relationship, pets should be right there to share in the excitement.

The rules for the contest are simple. Couples planning to get married during 2024 or 2025 must tag their "pet-posal" photos or videos with @Chewy and use the hashtag #ChewyPetposals. The 10 best entries posted between January 10, 2024, and March 31, 2024, will win a $1,000 eGift card, and 100 couples will get a "special surprise gift."

Chewy explained that it really doesn't matter how the pet is framed in the photo.

"Whether it’s getting your pet’s permission, having them deliver the ring or even a photobomb happy accident, we’re here for it all," the Chewy website noted.

After popping the question, all attention shifts to the impending wedding, and according to a Chewy survey, 21% of married couples have included pets in their weddings.

Respondents said that their beloved pets were incorporated into the festivities in many ways, such as ring bearers (50%), flower girls (17%), page boys (13%). Pets were also included on wedding invitations and save-the-date cards, "first look" photos and cake toppers. Some couples even named a signature drink after their four-legged friends.

Notes Chewy on its website that it's no surprise that many couples want their pets to be a part of this major relationship milestone, especially when you consider these other survey stats...

95% believe their pet loves them unconditionally
93% are happier because of their pet
70% say they are obsessed with their pets

Credit: Photo by Katie Wallace on Unsplash