tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893028946956085668.post8240421528615719462..comments2023-03-31T02:38:50.275-07:00Comments on Tour Memories (and occasional musings): In Color - A Reviewasphodeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316052330459955707noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893028946956085668.post-77348764846272358302018-02-28T04:02:05.172-08:002018-02-28T04:02:05.172-08:00That is one of the coolest Nerd-outs I've read...That is one of the coolest Nerd-outs I've read in a long time. I'm going to listen to Record Store again now...!asphodeliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17316052330459955707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893028946956085668.post-41248761647006896362018-02-27T17:17:42.641-08:002018-02-27T17:17:42.641-08:00Hey remember when 8ish months ago you demanded I &...Hey remember when 8ish months ago you demanded I "hijack or else"...? Better late than never, right? ;)<br /><br />OK so on "STWTLY:" I love this song for a lot of the reasons you pointed out: it's catchy, upbeat, a great vocal and tells a fun story. But the thing that adds another layer of meaning for me is that I can't help but hear "STWTLY" as the prequel to an existing song: "Record Store" by Butch Walker, from his Stay Gold album released in 2016: <br /><br />https://youtu.be/orgjnGCB4Dk <br /><br />Together, the story the two songs tell is bigger and more moving than either one alone.<br /><br />In "STWTLY" we hear from a guy in love with the "girl next door" who has grown up to achieve music stardom. The narrator sings about watching her chase her dreams, how he's loved her from the start, and how now that she's in the limelight he remains, faithfully, "somebody that wants to love you." The song captures how excited and proud he is for her--and his longing for her to love him back.<br /><br />"Record Store" revisits this same pair many years later, and things haven't turned out the way our narrator hoped. Fame has taken its toll on the woman he loves, and (spoiler alert) she picked another dude. The narrator was always afraid he wasn't quite good enough for her, but he also believes that he could have made her happy, if she'd given him the chance. He knows it's too late for them to have what he wished for all those years ago, but she remains in his life.<br /><br />It's kind of uncanny how perfectly the story lines up across the two songs, and how certain lyrics almost seem to be direct references to one another:<br /><br />STWTLY: <br />Long before the spotlight / you were part of my life / more than just the girl next door/ standing on the front porch / singing "God Only Knows" / dreaming how the crowd would roar<br /><br />RS:<br />I can't call you by your stage name / you're still the girl I know / that hated wearing dresses and loved the radio<br /><br />And:<br /><br />STWTLY:<br />You've got yes-men in the corner / acting like they own you / mapping out the path you'll roam<br /><br />RS:<br />All the cocaine and yes-men / you sadly all believed in / let you walk the wire without a net<br /><br />And:<br /><br />STWTLY:<br />Head in the future / heart in Oklahoma / that's the girl I always knew<br /><br />RS: <br />What if things had been different / and you ended up with me / would you have stayed in the Bible belt / and had a family?<br /><br />And finally:<br /><br />STWTLY:<br />I'm just somebody that wants to love you<br /><br />RS:<br />I wanna love like I loved you when I could<br /><br />The feel of the two songs also seems to fit a before-and-after narrative. "STWTLY" is exuberant, joyful, brimming over with the brightness of the future: "Record Store" is tired and resigned, but still tender and affectionate. "Somebody" has a throwback 80s vibe that makes it sound like it's from a bygone decade; "Record Store" is acoustic and timeless. Taylor's voice is younger than Butch's by some 14 years, and on these two songs that contrast is stark. Listen to them back to back ("STWTLY" and then "Record Store") and you'll see what I mean.<br /><br />I know that Hanson know Butch Walker, and that they have performed/hung out together in the past. But I don't think the parallels between "STWTLY" and "Record Store" are necessarily deliberate--it's probably a coincidence that they both landed on this story, but ended up telling it from two very different perspectives, yielding two very different songs that just happen to fit together like pieces of the same puzzle. And that might be the coolest part.Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02619528225936418162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893028946956085668.post-58355438024345734562017-06-25T08:33:19.973-07:002017-06-25T08:33:19.973-07:00I really liked your review, Paola. I didn't kn...I really liked your review, Paola. I didn't know there were rumours about Zac being a ghostwriter - ha! My favourite songs off the EP are Somebody That Wants To Love You and I Don't Want To Go Home - just like you, I see myself playing them over and over again. As for I Lift You Up - it is unusual and not really to my liking. But perhaps you are right about the God interpretation. Whether I like some of the songs or all five is irrelevant, though - the important thing is Hanson are doing a wonderful thing by giving their fans five new songs each year <3. You are totally right about that.Blagovestahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06069490513475465861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893028946956085668.post-88919375760158490472017-06-20T05:07:05.284-07:002017-06-20T05:07:05.284-07:00I really hope he'll play ILYU in Jamaica. I...I really hope he'll play ILYU in Jamaica. I'm sure someone will record it (I'm terrible with video recording but I'll ask Kait). You'll hear these songs soon- I'm sure! They might even sneak one or two into the main set at NOLA or Nashville.<br />We can also ask him to via PM ;)asphodeliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17316052330459955707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893028946956085668.post-68047160963147997752017-06-19T06:59:43.537-07:002017-06-19T06:59:43.537-07:00Love your review.
My fave is IDWTGH, I'm alrea...Love your review.<br />My fave is IDWTGH, I'm already in pain cause I have no idea when I'm gonna listen to this song live again.<br />I've been skipping ILYU, but it was a totally different experience hearing it live. It was beautiful!<br />I have a feeling Zac is gonna play it in January. I hope someone records the performance, cause I really wanna see it being played live again.<br />Overall, it's a great EP and it's been looping since I arrived from Tulsa 💙Ceciliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12430614627688141899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893028946956085668.post-34527150689759460522017-06-19T02:56:07.386-07:002017-06-19T02:56:07.386-07:00I demand that you hijack! That's the whole poi...I demand that you hijack! That's the whole point of these blog posts - to discuss!<br />Your interpretation makes sense. The reason why I went for the song writing theory is that the rumour has been going round for ages. I know that writing for other artists is common, but somehow I can totally believe that Hanson would keep that secret. And also, the other artists themselves might want to keep it secret, as Hanson are not exactly well respected outside our fanbase.<br /><br />But ....hmmm yes. I think your theory wins for the reasons you highlighted in your post.<br /><br />Now, hijack, or else.asphodeliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17316052330459955707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893028946956085668.post-15840149113398616462017-06-18T17:01:11.053-07:002017-06-18T17:01:11.053-07:00Soooooo, re: "Ghostwriter." I like that ...Soooooo, re: "Ghostwriter." I like that you related it to "White Collar Crime" because it also reminds me of that song: Zac takes a jab at corporate phoniness. And while obviously he's never had to hold such a job, his level of familiarity with Silicon Valley hucksters and image manipulation at the executive level suggests that he has definitely been exposed to this world. Maybe he's drawing on their IDJ days, maybe as business owners they've gotten a glimpse of it, or maybe he watches Billions. And while you're not the first person I've seen suggest that "Ghostwriter" is about Hanson writing songs for other artists, I have a different theory/perspective for a couple of reasons:<br /><br />1) Writing songs for other people is a pretty common practice in the music world. There's a whole industry around it, and it's not a secret--songwriters don't typically talk about what they do as "ghostwriting." I listen to a podcast called "And The Writer Is" where songwriters for Top 40 artists talk openly about who wrote whose songs (it's great, BTW). So if Hanson/Zac have written songs for other people, it probably wasn't done under the cloak of secrecy that "Ghostwriter" implies: "hold your tongue like the man without a face/" "discretion to acquire our revenue." Maybe people have asked them to work on songs and not given them credit, I don't know, but I don't think this song is about that, because...<br /><br />2) ..."Ghostwriter" is *REALLY* spot-on in terms of describing the profession that the word "ghostwriter" really refers to: a writer who writes material for someone else who is the named author. A ghostwriter goes into an assignment knowing that part of the deal is "selling your words under someone else's name." You work closely with your client, and part of your job is to learn a lot about them/kind of get into their head so you can write believably in their voice. If you're interviewing somebody to write a book about them, or articles from their perspective, you're going to learn some things they don't want to see in print. <br /><br />And what I love most about the song is that it subtly implies a hidden agenda: "cause learning their secrets is your aim." This ghostwriter is happy to watch his/her client walk away with the "wealth and fame" -- but he/she is gathering intel to use later ("skeletons are currency"). Which is why the cheerful, upbeat sound of the song is so great/ironic--behind the bop bop bops and doo doo doo's, the ghostwriter is plotting something kind of dark and sneaky. And last but not least: the line "every story hides it secrets in our points of view" is brilliant. <br /><br />TL;DR: I'm not quite sure where Zac got this idea or how he is so familiar with the concept, but he nailed it in too much detail for me to believe any other interpretation of the song.<br /><br />I have thoughts on "Somebody That Wants to Love You" as well...but I'll save them for another time so as not to hijack this entire post...Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02619528225936418162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893028946956085668.post-83332382424440924632017-06-18T16:46:00.547-07:002017-06-18T16:46:00.547-07:00If you're seeing God references everywhere...w...If you're seeing God references everywhere...well, the "Something Going Round" lyrics might be a fitting addition to your growing list ;-)Hollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08236279805991788308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893028946956085668.post-36661625985799553092017-06-18T15:55:45.670-07:002017-06-18T15:55:45.670-07:00I'm going to read Holly's post next (she p...I'm going to read Holly's post next (she posted it during our tour here) but from what you're saying here, that explanation also makes sense. I'm an agnostic who sees God everywhere...I might need help.asphodeliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17316052330459955707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893028946956085668.post-69117315544182611032017-06-18T14:46:13.493-07:002017-06-18T14:46:13.493-07:00To begin with, this is a great review. One of my f...To begin with, this is a great review. One of my favorite elements of the Hanson fan community is this little contingent of us that feels compelled to dig into songs and lyrics to try and analyze their context and meaning, and talk about how they make us feel. Thank you for taking the time to compile your thoughts and post them for discussion!! #nerds4lyfe<br /><br />Some of these songs I don't really have much more to say about than has been said: for example, I agree with the practically universal interpretation of "I Don't Want to Go Home" as an anthem for the fans. I really like how you framed it as something Hanson might have written from the perspective of watching us build friendships/bonds/memories, and put it out as a signal to us that they "get it." Awww. How could we not love that?? I don't have anything to add re: "Reach Out for My Hand" except that I think your observation about it reflecting Isaac's podcast themes is right on target. And in terms of "I Lift You Up," the theory that it is about a God figure certainly holds water, especially if Zac is as devout as the fan rumor mill suggests. For me, as a person who is actively *not* religious, Holly's interpretation of it as a song about watching a loved one struggle with depression is more relatable and meaningful. But this is a situation where I'm grateful that they kept the lyrics vague enough to work either way. We get to choose :) <br /><br />But those other 2 songs...I have thoughts on...Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02619528225936418162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893028946956085668.post-13444215727409435282017-06-18T13:19:02.374-07:002017-06-18T13:19:02.374-07:00It's a sleeper, isn't it? It will never be...It's a sleeper, isn't it? It will never be a favourite of mine because of the music style but it's not a throwaway song. It's really beautiful in its own way.asphodeliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17316052330459955707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893028946956085668.post-10322470111684977672017-06-18T13:17:39.185-07:002017-06-18T13:17:39.185-07:00Wait wait: I totally missed your review. I see fro...Wait wait: I totally missed your review. I see from the date that you posted it while I was at the shows - so I must catch up and then cross check your comment with the one I'll write on yours (nerd).<br /><br />I'm glad my God interpretation doesn't sound crazy. For someone who is not religious, I see God references pretty much everywhere. Maybe someone is trying to tell me something...asphodeliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17316052330459955707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893028946956085668.post-16301874080490986372017-06-18T13:08:57.990-07:002017-06-18T13:08:57.990-07:00This was a great review. I agree with you, as ofte...This was a great review. I agree with you, as often I do. The last track has taken more plays than most slow songs to get me on board, but I am now. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18120758251535179262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893028946956085668.post-9745086233352958332017-06-18T12:49:36.112-07:002017-06-18T12:49:36.112-07:00I agree with so much of this! I definitely think o...I agree with so much of this! I definitely think of "Somebody that Wants To Love You" as 2017's version of "Stop Me In My Tracks." I didn't catch that the perspective in the song can be ambiguous, but now that you point it out, I can see it. It's very subtle and I'm not even sure intentional, but I like that it adds another layer of possibility to the song. Thanks for pointing it out!<br /><br />I actually completely agree with your assessment of "I Lift You Up" as well, despite the fact that it sounds different from mine. Someone messaged me after I posted my review and shared with me their interpretation of the song being about God. It was like a giant lightbulb went off in my head and it seemed so obvious and fitting with every line. I told myself I wouldn't go back and edit my review because it wasn't MY revelation, and I think the way I interpreted it still works in a more vague way for those that may not appreciate religious influences in Hanson's music. I do think your interpretation is spot-on, though, and I love that the song that seems the most "boring" or like a skip song at surface level actually has so much more going on when you take a closer look.<br /><br />Hollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08236279805991788308noreply@blogger.com