“Couldn’t let 2020 end without putting something out for y’all,” Trevor Jackson writes on Instagram as he releases his new cover and video “River.” The original is a song by Canadian singer songwriter Joni Mitchell, from her 1971 album Blue. It has since become a standard for artists in many music styles, and has become popular as Christmas music. On the track, Trevor sings the classic lyrics:
It’s coming on Christmas. They’re cutting down trees. They’re putting up reindeer, and singing songs of joy and peace. Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on. But it don’t snow here. It stays pretty green. I’m going to make a lot of money. Then I’m going to quit this crazy scene. Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on. Oh, I wish I had a river so long. I would teach my feet to fly.
Prior to “River,” Trevor Jackson released his single “Just Friends” bac in November. The track was produced by The Aristocrats and samples the timeless R&B classic “Lovers and Friends” by Usher, Lil Jon and Ludacris. Just last year, Trevor won the 2019 Soul Train Certified Award beating out such names as Ciara, Kelly Rowland and Daniel Caesar for his critically-acclaimed project, Rough Drafts Pt. 2. Including the fan favorites “Puddles” and “Tell You The Truth,” Rough Drafts Pt. 2 has received over 20 million streams across all streaming platforms since it’s release.
As an individual who’s skilled in both the music and acting world, it’s no surprise Trevor has a heavy hand where the two intersect: music videos. In a previous interview, he details his involvement in the process about how he simultaneously thinks about both. “I typically come up with the videos while I’m making the song,” he says. “If I can’t see myself in the video then the song doesn’t really work so I kind of do in the same time.”
Press play on Trevor Jackson’s new “River” video down below.