Hear Norah Jones’ Smoky Cautionary Tale ‘Tragedy’

Norah Jones sweetly croons a depressing cautionary tale on her new song “Tragedy.” The track chronicles a 25-year-old man’s descent from idyllic family life into alcoholism: “Babies and a patient wife/ They just weren’t enough to keep him high,” Jones sings over smoky piano and Hammond organ. “So he gave them up just to fill his cup/ Every sip would make him feel alive/ No bones in his body were dry.”

“Tragedy” previews the singer-songwriter’s upcoming sixth LP, Day Breaks, out Friday, October 7th. Jones previously released the tender “Carry On” and politically pointed “Flipside,”the latter inspired by the “volatile and crazy” news happening “in the world and in this country over the last couple years.”

The 12-track Day Breaks also includes covers of tracks by Neil Young (“Don’t Be Denied”), Horace Silver and Duke Ellington. Saxophone icon Wayne Shorter, organist Lonnie Smith and drummer Brian Blade make guest appearances on the LP.

“This new album feels full circle because I’m going back to my early influences,” Jones said in a statement. “After the first record, I drifted away from the piano a little bit. I still played it, but was more inspired to write on guitar. I really loved playing piano on this record.”

Jones will perform “Flipside” Wednesday, October 5th on The Tonight Show, followed by “Carry On” and “Tragedy” performances on the Today Show Monday, October 10th.”

The singer will resume a North American tour October 18th in Vancouver.