Kacey Musgraves has released a new music video for her latest single, “Cardinal,” paying tribute to her late friend and mentor, John Prine. The song, which is featured on Musgraves’ latest album Deeper Well, was written as a tribute to Prine after his passing in 2020.
The video, directed by Bree Marie Fish, features Musgraves walking through a serene forest as she sings the heartfelt lyrics of “Cardinal.” The visuals are simple yet powerful, with Musgraves surrounded by nature and the occasional appearance of a cardinal, a bird that holds special significance in the song.
In a statement, Musgraves shared her inspiration for the video, saying, “I wanted the video to feel like a walk through the woods with a friend. The cardinal has always been a symbol of hope and love for me, and I wanted to incorporate that into the video as a nod to John and his spirit.”
“Cardinal” was written by Musgraves, along with Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk, and was originally released as a bonus track on the Japanese edition of Deeper Well. The song is a beautiful tribute to Prine, with lyrics like “You’re a cardinal in the snow / You’re a star in the night / You’re a fire when it’s cold / You’re a beacon in the sky.”
Prine and Musgraves had a close relationship, with Prine serving as a mentor to the rising country star. Musgraves often cited Prine as one of her biggest influences and even performed a duet with him on his final album, The Tree of Forgiveness.
The release of the “Cardinal” video comes just a few weeks after Musgraves paid tribute to Prine during her performance at the 2021 Grammy Awards. She performed a stunning rendition of his song “I Remember Everything,” which won two awards that night.
Musgraves’ Deeper Well album has received critical acclaim since its release in 2020, with “Cardinal” being one of the standout tracks. The album explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery, and the addition of “Cardinal” adds a touching tribute to a beloved friend and mentor.
Watch the heartfelt video for “Cardinal” now and be sure to check out Deeper Well for more of Musgraves’ beautiful and introspective music.
