Phoebe Bridgers' Annual Holiday Single Comes With a Cause
Photo: Lera Pentelute
Phoebe Bridgers' annual holiday track, "7 O'Clock News / Silent Night," has finally arrived. For 2019, Bridgers enlisted several notable friends to put an even more poignant spin on Simon & Garfunkel's "Silent Night." Fiona Apple lends her legendary vocals to the song while long-time collaborator Matt Berninger of The National takes on a crucial newscaster role.
Bridgers and Apple may sound like graceful angels, but their ethereal beauty is contrasted by Berninger who goes on to deliver the same saddening news that is still the current American reality. He updates listeners on various modern horrors including the Sackler family's evasion of the law, daily police brutality, and even Louisiana’s anti-abortion law. The song steps out of its seasonal celebration and showcases a permanent reality.
It's a part of Berninger's 7-inches For Planned Parenthood project. Every dollar from this song's profit will be directly donated to Planned Parenthood in an effort to consciously help the group fight for the public's access to instrumental healthcare. Several of our favorite artists like CHVRCHES, Mitski, and St. Vincent have already contributed their support in the form of singles that will appear on the box set.
This past year was massive for Bridgers' who released an album with Conor Oberst under the moniker Better Oblivion Community Center. The duo later embarked on a tour, selling out shows across US and Europe. Still, she found time to continue her holiday tradition, this time with a major underlying societal cause. Bridgers wanted to share this important message with all of those who listen to "7 O'Clock News / Silent Night" this holiday season, sharing
"Happy Holidays to everyone whose family has been literally or figuratively torn apart by Donald Trump. And to my racist, xenophobic, misogynistic, hypocritical family members, fuck you. Thanks Fiona, Matt, Simon, and Garfunkel.“
Listen to "7 O'Clock News / Silent Night" below, and to purchase the full 7-inch for Planned Parenthood project click here.
