“Things Are Different” by Picture This – A Song Feature

     The pandemic and the resulting sheltering in place have been the motivation behind many singles and playlists. Enter “shelter in place” into the search field of Spotify and the search results of playlists seem endless. Despite the heavy competition, last week marked a change at the top of our favorite COVID-inspired songs. The change occurred when Picture This released “Things Are Different.”
 
     The lyrics establish one draw to “Things Are Different.” The lyrics, which are a mix of harsh reality and positivity, are at the bottom of this post. The mix is clearest in the lines “Some will take their last breath / While others breathe new life.” Are the following lines a slightly veiled reference to George Floyd’s knee-on-throat death in Minnesota - “And though they’re standing on our necks / We’ve still the will the fight.” The band’s explanation of the song will follow.
 
     Ultimately, the lyrics are encouraging. It makes sense that the song is upbeat and energizing. The press materials include the apt description: “Cinematic synths coast over rapturous guitars and a stadium-size beat. Everything culminates with an affirmation appropriate for the moment on the chorus, ‘Just cause things are different don’t mean anything has changed.’”
 
     For many listeners of “Things Are Different,” the vocals are the most powerful draw. The songs of Picture This are characterized by the resonance in the lead vocals of Ryan Hennessey (guitar), and the strength of the backing vocals of Jimmy Rainsford (percussion), Owen Cardiff (lead guitar), and Cliff Deane (bass). The power of the vocals is on full display during a brief a cappella sector around the 1:13 mark. That sector without instruments stands out, since it is sandwiched between percussion-heavy sectors.
 
     In explaining the song, Ryan Hennessy said:
  “‘Things Are Different’ is a song that I may never have written if it wasn’t for the chaos that was going on in the world around me. Normally I write love songs about people who have been in my life and who I have been in relationships with and this too is a love song. However, this time it is a love song to the world.
   A lot of things are different in the world we live in right now but what will never change no matter what the circumstances are our morals, our passions, our beliefs and who we are as people. We now as a civilization have to pick up where we left off and step into a new world with love and compassion in our hearts, both for ourselves and for those around us.”
 
     “Things Are Different” by Picture This

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BandPictureThis
Website: www.picturethismusic.com/

Lyrics of “Things Are Different” by Picture This
Some of us will drift apart
While others stay together
Some will step in from the rain
While others face the weather
Some will take their last breath
While others breathe new life
And though they’re standing on our necks
We’ve still the will the fight
 
Just cause things are different
Don’t mean anything has changed
And I know the world’s on fire
But there’s beauty in the flame
And we don’t know how much longer
But we know we’re gonna come back stronger
Just cause things are different
Don’t mean anything, anything has changed
 
Some of us will lose ourselves
While others rediscover
That love is in the innocence
A baby to its mother
And some will grasp it in their hands
While others lose control
Yeah we’ve gotta leave our fingerprints
So that the future know
 
Just cause things are different
Don’t mean anything has changed
And I know the worlds on fire
But there’s beauty in the flame
And we don’t know how much longer
But we know we’re gonna come back stronger
Just cause things are different
Don’t mean anything, anything has changed
 
I’ll be the light
If you follow me I will be everything, you need
I’ll be the leader
If you want it I promise that I will set you free
 
Just cause things are different
Don’t mean anything has changed
And though the world’s on fire
There’s a beauty in the flame
And we don’t know how much longer
But we know we’re gonna come back stronger
Just cause things are different
Don’t mean anything, anything has changed
 
I’ll be the light
If you follow me I will be everything you need
I’ll be the leader
If you want it I promise that I will set you free
[Repeat]