Name: Heaven Help The Child
Brand: Mickey Newbury, Bill Callahan

Tax rate EU

Default:19

Supplier EU

375 Media

Total Cap

9999

Format detail

Colour details

Discogs ID

Limited edition

Colour

Black

Format Music EU

Extended format

Extended format: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Download code

Download code: No

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Release date

2025-01-10

Format multiplier

Catalogue number

DC476X

UPC / Barcode

0781484047650

Black 7"

Artist

Mickey Newbury

Bill Callahan

Label EU

Drag City

Genre EU

Singer Songwriter

Mickey Newbury was an American songwriter for Acuff-Rose Music, a critically acclaimed recording artist, and a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Born on May 19, 1940 in Houston, Texas, he left behind a lasting legacy in the music industry before his passing on September 29, 2002 in Vida, Oregon.

Newbury's unique songwriting style and emotive vocals set him apart from his contemporaries. His ability to blend elements of country, folk, and rock created a sound that resonated with audiences across genres. He penned numerous hits for other artists during his time at Acuff-Rose Music.

With an impressive discography spanning over four decades, *Mickey Newbury* released several critically acclaimed albums that showcased his talent as both a songwriter and performer. His introspective lyrics and soulful delivery captivated listeners and solidified his place as one of the greats in American music history.

Bill Callahan, born on June 3, 1966 in Silver Spring, Maryland, is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is widely known for his work under the name Smog. With a career spanning several decades, Callahan has established himself as a respected figure in the music industry. His unique blend of folk and indie rock has garnered him a dedicated fan base and critical acclaim. Known for his introspective lyrics and distinctive baritone voice, Callahan's music resonates with listeners on a deep emotional level.
Throughout his career, Bill Callahan has released numerous albums that showcase his songwriting prowess and musical versatility. From intimate acoustic ballads to more experimental soundscapes, each album offers a glimpse into Callahan's creative mind. His ability to craft poignant narratives and explore complex themes sets him apart from other artists in the genre.
With his rich discography and captivating live performances, Bill Callahan continues to inspire both aspiring musicians and devoted fans alike. Whether you're new to his music or have been following his career since the beginning, experiencing the artistry of Bill Callahan is an unforgettable journey through the depths of human emotion.

Newest Listed Items

Drag City is a renowned music label that was founded by Dan Koretzky and Dan Osborn. With an impressive roster of artists, Drag City has established itself as a leading force in the music industry. Known for their diverse range of genres, the label has consistently released groundbreaking and influential albums. From indie rock to experimental folk, Drag City continues to push boundaries and nurture innovative talent.

Since its inception, Drag City has been dedicated to supporting artists who defy conventions and create unique sounds. The label's commitment to artistic freedom has allowed musicians to explore their creativity without limitations. This approach has resulted in a catalog of critically acclaimed albums that have resonated with audiences worldwide.

With an unwavering focus on quality over quantity, Drag City carefully curates its releases, ensuring each album receives the attention it deserves. Their meticulous attention to detail extends beyond the music itself, with beautifully designed album artwork and packaging that enhance the overall listening experience.

Discover Rough Trade's curated selection of 7" and 12" vinyl singles. From rare gems to the latest releases, find the perfect addition to your collection.

Vinyl Singles

Mickey Newbury’s An American Trilogy was one of the most talked-about and lauded reissues of 2011 - a long-overdue affirmation for a songwriter and performer who has for years enjoyed cult acclaim but belongs in the ranks of the American greats.

Keeping the love alive, Drag City present a split single that pairs Mickey Newbury’s recording of ‘Heaven Help the Child’ - the title track of the most refined and under-appreciated album in Newbury’s trilogy - with a new version of the song by Bill Callahan that invokes the stately, elegiac spirit of the original while reworking its intricacies for his own unique voice and style. 

Callahan has made no secret of his admiration for Mickey Newbury, even name-checking him (alongside George Jones, Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash, as part of a roll call of the most American of contemporary songwriter performers) in the song ‘America’, off his acclaimed 2011 album, Apocalypse.

&nbsp;“There’s something psychedelic and transcendent about Mickey’s best work,” says Callahan, “and when he gets into the realms of songs like ‘Heaven Help The Child’, where he spans generations and flies over time while still maintaining a singular mind, he’s imparting a truly epic knowledge and vision. The song always reminded me of the movie ‘Once Upon a Time in America’.” 

A wildly ambitious, cross-generational odyssey, written in 1971 against the backdrop of the waning days of the Vietnam War, ‘Heaven Help The Child’ is the closest Newbury ever came to writing a pure protest song - albeit one that, in true Newbury style, breaks the mould and emotes heartfelt paeans, seeking solutions rather than mere dissent. 

Allusive, elusive and emotionally direct, the song conflates myth and memoir until the two are inseparable and interchangeable. A reference in the lyrics to Fitzgerald and Hemingway draws on the idea that, for Newbury and his peers, Nashville of the 1970s was like Paris in the 1920s, a meeting place for writers in exile; outsiders working within the mainstream of culture, whose artistic concerns were too epic and personal to be constrained by it. 

“The point I was trying to make in that song,” said Newbury, “is that every generation thinks that its problems are unique where its problems really are as old as man. There are no new problems; there are only new faces having them.” 

Mickey Newbury often referred to ‘Heaven Help The Child’ as his ‘second Trilogy’, the first being An American Trilogy, the song with which he is most closely associated yet, paradoxically, did not write. But ‘Heaven Help The Child’ is Newbury through and through: the work of a master songwriter at the height of his powers.

Heaven Help The Child

Music EU

Discover Heaven Help The Child by Mickey Newbury on Drag City. A timeless protest song reimagined by Bill Callahan. Vinyl records available.