- 2025-09-13
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MUSIC
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ILIRA Releases New Song “Deer in Headlights”
Swiss singer-songwriter Ilira Gashi, aka ILIRA released a new song “Deer in Headlights” on September 12, 2025.
The song is the second solo single of 2025, following “Truman Show” released back in April.
The track describes the paralyzing moment just before a relationship completely falls apart. ILIRA sings about the painful reality of loving someone who doesn't protect you and being unable to break free from a bond that has long since destroyed you from within.
The song is a tribute to her father, who passed away on August 20, 2025.
It was written by Brad Ellis, Ilira Gashi, and Jez Ashurst. Produced by Jez Ashurst and Brad Ellis.
The accompanying music video was directed by Luca Perrin.
ILIRA said of the song, “This is the hardest release for me. This was my dad's favorite song of mine, he was constantly listening to the demo, my dad was my biggest supporter, in good and in bad times throughout my career. I dedicate this song to my dearest father and hero, may he hear the song again, wherever he is. I love you dad .”- ILIRA shared on social media last month, “Yesterday was the worst day of my life. I lost my father, my best friend, my protector, so suddenly. This summer we had so many beautiful moments together and I didn't know they would be our last. I had nightmares about losing him but I never thought they'd come true. The last moment with him was so ordinary and so him. He asked me which shoes he should wear. I told him the blue ones, because they matched his shirt. He smiled, left for work, and that evening the shoes came back but he didn't.
I will never be the same again. But I know I have to be strong for my family because that's what he would want. I'm grateful I told him I love you almost every day and that he knew how much he meant to me. We were so close, all of us as a family, we went through the hardest things together and still had the best times.
When my heart was broken he sat at the edge of my bed and told me I deserve the best and that time would heal my wounds. Today I hold onto those words and hope time can heal this one too.” -
She continued, “Life will never be the same without him. He was the best father I could have wished for. He always wanted justice for the world, for people, for animals. He loved us more than anything and we loved him and we knew it. And the love he carried for my mother, and the love they both shared, is one of the most beautiful things I've ever witnessed. It taught me what love truly is. I have to be here for her now, because she has the greatest loss of all.
If you're reading this please go hug your dads, your moms, your sisters, your partners. Don't wait. You think you'll always come home to them, but one day you won't. Love each other while you can.
Dad, I'll love you forever. You live in me. I'll honor you by never letting go of music, the passion you loved so much in me. Mom, Gresa and I love you endlessly. You'll never be gone.” - source : Apple Music
