The term might be overused, but M. Ward’s “Chinese Translation” is truly timeless. Like a few Cat Stevens and—I hate to say it but have to—James Taylor classics, it’s got the kind of gentle but insistent melody and narrative lyrics that oughta make it a go-to acoustic strummer at summer camp campfire singalongs or family road trips, easily interpreted by curious tweens and sentimentally cherished by knowing older folks.

Ward’s voice is soft and strong, like folded leather. Jim James of My Morning Jacket sings gentle background vocals; steel guitar adds dreamy Polynesian exotica to Ward’s acoustic.

As if the song wasn’t sweet enough, Portland illustrator/animator Joel Trussell created a beautiful video to go along with it. If you don’t know Trussell’s work, this is a great introduction; dude’s brilliant (and if you haven’t seen his badass vid for Jason Forrest’s “War Photograher” you really should check it out). He and Ward were meant to go together.

“Chinese Translation” offers a tenderhearted entre into the weekend and is most definitely the best song ever (this week). Enjoy.