“Could Have Been Me” by The Struts – It Has Gone Viral

     On Monday, The New York Times reported “Spotify's Top 10 Most Viral Tracks” for the previous seven-day period. At number one in the United States was The Struts’ “Could Have Been Me.” The formula for measuring viralocity is based on the number of people who shared a song divided by the number who listened to it via Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter and Spotify. We’re not ready to agree with the approach, but we agree that the results are interesting. The full list is:

1. The Struts, “Could Have Been Me” (Virgin EMI Records)

2. Dropout, “Slowly” (Atlantic Recording Corporation)

3. Daye Jack, “Save My Soul” (Warner Bros Records)

4. Twisted Measure, “Chandelier” (Twisted Measure)

5. The Weeknd, “Can’t Feel My Face” (Republic Records)

6. Ji-min, Iron, “Puss (Prod. by Rhymer)” (CJ E&M;)

7. Boh Doran, “White Knuckles” (Big Stuff Records)

8. Vicktor Taiwò, “Feathers & Wax” (Yebo Music)

9. AIR BAG ONE, “1992” (Ruben Nation)

10. The Internet, “Special Affair” (Odd Future)

     “Could Have Been Me” is an anthem. The song has been around since 2013, but is experiencing a reintroduction to the Indie world. It has a Freddie Mercury flavor to it at times, but The Struts are not Queen wannabes. This quartet from Derby has a sound it can call its own. The members are Luke Spiller (lead vocals), Addo Slack (guitar, vocals), Jed Elliott (bass, vocals), and Gethin Davies (drums).

     What’s to like about “Could Have Been Me?” Our favorite aspects are the message of the song (the lyrics are below) and choir that enters around 2:08.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestruts

Website: http://www.thestruts.com/

“Could Have Been Me” – the lyrics

Don't wanna live as an untold story

Rather go out in a blaze of glory

I can't hear you, I don't fear you

I'll live now cause the bad die last

Dodging bullets with your broken past

I can't hear you, I don't fear you now

Wrapped in your regret

What a waste of blood and sweat

Oh oh oh

I wanna taste love and pain

Wanna feel pride and shame

I don't wanna take my time

Don't wanna waste one line

I wanna live better days

Never look back and say

Could have been me

It could have been me

Yeah

Don't wanna live as an unsung melody

I'd rather listen to the silence telling me

I can't hear you, I won't fear you

Don't wanna wake up on Monday morning

The thought of work's getting my skin crawling

I can't fear you, I don't hear you now

Wrapped in your regret

What a waste of blood and sweat

Oh oh oh

I wanna taste love and pain

Wanna feel pride and shame

I don't wanna take my time

Don't wanna waste one line

I wanna live better days

Never look back and say

Could have been me

It could have been me

Yeah

Hey

I wanna taste love and pain

Wanna feel pride and shame

Don't wanna take my time

No

Don't wanna waste one line

Hey Hey

Wanna live better days

Just better

Never look back and say

Could have been me

It could have been me

It could have been me

It could have been me

I wanna taste love and pain

Wanna feel pride and shame

I don't wanna take my time

Don't wanna waste one line

I wanna live better days

Never look back and say

Could have been me

It could have been me

It could have been me

It could have been me

Yeah