CMT Blog: Archive

I have been playing "Always Have My Love" by WPA (Works Progress Administration) on repeat pretty much every day since I got their self-titled debut album. I first heard the song at the Americana Music Conference last month, and I was immediately hooked by the twin-fiddle intro. I didn't catch all of the lyrics that night, but now I realize that the song is about forgiving someone's infidelity, which is kind of a heavy topic for such a bright melody.

Although the band is new, you may recognize a few members. Glen Phillips wrote the song and sings lead. He was formerly the frontman of Toad the Wet Sprocket. Sean Watkins, of Nickel Creek, wrote a few of the tracks, too. His sister, Sara Watkins, is on here, too, as well as fellow fiddler Luke Bulla. Two members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame lend their support (drummer Pete Thomas of Elvis Costello & the Attractions and keyboardist Benmont Tench of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers), joined by steel guitarist extraordinaire Greg Leisz and bass guitarist Davey Faragher (of Cracker). The band (in various forms) is currently on tour and, since the music is so hard to categorize, beyond the gauzy "Americana" tag, the show covers a lot of musical territory.

All of the musicians have roots in L.A. club, Largo, which probably explains the sunny vibe, even when the lyrics aren't so happy. If you dig "Always Have My Love," check out "End This Now" (also written and sung by Phillips) and "Not Sure" (written by Sean Watkins and sung by Luke Bulla - a crushing breakup song). And if you listen on headphones, you're more likely to catch all the cool instrumentation.