This week Brad (A.K.A. Mercury Teardrop) steps in as Charles Connolly takes a few days of well deserved vacation time.
๐๐ฃ๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ – ๐พ๐๐๐ง๐ก๐๐จ ๐พ๐ค๐ฃ๐ฃ๐ค๐ก๐ก๐ฎ
Brad does his bit…
First, important business to get done right out of the gate. Iโm stepping in for Mr. Charles Connolly this week who is on vacation and deserves our birthday wishes as he crests the gnarly knoll that is the big โ40โ. For those of us that have been there, our advice to Charles is certainly welcomed in the comments of this post. My permission to not hold backโฆ now, letโs get into it, shall we?
Ah, the musical pilgrimage of a songwriterโwhere every note is a homage to those who shaped our sonic landscape. It’s as if the essence of each decade finds its way into our very being, resonating with the cosmic rhythm of human existence itselfโฆ Ok, a bit of a cheesy starting point, but hear me outโฆ. As I listen on repeat to โInspirationโ, there are many neurons firing that are lighting up the special parts of my brain only reserved for the finest sonic tapestriesโฆ ok, itโs a fab song, but letโs go back in time a bit firstโฆ
In all seriousness, I did have the distinct privilege of growing up in the 70s and 80s when there were so many musical innovators creating some of the best music of our modern age to date. If you are like me, you look up to those icons who were (or are) the best songwriters of our generations and learn everything you can from them. Now, full disclosure here, for me growing up, it wasn’t at all about mainstream popโit was about diving deep into the obscure, the unconventional, the avant-garde. As a teen attending High School in the early 80s, I chose The Cramps over Madonna, The Cure over Michael Jackson, and Bauhaus over Bananarama (yes, there was actually a band called Bananarama). In 1983 it was somewhat acceptable, but mostly just cool to โlet yer freak-flag flyโ, and music, clothing and outrageous hair were key variables in the social equation to express yourself and find like-minded friends. It was a time when being different was celebrated, where music and self-expression intertwined seamlessly; Or at least it did for me. Damn, I miss the 80s!
During these years, music was my constant companionโa soundtrack to life itself. From browsing record stores to immersing myself in the electric, intoxicating atmosphere of concerts, every moment was infused with the magic of sound. And who could forget the mixtapes, meticulously curated to enhance every experience and mood. I had a mixtape for every occasion, even โHouseworkโ. That one I remember loading up with Sex Pistols, DOA, Dead Kennedys and other punk, just to drive my parents nuts!). Regardless of the occasion, there was a mixtape for it; It was a social and cultural way to identify. However, there were some songs and bands I loved, that, given my peers’ music snobbery, were considered ultra-lame. Despite the teenage social doctrine of ‘coolness,’ there were always those forbidden tracksโthe pop hits or the classicsโthat were off limits for goths, punks and new-romantics. Therefore, to stay โcoolโ, I often had to feign less enthusiasm for albums like Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Dark Side of the Moon, and Houses of the Holly, and keep my love of these records from my youth to myself. I firmly admit to secretly loving Abba songs, but never having the confidence to openly admit itโฆ silly adolescent brain!
Looking back, I share snippets of my formative experiences with music because they matter. Each of us is shaped by our individual relationship with music in our own unique way. My personal experiences made me evolve into a person today that deeply loves music and appreciates a good song, no matter the genre or โcool factorโโฆ and like Prince, The Ramones, Elton John, or Tears for Fears, recognizing the common thread that ties all good songs together is simple: it is excellent song writing combined with a moving performance. The master songwritersโ ability to craft melodies and lyrics that resonate deeply with audiences is what sets them apart as legends. We, as aspiring creators, find sparks of inspiration in their work, striving to learn even a fraction from their genius and infuse our own art with the same level of passion and creativity. I truly believe as humans we are all connected through the energy of life, and music is one of the ways we all share in this energy. We have likely all experienced how music can move us to tears, make us scream with excitement, and even thrash around at times. Music is a whole body-mind experience that, in itself, is inspiring. Does music inspire life, or does life inspire music? Or both?
I sometimes think of the song writing process as โthinking in soundโ. If this is the case, what was Mr. Charles Connolly โthinkingโ when he wrote “Inspiration”? At first listen, this is a track that combines so many sonic elements with impressive song construction. Upon repeat listening, the meticulous details of the recording creep into every corner of the headphones. From the first haunting notes, Charlesโ meticulous attention to detail is evident, crafting a soundscape that envelops listeners in a sweet โcandy-wrapperโ of lush musical textures combined with a timeless vocal performance. The production quality is simply top-notch, with intricate layers of instrumentation that create a fully immersive experienceโmaking it essential to grab your Hi-Fi headphones and sink into the depths of the songโs meandering embrace. On this ride, the listener feels darkness and light, moves fast and slow, dreams big and small, breathes in and out, and falls up and down. โInspirationโ is a movement that beautifully depicts the ubiquitous and ephemeral nature of the things that provide inspiration in our lives. Iโm not sure at all if Charles intended the song to be existential, but I feel there is a tension in the lyrics between desperation and possibility. As the score moves from minor to major, so does the sense of possibility move to the forefront – a stunning pairing of the music aligning so perfectly with the spirit of the song. I believe few artists can truly capture this emotional milieu without overthinking or coming across as clichรฉ. Charles does this so well. Each line of the lyrics feels like a profound introspection, offering poignant insights into the complexities of our thoughts and feelings, and the relentless pursuit of one’s deepest dreams โ there is a tension there and the listener feels it. While the general theme of inspiration may seem commonplace and redundant, Charles infuses it with such authenticity and sincerity that it feels utterly revitalised in the context of this song.
On the musical and production side of the equation, the track sounds great. Iโm never sure of Charlesโ true inspirations, but given his vintage, Iโm convinced he was brought up on a good diet of 80โs and 90โs pop. When I say our collective influences in our formative years make up our musical DNA, what I really mean is that the influences of those who inspire us today, have baked into them, the inspirations of past artists, tracing way back. There are memetics at play in how culture is influenced by music in every generation and, regardless of Charlesโ musical diet as a youngster, the lineage of influences of his heroes, intentionally or unintentionally, comes through on this track. When I listen, I hear the influence of George Michael, Michael McDonald (Doobie Bros.), Kate Bush (brilliant), Supertramp, 10CC, Hall and Oats, Steely Dan, and many more. This song is completely original and so familiar at the same time. Andโฆ Charles, that should be taken as a compliment.
And, as you, Charles, crest the tsunami that is โ40โ, just know you have given the world a piece of yourself in this track that will undoubtedly inspire others. At the very least, it screams โPossibilityโโฆ and I love that!
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