Ottawa-born, Austin-based roots singer-songwriter Sarah Burton addresses the often-awkward question some women who have yet to tie the knot are often asked with the earnest, mesmerizing single “Worth Sticking Around For” off her forthcoming album Swoonville USA. It’s a track whose first half is great thanks to Burton’s lyrics describing the conundrum of not settling for second best but hoping her other half realizes just what they have in her. Meanwhile, the song’s second half is a delectable swampy roots-based instrumental romp that could go on and on.
“There comes a point in a woman’s life when family and strangers alike keep asking, ‘How come you’ve never been married?'” Burton says of the song’s inspiration, adding the inquiry about marital status “generally starts after 30” and may never stop. “There are a lot of reasons why a woman might not be married. Maybe she’s just independent and wants to keep her autonomy, maybe she doesn’t want to — or maybe nobody’s asked.”
Burton says dating after 30 often means “a lot of people are already on the second round,” namely having freshly signed divorce papers and are wary or hesitant “to sign another contract” and dive headlong into another marriage. “If you find yourself in this position, and you still want the ring and the white dress, you may have to ask yourself ‘is this worth sticking around for?'”
“Worth Sticking Around For,” written by Burton and produced and mixed by Jane Aurora, has all the trademarks of Americana greatness with a style that brings to mind Sheryl Crow, Margo Price and even Kathleen Edwards circa her Failer debut masterpiece. Not mincing words and accompanied by some exquisite work from Matt Kelly on guitar, keys and pedal steel, the song soars along effortlessly as Burton plainly states what she needs.
I’m getting tired
And I’m growing old
And my body’s got a mind of her own or so I’m told
Tired of being tough
When is enough enough
Well I’m just waiting on you to get your shit together my love
Oh baby just get it together
When the song comes to a close, the band jumps into a raucous jam that hints at a fadeout that never arrives – the faux ending results in a brilliant second half featuring Kelly, Burton, bassist Erik Nielsen and drummer/percussionist Leon Power finding one of the better grooves you’ll hear and riding it for all it’s worth. In short, it’s enough to make you swoon and, well, it’s worth sticking around for.
Burton, who was based in Toronto for roughly a decade, moved to Terlingua, Texas in 2016, and Austin, Texas in 2019. She has been a road warrior throughout her critically acclaimed career, performing around North America and averaging between 150 and 200 shows a year. She’s shared the stage with everyone from Jim Lauderdale and Susan Gibson to Big Sugar’s Gordie Johnson and roots legend Mary Gauthier. Burton has also played numerous festivals including Canadian Music Week, North By Northeast, MerleFest and Montana’s Red Ants Pants festival. Burton has five albums to her credit, including 2019’s Give Me What I Want and 2023’s 64 Magic Queens.
Now with the new single, Sarah Burton will have fans and newcomers flocking to her music. It’s worth sticking around for.
