I know, I know, musical appreciation is subjective. But I’m convinced Kacey Musgraves’ “Rainbow” is the type O-negative of songs — a universal donor that has the power to revive anyone who hears it. I play it when I’m sad. I send it to other people when they’re sad. It’s kind. It’s effective. When this whole storm of awfulness is over, and we emerge squinting and blinking into the sunlight of a relatively normal presidential administration, COVID-19 vaccine in hand, it will be impossible to calculate how many dark days “Rainbow” helped to brighten.

Musgraves’ ode to perseverance seems poised to become a standard, and Landon Elliott has recorded an arresting new version that leans into its powerful affect with care and grace. He’s also leaned into the song’s imagery via the beautifully composed video above (directed by Daniel Bagbey), and a fundraising project whereby the art he commissioned to create the video is being sold to benefit Side by Side, a Richmond-based organization “dedicated to creating supportive communities where Virginia’s LGBTQ+ youth can define themselves, belong, and flourish.” My own daughter (a prolific rainbow artist) submitted a watercolor work for the project, and I can’t tell you how proud I was to see it appear in the video. Okay, so I’m like 99.4% sure hers is in there. As far as my daughter could tell, I was 175% sure, though, and she was so thrilled. I’m just as thrilled that Elliott’s given us an opportunity to support a great organization.

Watch the video above, and click here to buy a piece of the artwork that appeared in it, with proceeds going to Side by Side.