Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real – Turn Off The News (And Build a Garden): A Gentle Anthem for a Noisy World
In an age when our screens hum louder than our hearts, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real offer a quiet rebellion. Their song “Turn Off The News (And Build a Garden)”, released in 2019 as the title track from the band’s fifth studio album, feels less like a protest and more like a hand laid softly on your shoulder. It’s a call to step back, breathe, and rediscover what truly matters—love, connection, and the simple act of living well.
Upon its release, the song quickly drew attention from both fans and critics, standing out on Americana and country charts for its warmth and wisdom. While it didn’t chase mainstream radio glory, it became one of Lukas Nelson’s most beloved songs—an anthem that resonated deeply with those weary of division and digital noise. Critics from Rolling Stone and NPR praised its sincerity, calling it “a song for these times” and comparing its tone to the easy grace of Nelson’s father, Willie Nelson, mixed with the soul of modern Americana.
Musically, “Turn Off The News (And Build a Garden)” shimmers with rootsy simplicity—a blend of gentle acoustic guitars, steady percussion, and harmonies that feel like sunlight breaking through morning clouds. The song invites listeners not to retreat from the world, but to reclaim it in the most human of ways: by planting, creating, and loving. “Maybe I’ll turn off the news and build a garden too,” Lukas sings with a quiet conviction that feels more healing than hopeful, as if he knows the world won’t change overnight—but we might, if we slow down long enough.
There’s a strong sense of heritage in the track, too. Lukas Nelson, son of Willie Nelson, carries that same mix of wisdom and ease, that rare gift of making a message feel timeless rather than trendy. Yet, this isn’t a song that leans on legacy—it stands firmly on its own spirit. Beneath its mellow groove lies a subtle defiance: an invitation to turn away from fear-driven headlines and toward something enduringly real.
For older listeners—those who remember a world before constant screens and endless noise—this song may strike a tender chord. It speaks to the longing for simplicity, for mornings in the garden and evenings spent talking face to face. And for younger ones, it’s a reminder that peace isn’t found in the scroll, but in the soil.
By the time the final chords fade, “Turn Off The News (And Build a Garden)” leaves you with a feeling of quiet hope. It doesn’t shout, doesn’t demand—it simply reminds us that there’s still beauty to be made, still seeds to be planted, still hearts that can heal when we step away from the noise.
In a world addicted to chaos, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real have given us a simple truth wrapped in melody: when you turn off the noise, you just might hear life growing again.
Oldies Songs