Tuesday, March 10, 2020

“Sometimes” by Kodaline – A Song Feature


     “Sometimes” is an invitation to relate to struggles with anxiety and is comforting in stressing that we all get lost sometimes. But the authenticity and relatability of the song from Kodaline stem from the acknowledgments that the lyrics do not claim to hold the answer and that the struggle is a solitary one. People can identify the contents in their anxiety-defense toolbox (listening to podcasts is a learning escape and reading books on meditation is helpful), but they should admit: “I just hope these words will help whoever's listening / If someone cares to listen in.”

     Steve Garrigan, the vocalist of Kodaline explained the origin of the song:
     “’Sometimes’ is a song I wrote while on tour in Asia last year. I had a really bad day dealing with my own anxiety issues and I let it get the better of me. I started writing the song in my hotel room to help me calm down, music has always helped me in that way. For me, it’s a song about accepting the bad days and trying to stay positive.”

     The serious subject matter of “Sometimes” is carried within a spirited vehicle. Particularly in the early portion of the Kodaline single, the melody is light and cheery. The press material includes a fitting description:
  The song starts as a sun-kissed acoustic folk groove before launching into the kind of anthemic, larger-than-life pop hook that the band have become renowned for. It also captures Kodaline’s rare gift for exploring a challenging topic within a song that feels both joyous and life-affirming. As the song admits, “We all get lost sometimes.”

     The members of Kodaline are Steve Garrigan (vocals, piano), Mark Prendergast (guitar), Jason Boland (bass), and Vinny May (drums). They are based in Dublin. In late May and early June, Kodaline will “take residence” at The Olympia Theatre in Dublin. The first six shows were quickly sold out, so two were added. This follows a successful 2019 in which Kodaline sold-out two 15,000-capacity shows at St. Anne’s Park before playing to another 60,000 at the Electric Picnic Festival. That festival reached an emotional crescendo when Cranberries' guitarist Noel Hogan joined Kodaline for “Zombie,” a tribute to the late Dolores O’Riordan (a portion of the tribute was captured by an attendee, and is embedded at the bottom of this post). Electric Picnic represented Kodaline going back to the beginning - their first arena show came when the Cranberries invited them to open a gig in Paris back in 2012.

      “Sometimes” by Kodaline




Lyrics of “Sometimes” by Kodaline
I'm not looking for an answer
I just hope these words will help whoever's listening
If someone cares to listen in

I've been up and down in life
Sure, every day’s a chance to fight
Forever wrestling
Trying to make amends again

But I break down and I lose control
The band don't care 'cause they had a good show
I won't cry 'cause I'm lucky I know

A restless heart and a beautiful soul
It really doesn't matter if I stay or go
It's hitting me hard but I'm lucky I know

All of my friends
Don't understand
Maybe I'm crazy
Maybe I'm blind
Maybe we all get lost sometimes
Sometimes

(Oh, oh, oh, oh oh)
(Oh, oh, oh, oh oh)

And every night when I'm alone
I put another podcast on
It helps me slip away
Keeps me learning everyday

Reading books on meditation
Fights away the hesitations
Hanging over me
Easing the anxiety

But I break down and I lose control
The band don't care 'cause they had a good show
I won't cry 'cause I'm lucky I know

A restless heart and a beautiful soul
It really doesn't matter if I stay or go
It's hitting me hard but I'm lucky I know

All of my friends
Don't understand
Maybe I'm crazy
Maybe I'm blind
Maybe we all get lost sometimes
Sometimes

(Oh, oh, oh, oh oh)
(Oh, oh, oh, oh oh)
(Oh, oh, oh, oh oh)
Maybe we all get lost sometimes (Oh, oh, oh, oh oh)

But I break down and I lose control
The band don't care 'cause they had a good show
I won't cry 'cause I'm lucky I know
'Cause I'm lucky I know

A restless heart and a beautiful soul
It really doesn't matter if I stay or go
It's hitting me hard but I'm taking it slow

All of my friends
Don't understand
Maybe I'm crazy
Going outta my mind
Maybe we all get lost sometimes
Sometimes

(Oh, oh, oh, oh oh)
But I break down and I lose control
The band don't care 'cause they had a good show
(Oh, oh, oh, oh oh)
I won't cry 'cause I'm lucky I know
'Cause I'm lucky I know

(Oh, oh, oh, oh oh)
A restless heart and a beautiful soul
It really doesn't matter if I stay or go
(Oh, oh, oh, oh oh)
It's hitting me hard but I'm taking it slow
All get lost sometimes

I'm not looking for an answer
I just hope these words will help
Whoever's listening
If someone cares to listen in

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