“‘First of Many’ is a song of hope and a reminder that no matter where you find yourself,
it’s never too late to start over.” – Seth Costner
Renew (verb) – to begin again. That mantra is presently embracing Seth Costner. Last month, the singer/songwriter and long-time touring musician for Chris Young released “First of Many” – his first solo song in a decade. The emotional and uplifting single was written with fellow CY bandmate Steven Seils who is on his own self-renewing journey with sobriety. Two paths connected by the desire to hit the restart button and begin again.
“He [Seils] had quit drinking for a month, and I said, ‘Man, I hope it’s the first of many,’” explained Costner in an interview with The Country Note’s Michelle Osterhoudt. “That line just stuck. Later that night, I went to my bunk and wrote most of the song. When I played it for him the next day, he cried. That’s when I knew it was something special. It’s not just about addiction. It’s about anything we’re trying to overcome. We all have struggles, and I wanted this song to speak to finding hope in dark places.”
The song’s lyrics conjure the image of having an intense conversation with oneself – reflecting on how addiction, in this case drinking, really affects one’s day-to-day, and that sense of hope that’s on the horizon:
It was always the first of many
When I’d drink one down
But that drum beat in my head in the mornin’
Was an awfully lonely sound
Made some bad decisions
Had a few near misses
It’s a wonder I’m still around
But it’s been one week now
Since I had any
And I hope it’s the first of many
Accompanying the song is an equally emotional video, showing Costner at a bar with a single drink sitting there, as if toying with his will-power. But he looks down on a napkin that has hash marks showing how many days have passed since he had his last drink – seven. One week. Next, he takes out a photo of a young girl; a special someone who left and not coming back thanks to those drinks. Then the napkin – 31 hash marks. One month. The video ends with him pushing that drink far away and leaving. A victorious day, but for those familiar with addiction, a battle in a constant war.
“The music video for ‘First of Many’ was shot and edited by Zach Swon of The Swon Brothers,” says Costner. “We wanted to capture the song’s message in a simple yet powerful way, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it!”
Watch the exclusive video premiere of “First of Many” below:
May this be the First of Many songs yet to come from Costner’s solo return.
“First of Many” is available to stream on Apple Music and Spotify.
For more information on Seth Costner, follow him on Facebook and Instagram.
Be sure to check out our interview with Seth here.