“The Divide” by James Ollier – A Song Feature

 

     James Ollier explains “The Divide” as a song about being “stuck between two choices.” The song allows the listener to personalize the internal battle of reaching a decision, since the lyrics barely allude to the subject matter of the choices (the lyrics are included at the bottom of this post). Still, the intensity profile and the lyrics clearly communicate the weightiness of the decision.
 
  For almost three minutes, “The Divide” has a stepped-intensity profile that effectively builds upon a sense of urgency. Among the steps, the most significant is delivered by the percussion shortly before the 90 second mark. The drumming elevates the importance of rhythm in driving the song forwardly. Later, the force of “The Divide” does subside, but only briefly, until the song crescendos to its conclusion.
 
     The first and the final verses reveal the difficulty, the importance, and the uncertainty of deciding between the choices. The track begins “It was war // A division of thoughts.” And it ends by acknowledging that even after making a selection, there won’t be an assuredness that it is the better choice:
Don't waste time
Caught, stuck on which one’s right
Caught in the divide
I'll never be sure
 
     “The Divide” is the second release from an upcoming EP “For a Moment or a While.” The EP is scheduled to drop in 2025. James Ollier is a British vocalist-songwriter, who draws inspiration for his songs from his many travels. James writes about his journeys, portraying through his songs a sense of movement and wanderlust.
 
     “The Divide” by James Ollier

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesOllierMusic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/james_ollier/
Streaming “The Divide:” https://ffm.to/a2ab8w0
 
Lyrics of “The Divide” by James Ollier
It was war
A division of thoughts
I said I didn't care
You know I cared
 
I've been caught
Following a drift course
I said I didn’t care
I've always cared
 
And I'm fine
I just know it’s not true
I made a choice, Babe
I made it true
 
I'm fine I'm
Just looking at you
It’s not my truth, Babe
It’s not my
Truth
 
It was war
I know it’s hard
Do you really wanna go like that?
Or back to the start?
 
I've been caught
Should I be more
I said I didn't care
But I've always cared
 
And I'm fine
I just know it’s not true
I made a choice, Babe
I made it true
 
I'm fine I'm
Just looking at you
It’s not my truth, Babe
It’s not my truth
 
Don't waste time
Don't you wanna roll the dice?
I've been caught in the divide
I'll never be sure
 
Don't waste time
Caught, stuck on which one’s right
Caught in the divide
I'll never be sure