From Stray Puppy to Lifelong Friend: The Story Behind “Glimmer”

By Alexandra Bonnet

Neal Sharma & the Sagebrush explore the bond between humans and their canine companions in their latest single.

There’s something about loving a dog that changes your world. Two years ago, my partner and I got our first dog together, and she quickly became my everything. I honestly can’t imagine life without her. It’s a special kind of love, one you can understand in theory but never fully grasp until you experience it yourself.

For San Francisco-based musician Neal Sharma, that connection inspired “Glimmer,” the latest single from Neal Sharma & the Sagebrush.

Sixteen years ago, Sharma stepped outside his front door and found an eight-week-old puppy running loose in the street. He brought the little dog home, never knowing just how much that moment would change his life. The puppy became one of his closest companions, and years later, as his dog approached the end of his life, Sharma began reflecting on their time together.

“The 15 years of life shared with my dog imbued me with indelible lessons about self-awareness, love, attitude, and contentment,” he shares.

Written in one sitting around five o’clock one morning, “Glimmer” began as a personal reflection before expanding into something much bigger. The song traces the ancient relationship between humans and wolves, considering how that connection evolved into the bond we share with dogs today. Its lyrics also capture the quiet intimacy of living alongside an animal, including a moment at the 2:11 mark that Sharma loves for its portrayal of a dog settling down to rest.

Musically, the track pairs alt-country storytelling with the alternative rock influences of bands like Dinosaur Jr. and My Bloody Valentine. The contrast between its louder guitars and softer passages gives the song a sense of movement, reflecting the many layers of a relationship that can be difficult to put into words.

“Glimmer” is the first of three singles leading up to Aster, the band's sixth studio album, arriving January 15, 2027. Produced by Jack Shirley, the record continues Neal Sharma & the Sagebrush's exploration of themes that connect people to the world around them.

What I love most about a song like this is how it reminds us that our pets become so much more than companions. They find their way into our everyday lives, and somewhere along the way, it's impossible to imagine those lives without them.

For Sharma, “Glimmer” is a reflection on a friendship that shaped him. For anyone who has ever loved a dog, it may feel like a reminder to appreciate the time we have with them, because we never really know how much those ordinary moments will mean to us later. About Neal Sharma & the Sagebrush: Based in San Francisco, Neal Sharma & the Sagebrush are gearing up for the release of their sixth studio album this fall, with production credits by Jack Shirley (Jeff Rosenstock, Tony Molina, Gouge Away, Gladie, Deafheaven, Loma Prieta). Blending indie, alternative, and alt-country-leaning Americana with lyrics rooted in ecology, perception, place, and relationships, the band's comforting sound is bound to emanate far and wide.