Soul Food
Alex Wilson
Description
A gritty, mid-tempo "Mountain Soul" ballad steeped in Kentucky tradition. Alex Wilson's upfront, gravelly vocals—raw, close-mic’d, and testifying—tell a story of family, hard work, and the simple sustenance of home-cooked meals. Percussive strums on an old Martin dreadnought drive the groove, punctuated by expressive slide guitar licks that cry out with emotion. Physical, boot-stomped 2s and 4s provide a primal kick/snare feel, grounding the song in its Appalachian roots. The B3 organ adds a warm, gospel-tinged undercurrent, while the mix remains organic and dark—capturing the intimate atmosphere of a live performance in a wood-walled room. It's a testament to the enduring power of love and connection, found in the most humble of dishes.
Lyrics
[Intro] Mmm-hmm… Yeah… Pull up a chair, baby. [Verse 1] The sun comes peeking o'er the Smoky ridge Frost is biting on the old wooden bridge But inside the house, the air is thick and sweet With the rhythm of the stove and the tapping of her feet She’s got flour on her apron, silver in her hair And a worry-lifting spirit floating on the air Don’t matter where you’ve been, or how far you roamed When you cross that threshold, baby, you are home [Chorus] Yeah, we call it Soul Food But it ain’t just what you eat It’s the prayer in the gravy And the grace in every seat It’s a cast iron cure for a heavy, heavy heart Where the family gathers and the healing starts It’s the gospel truth, serve it hot and good Yeah, that’s Mawmaw’s kitchen… that’s Soul Food [Verse 2] Now that black iron skillet is seasoned by the years It’s fried a million chickens, and dried a thousand tears Cathead biscuits rising in the heat And those fried apples sticky, golden and sweet She don’t need a recipe, she don’t need a book She’s got the hands of a healer and the eyes of a cook She says, "Hush your mouth and eat, child, you’re looking thin" Then she pours a little love, and the magic begins [Chorus] Yeah, we call it Soul Food But it ain’t just what you eat It’s the prayer in the gravy And the grace in every seat It’s a cast iron cure for a heavy, heavy heart Where the family gathers and the healing starts It’s the gospel truth, serve it hot and good Yeah, that’s Mawmaw’s kitchen… that’s Soul Food [Bridge: Tempo slows down, music drops to just bass and drums—deep pocket groove] Now the world outside can be cold and cruel Make you feel like a beggar, make you feel like a fool But at this scratched-up table, you’re rich as a king And the teakettle whistles just to hear her sing [Vocal build up] Yeah, she’s singing about the Rock of Ages… She’s turning over pages… Pouring out the wine… Everything is gonna be just fine! [Guitar Solo: Bluesy, soulful slide guitar solo that mimics a vocal melody] [Chorus: Full band kicks back in, maximum volume, choir backing vocals] Yeah, we call it Soul Food But it ain’t just what you eat It’s the prayer in the gravy And the grace in every seat! It’s a cast iron cure for a heavy, heavy heart Where the family gathers and the healing starts It’s the gospel truth, serve it hot and good Yeah, that’s Mawmaw’s kitchen… that’s Soul Food [Outro] Love in a skillet (Soul Food) Heart in the hearth (Soul Food) Don’t you leave hungry now (Soul Food) Wipe your plate clean, baby (Soul Food) Mmm-hmm Pass the cornbread [Fade out on laughter and clinking forks]