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Esther Rose, “Keeps Me Running,” // GemsOnVHS™

GemsOnVHS | February 28, 2026



We headed down to New Orleans to catch up with Esther Rose and her band. I’m not as well versed in the various parishes of the Big Easy as Esther is, so I had no idea where we might end up when she invited me to come record some of her new songs. She didn’t disappoint, as we ended up in the beautiful, historic Marigny Opera House. Light poured through the windows and seemed to dance with the frolicking, light hearted tunes of the musicians.

I love finding what Esther has been up to. She is naturally cool as they come, hard working and dedicated to her craft, songwriting. While I never know where we will end up (we saw a bear in North Carolina and she ran away and left me to be eaten), I always know she is bringing some fire to the table. Her new record doesn’t disappoint, and is sure to burn a hole in my stereo for years to come. In this lineup my favorite fiddle player Lyle Werner returns, and Max on the guitar.

From the Wikipedia on the Marigny;
In 1847 the Catholic priest J.M. Masquelet purchased a property on the corner of Dauphine Street and St. Ferdinand Street in Faubourg Marigny for $3,000 to build a parish church.[1] He commissioned the architect Theodore Giraud to design the church building. The following year the parish is dedicated as Holy Trinity Church, a Catholic church serving the German immigrant community.[2] The original church was destroyed in a fire in 1851. In 1853 a new church is built under the direction of Rev. Matthias Schifferer.[1]

“Keeps Me Running” is out now on Father/Daughter Records (US) and Full Time Hobby (UK).
Download + stream here: https://smarturl.it/keepsmerunning

band: Matt Bell, Lyle Werner, Max Bien Kahn, Gina Leslie, Howe Pearson
audio assistance: Adam Keil
location: Marigny Opera House

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Written by GemsOnVHS

Comments

This post currently has 25 comments.

  1. @UNCLEBEN2021

    February 28, 2026 at 9:46 am

    I love her voice I started listening to her stuff often after hearing her for the first time on your channel.Ive become a big fan of many of the artist you've presented so many beautiful songs such real music.Its just meaningful and true music.Thank you for that .

  2. @cedarriver

    February 28, 2026 at 9:46 am

    Love Esther's music. Didn't like it at first, but that changed over time. She has such a positive, charismatic aura! Chords and lyrics below folks.

    Also on UG: https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/esther-rose/keeps-me-running-chords-3446939

    Capo on 2, standard tuning. Studio version are the same chords btw.

    Intro E A
    Verses G D G D G D E A
    Chorus D Em A D Em A (plus 3 more times in the last chorus)
    Interlude D Em A D Em A

    [Verse 1]
    Strike a match and watch it burn
    Now every single match will get a turn
    First the smoke, then a flame appears
    I can feel the fire drawing me in
    Smoke is filling up my room
    As I write another love letter to you
    Just for you

    [Verse 2]
    See the sun is sinking low
    You're going but you got nowhere to go
    Walk the streets, you're nowhere bound
    Like the king of the underground
    Now you're calling me your friend
    Setting me free to chase the wind
    Chase the wind

    [Chorus]
    Fire that keeps me, keeps me
    Fire that keeps me, keeps me running
    Running
    Fire that keeps me, keeps me
    Fire that keeps me, keeps me running
    Running

    [Interlude]

    [Verse 3]
    Sun is sinking, now it's gone
    But it's coming back before too long
    I'll hit the pavement, walk it out
    Telling me what it's all about
    And all my friends out at the show
    I'm going but I've got nowhere to go
    To go

    [Verse 4]
    Fire looking back at me
    Fire tell me what you see
    Tell me how you burn so bright
    Keeping me company tonight
    Yes I'm calling you my friend
    But every fire needs the wind
    Chase the wind

    [Chorus]
    Fire that keeps me, keeps me
    Fire that keeps me, keeps me running
    Running
    Fire that keeps me, keeps me
    Fire that keeps me, keeps me running
    Running
    Oooooooh keeps me, keeps me running
    Running
    Oooooooh keeps me, keeps me running
    Running
    Oooooooh keeps me, keeps me running

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