No doubt this song is one of GE's biggest songs. Only Radar Love gives it a run for its money. The difference, though, and what I think actually makes this one better than Radar Love is the fact that this is sort of an epic, whereas that one is just a great rocker. This song seems to be aiming at something bigger and more meaningful. And I'm not really talking about the lyrics when I say this (upon a quick glance and listen they seem to be about a hitman performing his first kill, where he enters the twilight zone, or enters insanity and leaves reality. Mental health?); the music itself builds with this atmosphere unlike no other, and I freaking love it. There are so many other things I love about the song too, like those harmonies in the pre-chorus and chorus, that repetitive guitar bit in the middle that doesn't actually feel repetitive, and the well-written guitar solo. Also, just one more thing, I've been doing some thinking, and to me, what makes this song so pleasing, besides all those other terrific things I've mentioned and haven't mentioned (I'm sure someone else can point out so many other great things I missed), is simply the chord progression they use. I'm no music major, so I can't actually tell you what the chords are, or the key the song is in, but when I can tell you is that there's something called tension and release when considering chords. There's a famous video on youtube that explains how all the most famous pop songs use the same four-chord progression, called "Axis of Awesome - 4 Four Chord Song (with song titles)," and when you watch it you'll know what I mean about tension and release. It just feels good to hear those chords played (well, one could argue our Western ears are used to it and that's why it's satisfying, which is probably part of the reason, but I think there's something naturally human as to why we like those chords over others), and I think there's something similar with the chords chosen here. I'm not really trying to compare it to that video, but I'm just saying there's something effortlessly pleasing to the progression this song uses. I think that's why I keep coming back to it. Speaking of that, I'm going to listen to it again. Peace.
No doubt this song is one of GE's biggest songs. Only Radar Love gives it a run for its money. The difference, though, and what I think actually makes this one better than Radar Love is the fact that this is sort of an epic, whereas that one is just a great rocker. This song seems to be aiming at something bigger and more meaningful. And I'm not really talking about the lyrics when I say this (upon a quick glance and listen they seem to be about a hitman performing his first kill, where he enters the twilight zone, or enters insanity and leaves reality. Mental health?); the music itself builds with this atmosphere unlike no other, and I freaking love it. There are so many other things I love about the song too, like those harmonies in the pre-chorus and chorus, that repetitive guitar bit in the middle that doesn't actually feel repetitive, and the well-written guitar solo. Also, just one more thing, I've been doing some thinking, and to me, what makes this song so pleasing, besides all those other terrific things I've mentioned and haven't mentioned (I'm sure someone else can point out so many other great things I missed), is simply the chord progression they use. I'm no music major, so I can't actually tell you what the chords are, or the key the song is in, but when I can tell you is that there's something called tension and release when considering chords. There's a famous video on youtube that explains how all the most famous pop songs use the same four-chord progression, called "Axis of Awesome - 4 Four Chord Song (with song titles)," and when you watch it you'll know what I mean about tension and release. It just feels good to hear those chords played (well, one could argue our Western ears are used to it and that's why it's satisfying, which is probably part of the reason, but I think there's something naturally human as to why we like those chords over others), and I think there's something similar with the chords chosen here. I'm not really trying to compare it to that video, but I'm just saying there's something effortlessly pleasing to the progression this song uses. I think that's why I keep coming back to it. Speaking of that, I'm going to listen to it again. Peace.