OneRepublic's (1R) song "Good Life" has been on repeat in my head lately. When I'm in my car, listening to the radio, if this song comes up, the volume goes up with it. I look ahead onto the road as if looking at a camera in my own music video. Don't worry, I've still yet to have gotten into an accident (God forbid).
The main element that caught my attention with this song was the percussion at the beginning. It feels very driven, almost tribal, and anthem-like. It reminds me of the percussiveness in Adele's "Rolling in the Deep". Songs with percussion like this have a direct connection to my heart, mind, and soul. I come alive. I become contemplative. I think of my life, the lives of others, where we are in time and place, I think about human civilization, and how so many are privileged, and how just as many, if not more, are disadvantaged. A whirlwind of thoughts come through my mind as I connect to the rhythm of such music.
I haven't written a Current Song Obsession (CSO) post lately because though there have been many songs, this one has truly been on repeat lately, and up until now, I was wondering when I'd write my next post in this series which I informally launched with the song "Get It Right" from the TV show GLEE, a song, I feel, very accurately describes my life, my thoughts, and frequently, my actions.
Anyway, back to 1R. Initially, when I listen to songs, I try to find the message in the lyrics, if there happens to be any message. Many times the lyrics can be interpreted at face value. Other times, they may be more metaphorical. It's always up to the songwriter, and what they want to say.
That being said, upon first hearing the song, and particularly the chorus, I thought it was a very spiritual message, an uplifting one, particularly about overcoming some kind of adversity. After watching this lyrics video below, I had to re-evaluate my conclusion of the song's meaning. Did it even have a message? Was it a story? My new conclusion is that in this song, singer Ryan Tedder is describing the success of his band, and how they've traveled throughout the world, but fully enjoying the ride that came with their band's success. Their success has rewarded them with a "good, good life".
As a pop song lover, one of my favorite types of songs are those that teach lessons or tell stories. The lesson could be in a single line of the song, it could be the entire song itself, or anything in between. Many times, if a song has a lesson to teach, the lesson is highlighted just before the chorus is repeated, therefore giving the song a little more impact in its chorus, where much of the emotion of songs are located, and of course, the chorus of a song is where the title is usually found.
When you're happy like a fool
You let it take you over.
When everything is out,
You gotta take it in.
I'm of the opinion that this song, at its core, is a message of finding the good in life. Whether you're traveling, missing friends or family, making sacrifices that keep you out of contact with loved ones, there's good that's always surrounding you. And if you can, you need be aware of it, and "you let it take you over", and then share it with others when you get the chance.
When you live a good life, you can get more out of it when you share the joy it gives you with others, which, in turn, makes everyone's life a little better.
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