Drake White returns with the infectious “Eat, Drink & Dream,” the lead track from his forthcoming EP Stars, which Billboard premieres exclusively below. The uplifting tune features White’s rapid-fire singing, ace musicianship and a heartfelt message about chasing your dreams.
While White has spent the past several months undergoing treatment for a debilitating brain condition following a brain hemorrhage that caused him to collapse onstage last year, the singer-songwriter’s creativity hasn’t halted. “Eat, Drink & Dream” is the first taste of new music from his forthcoming EP Stars, due out April 24.
“‘Eat, Drink & Dream’ is a declaration of relentless optimism,” the singer tells Billboard. “In the face of adversity, when no one is looking, that is when an individual’s true character is revealed. That’s what this song is — a power dose of optimism that you can!”
The infectious tune has White sharing this positive message with fans, as heard on his favorite line: “Imagination’s like a telepathic way into the future/ You can be a passenger, or you could be the chooser.”
“I believe your imagination is God’s way of telling you your future,” White says. “You always have a choice to choose your own path, or have someone choose for you, as well,” White says.
White penned the song with Tommy Cecil and Grayland James. “Grayland James is a great guitar player and had the path laid out melodically, if I recall correctly, and Tommy is great at pulling it all into a vibey track,” he adds. “I just started spitting over the melody and we kept what we loved. Grayland and Tommy are pioneers in their own right and were a blast to work with.”
Stars marks White’s first set of new music since parting ways with Big Machine Label Group’s Dot Records imprint in 2018. The album will be released his own imprint Reverend White.
“Looking at the night sky gives me peace. It makes my worries feel small and my dreams feel expansive,” he says of Stars. “I’ve always loved sitting around a fire and letting my mind wonder as I look at the cosmos. I’ve wished upon them, I’ve been guided by them, I’ve prayed under their blanket for healing, for peace, for love, for joy, for connection and prosperity. When they align, magic happens. Stars are like songs, and constellations are like albums to me.”
The complete track list for Stars is below, as well as the song “Eat, Drink & Dream.”
1. “Mix ‘Em With Whiskey” – Ryan Beaver, Rodney Clawson, Adam Hambrick, Andrew DeRoberts
2. “All Would Be Right With the World” – Drake White, Tommy Cecil, Matt Alderman
3. “Luckiest Man” – Ben Burgess, Josh Kerr, Alysa Vanderheym, Cary Barlowe
4. “Eat, Drink & Dream” – Drake White, Tommy Cecil, Greylan James
5. “My Favorite Band” – Drake White, Ross Ellis, Dan Fernandez, Michael Whitworth
Listen to “Eat, Drink & Dream” below.
