“Sideways” by Lauren Ruth Ward – A Song Review

     Early in her career, while at the peak of her influence, Gwen Stefani was known for songs that laid her soul bare. Stefani collaborated with other members of No Doubt in composing songs that still stand tall, despite the passing of years.

     Lauren Ruth Ward is fast becoming the current equivalent to early-years Stefani. Ward is also a singer/songwriter based  in the Los Angeles area. She typically writes with Eduardo Rivera to generate songs that are introspective, often revealing, and always praiseworthy. “Sideways” is the latest example. The track reflects the difficulties of acclimating to a significant life change. Things may go sideways, making it easy to be distracted by the people who are then able to walk faster than you. But “Sideways” suggests, in three-part harmony, that you ask, “Do you feel like you want to feel?”.

     In addition to the three-part harmony, the cowbell at the start of “Sideways” is new to fans of Lauren Ruth Ward. But the track includes Ward’s signature vibrato and changes of pace. Thus, the verse that begins with “It was a Tuesday” is downtempo, but the pace increases during the line referring to being “distracted by the people walking faster than me.”

     The full membership is Lauren Ruth Ward (lead vocals, guitar), Eduardo Rivera (guitar, backgrounding vocals), Livia Slingerland (bass, backgrounding vocals), and India Pascucci (drums, backgrounding vocals). They are all included in the video of “Sideways,” which is embedded in this post. The debut album is scheduled for release on February 9, via Weekday Records.

     “Sideways” by Lauren Ruth Ward 

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

Website: http://www.laurenruthwardmusic.com/

Lyrics of “Sideways” by Lauren Ruth Ward

I can't help the way I want

I was born on a Friday

Need new air in my lungs

Lovin' me a good sideways

My disciples are only happy when I'm leading

Saying "It's too late to be a crooner."

I'm okay with

Being a late bloomer

[Mama, I'm going sideways

Mama, I'm going sideways

Do you feel like you want to feel?]

Smiling, dancing, make believing

I was happy but the prettier the picture

The border the bitch is

It was a Sunday or someday or a something

And I was getting ready, dressed up for nothing.

Ain't got nothing on my agenda

Still no time to call my Mama, mama, mama

[Mama, I'm going sideways

Mama, I'm going sideways

Do you feel like you want to feel?]

It was a Tuesday

And I was the Lizard Queen

Had on my cheap jeans

And I was dreaming

Heavy, wholeheartedly about the things I want to be

And all the things I wasn't

I knew I'd need a budget

Got me a job and planned real good

But all the planning didn't go as it should

I was distracted by the people walking faster than me, me

[I'm going sideways

I'm going sideways

Do you feel like you want to feel?]

[I'm going sideways

I'm going sideways

Do you feel like you want to feel?

Like you want to feel?

Like you need to feel?]

Lauren Ruth Ward will be at LA’s The Echo for four consecutive Mondays:

January 8: Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo

January 15: Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo

January 22: Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo

January 29: Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo