Cory M. Coons – “The Morning Drive”
An intimate, rootsy ballad that brims with nostalgia and quiet beauty.
Cory M. Coons’ “The Morning Drive” isn’t just a song; it’s a window into a moment—an ode to life’s simplest yet most profound connections. Coons, already celebrated for his warm brand of roots-flavored melodic rock, steps further into a stripped-down Americana landscape here, crafting a delicate and emotive ballad that feels like an open letter to both time and love.
Self-produced and performed entirely by Coons himself, the single reflects his decades-long expertise and deep personal artistry, but more importantly, it feels *human*—grounded in the kind of understated beauty you only find when an artist writes from the heart.
Cory M. Coons – “The Morning Drive”
Stream & Enjoy
Lyrically, “The Morning Drive” resonates like a beloved Polaroid pulled from a dusty keepsake box. Coons captures a tender routine—those early morning drives shared with his daughter along Ontario’s St. Lawrence Seaway. Lines like “Her tiny eyes still softly closed” and “The sun will rise / Down the old nine mile” paint images so vivid you can almost feel the cool morning air on your face.
There’s something universal here, a bittersweet familiarity in celebrating fleeting moments of connection before they slip away into memory.
The chorus carries a quietly soaring tenderness: “I treasure every moment / And cherish every mile / The time with you, my little girl / And the morning drive.” Coons refrains from over-sentimentality, instead letting the lyrics breathe with soft-spoken grace, a testament to his maturity as a songwriter.
Musically, “The Morning Drive” finds power in restraint. The acoustic guitar carries the song with a gentle, steady rhythm, complemented by subtle symphonic touches that shimmer like morning light breaking over the horizon. The arrangement, minimal and unhurried, allows Coons’ warm, weathered vocals to take center stage.
It’s here that his roots and Americana influences come into full bloom—think the reflective storytelling of Gordon Lightfoot or James Taylor, but with the kind of homespun charm reminiscent of John Prine. Each note feels intentional, each pause imbued with quiet meaning, mirroring the contemplative pace of the song’s subject matter.
In producing the track himself—playing every instrument, mixing, and mastering—Coons achieves a raw authenticity. This isn’t polished for radio gloss; it’s tender, tactile, and deeply personal, an extension of his craft and a reflection of an artist proud to stand alone in his truth. The song’s intimacy feels as though it was born in that “Summer Kitchen,” written in those same predawn hours, lingering long after the last note fades.
“The Morning Drive” carries a subtle magic—a reminder that beauty lives in life’s small rituals and the roads we travel with those we love. For anyone who has ever cherished a quiet drive, a fleeting morning, or the weight of time’s passage, this song strikes like an emotional ripple.
Cory M. Coons may have over 30 years in the industry, but with tracks like this, it’s clear his music still comes from a place of humble wonder. “The Morning Drive” is a love letter to memory, and in listening, we’re reminded to treasure the moments that define our days, no matter how small.
For Fans Of:
– Gordon Lightfoot
– John Prine
– James Taylor
– Bruce Cockburn
Final Thoughts:
On “The Morning Drive,” Cory M. Coons reminds us that the most beautiful songs don’t need to shout they just need to feel. This is music for quiet mornings and long drives, for those who find magic in simplicity and love in the passing of time. A rootsy gem from an artist who continues to write from the heart.
–Jamie Cutler
