It’s a popular belief that less is more, and Jonathan Roy proves it right in his original song “Keeping Me Alive.”
This Canadian pop singer and songwriter released the song in 2019 and it became a hit on YouTube, garnering almost 40 million views. Filmed in black and white, the video features Roy playing the piano and singing. The whole concept is followed by a phenomenal dance performance, and you’ll also see a whole choir in the background.
Jonathan initially pursued a hockey career, but he realized that his heart was fullest when he was creating music.
Being the son of the great Canadian hockey player, Patrick Roy, must have influenced Jonathan into thinking that playing hockey would be a logical move. Even so, he started traveling and soon left his home province of Quebec, Canada to live in California.
Roy drew inspiration from everything that surrounded him and his songs reflect that a lot.
Jonathan’s debut album What I’ve Become came out in 2009. It was followed by his second album Found My Way in 2010. To prove that he truly found his way, Jonathan invested everything in a music career and it blossomed.
In 2011, Roy’s first French-language album was released.
The dues with Natasha St. Pier received a lot of attention, and critics finally noticed Jonathan. Six years later, the new album was ready. “Mr. Optimist Blues” was very well received and critics described it as “easygoing 21st century pop with a little light reggae thrown in for a good measure.”
Roy also had a critically acclaimed role in the 2012 revival of the musical Don Juan.
We completely understand why the main role was given to him. Judging by his phenomenal voice, who wouldn’t go and see him as Don Juan?
All jokes aside, Jonathan described his musical journey like this:
“It took me a lot to leave my comfort zone, I was living in a van to find myself again.”
For more information about Jonathan Roy and his music, visit his official website.
Letting his emotions flow out through his voice must be an amazing feeling.
The video begins with a zoom in on his piano keys. It’s all filmed in black and white and then, in a dim spotlight, Jonathan appears. The choir is behind him, and he’s followed by Caulder Nash on the keyboard and Marc Béland on drums.
The chorus is all members of Mundia Production, and Kim Richardson provided some very powerful back vocals for the song.
The whole concept wouldn’t be the same without a fantastic dancer whose sharp movements follow every note of “Keeping Me Alive.”
It’s a song with a powerful message: letting someone go is never easy, but sometimes you have to do that to stay alive.
Roy expresses every emotion in the video, his facial expressions say it all, despite the dark ambient. His incredible voice can give anyone goosebumps!
The whole thing is a gorgeous combination—the voice, the lyrics and the chorus all makes you replay the song over and over again.
The song carries so much soul and intensity. It’s the grasp in Jonathan’s voice that will give you chills. While we were listening to it, we were reminded of “Believers” by Imagine Dragons.
The perfect way to bring to life such a beautiful song is to perform it with so much passion, and Jonathan seems to be an expert at doing so.
Keep up the good work mister, and we’ll keep up with your work!
Be sure to watch the entire performance by clicking in the link below:
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