Breaking Benjamin’s guitarist Keith Wallen dropped his first solo album last year and has continued to make his own tracks since then. Recently, he dropped a cover of “I’m With You” by Avril Lavigne, taking his fans by surprise, but by no means is this a disappointment for any. The music video for this cover is filmed entirely in the back of an open truck, where Keith Wallen is singing and looking out the back at the empty roads. This track was such an iconic song when it first came out, and that remains true to this day. 

I don’t normally watch music videos, but for research purposes, I pulled up the official music video for Avril Lavigne. There are moments in her music video where she is walking towards the camera alone, empty streets. Keith’s choice to film in a truck that moves towards the camera while he looks out the back at the emptiness is like a poetic opposite view. I don’t know if this was intentional at all, but that’s my take on the filming choices.

According to Wallen, he remembers when this song first came out and how listening to it again has reminded him how much of a timeless work of art the single is. It was such a fun and nostalgic moment for him to record this cover. 

I believe that he did this song justice in covering this track while still giving it his own sound to it. You can see and feel that he is putting his all — emotion and vocals — into this cover, as he’s realized just how much this song has truly impacted his life from the first listen to now. I’m sure there is a song that everyone else would feel this strongly about to date — I know I do. The amount of dopamine that is probably released is so raw and real. 

Starting next month, he’ll be on tour. Maybe, just maybe, he’ll play this special cover song live. Take a chance and grab a ticket to find out!

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