Vince Leigh’s Single Review: Ain’t Giving Up On You by Highway 95
By Vince Leigh (Ex drummer of Pseudo Echo, Tina Arena and John Farnham) of Australian Radio Promotion for Sheldon Ang Media
Highway 95 charges back onto the scene with Ain’t Giving Up On You, a track that reaffirms their place in the Australian country music world. Bob Derschow on guitar and Nicole Bylund on vocals—this duo isn’t here to play it safe. Their sound is straightforward but packs a punch, and Ain’t Giving Up On You is no exception. It’s a song that feels like a raw nerve exposed, all emotion and grit, a testament to their ability to fuse simplicity with depth.
The song starts with an acoustic guitar and a gentle drumbeat, setting a steady, comforting rhythm that draws you in. But it’s Nicole’s voice that captures you, brimming with an honest vulnerability and unyielding strength. She doesn’t just sing—she confesses, she pleads, and she fights. ‘They say run – Run from you / They don’t see – The things you do,’ she declares, and suddenly you’re in the thick of it, wrapped up in a love that’s complicated, messy, but worth every bit of heartache. Bob’s guitar is right there with her, accentuating each line, weaving a musical tapestry that holds the whole story together. There’s a dialogue happening between his strings and her voice, a conversation about pain and perseverance that’s almost tangible.
This isn’t a song built for the charts; it’s built for the soul, for those late nights when you’re grappling with choices and holding on to something that everyone else thinks you should let go of. Then there’s the chorus—‘Cause I ain’t givin up on you / La da da… I ain’t givin up on you.’ It’s haunting in its simplicity, a mantra of sorts, a declaration of steadfastness in the face of uncertainty. It’s a chorus that echoes in your head long after the song has ended, a reminder of the stubbornness that love sometimes requires. Highway 95 are storytellers, capturing the raw edges of life and love with an authenticity that’s hard to find. Ain’t Giving Up On You is a testament to that ethos, a song that’s less about polish and more about heart. It’s a slow build, each verse and chorus layering on more emotion, pulling you deeper into the story until you’re fully immersed. This track is a reminder that good country music doesn’t just tell you a story; it makes you feel like you’re living it.
