WATCH: The Red Clay Strays Perform Unreleased Heartbreak Ballad “Walking Away”

Good music is alive and well thanks to the Red Clay Strays.

The Red Clay Strays have been treating fans over the last month with some new music, and it’s a treat, indeed. Last year, the Mobile, Alabama-based group released their critically acclaimed sophomore record Made By These Moments. The 11-song project, produced by Dave Cobb, explores the complicated chaos of everyday life, including facing conflict, death, emotions, and chasing one’s aspirations.

Made By These Moments instantly captivated fans, and the way each song resonated with fans showed the power of music. Whether listeners were being saved with “Wanna Be Loved,” felt seen with “No One Else Like Me,” or were reminded by the band’s strong roots in faith that God loves them with “God Does,” there is a song for any and everyone on Made By These Moments.

The hot streak continues after Made By These Moments, with the band previewing what’s in store for the next chapter during recent live shows. Earlier this month, in Cleveland, Ohio, the Red Clay Strays debuted a brand new song titled “What Are You Going To Do Today.” Ironically, the crowd was in for more than one surprise that night as the band had to pause their show that same night to throw out a man for hitting a woman.

Never okay to hit a woman. Not the concert to be getting into a fight. But on the bright side, at least fans got to hear a gem of an unreleased song.

However, that is not the only new song that the Strays have previewed while on the road this summer. Ahead of sharing “What Are You Going To Do” with fans, at the end of July in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Mobile, Alabama-founded band played another brand spanking new song titled “Walking Away.” 

The show was coming to a close when frontman Brandon Coleman asked the crowd if they wanted to call it a night or keep the party going:

“Pretty much just having fun at this point, we’ve got two options. We can go ahead and wrap up the show, or we can practice a new one for you. So if y’all are ready to go, I know you’ve been here for a while. We can wrap it up.”

You can hear a roar of “No!” throughout the crowd. Brandon Coleman then gets his guitar in tune before the drummer, John Hall, counts them off.

“Okay. We are going to give this one a shot.” 

Once the band gets going, it makes me laugh that Coleman used the word “practice” ahead of performing the new one, because they sing like it’s been in their setlist for years.

“Walking Away” is a heartbreak ballad in which the narrator recounts the story of giving his whole heart to a woman. But despite giving her the world, his love for her was not enough, and she ends up “Walking Away.”

“Oh, how I try to make you complete
I keep on giving 
Just for you to pack your things and leave
Oh yes, I loved you
I swept you off your feet
But I couldn’t keep you
From walking out on me
Oh, love just keeps walking away…”

As Coleman delivers the lyrics, his soulful moans convey the longing this narrator feels to meet a woman who reciprocates his love. But no matter how much the narrator longs for this reality, his hopes come crashing down when the woman he loves leaves him feeling lonesome again.

The Red Clay Strays truly do not miss. “Walking Away” and “What Are You Going To Do” are a strong preview for what their next chapter of music looks like.

Come on with it.

The post WATCH: The Red Clay Strays Perform Unreleased Heartbreak Ballad “Walking Away” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.