My college-age daughter would insist that I tell you her very favorite artist’s name is pronounced “con”. Came for the music, stayed for the life lesson about failure and redemption. Thanks for that.
I wrote this initially as a reply to someone else in these comments but I thought I’d just make this a separate comment because I LOVE the lyrical layers this song has and how, the more you listen, you more the story can shift. Here’s the initial reply I wrote about the story being told here. Strap in, it’s a long one 😅: At first listen, it sounds like the person drove drunk but with the further context of Noah’s character being in the crash as well “you just asked me to hold you”, and ESPECIALLY the repeated and emphasized lyric “You didn’t put those bones in the ground”, actually suggests that this was simply a tragic car crash that was the fault of no one. However, while there were multiple casualties in the other car (“graves” is used more than once, instead of the singular “grave”), Noah’s loved one came out completely unscathed (“not one knick on your finger….it filled you with anger”). They couldn’t handle the survivor’s guilt, nor could they understand how Noah’s character could go through the same thing and just sort of…carry on. This person’s entire world is shattered, changed, upside down, and everyone else…the whole world around them is just going on as normal. Thus, they started drinking. Noah actually said that this song was an exploration of how two people can go through the same trauma but react to it in completely different ways. So yeah, on first listen, I thought the crash was caused by drunk driving, with the further context clues, especially the line “You didn’t put those bones in the ground”, I now believe the person turned to alcohol to cope with the trauma of the crash and their survivor’s guilt. Because, really, had they been drunk driving, they absolutely would have been responsible for putting those bones in the ground. Sorry for the essay. I just find this song heartbreaking AND lyrically super interesting. In fact, there’s even more levels to the lyrics I could go into (like the potential apathy Noah’s character had for the other character’s trauma “I didn’t ask to think where you’d gone” and even the resentment that Noah’s character feels towards the other for seemingly getting their life together “Now I come third in line to your lord and your saviour”, “Are we all just crows to you now? Are we all just dragging you down?” but this reply is long enough. 😂 All in all, a truly heartbreaking and remarkably nuanced song about the effects of trauma and how differently it can affect people.
@@emmavink Interesting theory! I’d love to hear more about how you came to this conclusion because I’ve never heard this particular theory before and this song has so many layers that I’d love to see if I missed some. ☺
@@meghangerhart643 so I thought I had read that Noah had specifically said that it was about a collision involving drunk driving. But I went to check his comments again and I see he just refers to a tragic accident. However, I don't think I would necessarily change this interpretation based on potential context clues from the lyrics. I think the overall reason I feel like some sort of drunk driving is involved is that I am from a university town that I imaginary has the same kinds of problems with widespread alcohol abuse as Kahan is describing. The fact that the protagonist tells his friend, "you didn't put those bones in the ground" suggests that someone did. It wasn't just a faultless accident. Together with the consideration that one car was driving so recklessly that multiple passengers were hurt, when no one in the friend and protagonist's car got so much as a scratch, again suggests to me that the other driver was under the influence... Or at least seriously speeding or impaired in some other way. In my mind, I'm suspicious that the friend's extreme anger seems to be directed at the protagonist. The friend accuses him of not changing even when everything around him (their town, the world, etc) but the protagonist was able to just carry on. Clearly the protagonist was in the car driving with the friend when the accident happened (our accident in '02, you just asked me to hold you). It makes me wonder if the friend was the designated driver for the night. When the friend accuses the protagonist of not changing... To me that signals the protagonist's own toxic relationship to alcohol. Clearly ending up face down on someone's lawn after a party signifies serious binge-drinking. This then made me stop and think about what kind of contact or party the protagonist is asking him to. It seems like a sweet idea and like a sweet suggestion on the face of it... But it's actually supremely messed up. The protagonist is asking his alcoholic friend to the kind of party where the only non-alcoholic beverage to be found is orange juice... Meant for the children. And he's trying to reassure the friend that by this point in the evening, the party's gone "slower"... Needing to assure the friend that no one will tempt them indicates that at least before in their past, peer pressure around alcohol was a large feature in how they socialised. That doesn't even sound the kind of party where kids should be around those adults. Let alone a recovering alcoholic. The protagonist's question, "are we all just crows to you know" suggests that they might be reminders of death and that person's trauma. And that continuing to only party where booze is the only beverage and at least some of the people will probably still be needing to drive home afterwards is just too much for the friend to deal with. I also wonder if the referencing to the friend now having found God and that their life has completely changed where they moved away to is a suggestion that the friend no longer hangs out in places or with people where heavy drinking is the norm? Maybe all of these are stretches... But the number of quite specific suggestive lyrics and my own experiences with this kind of drinking culture really make me think that this is the most likely scenario. What do you think?
@@emmavink This is completely fascinating! I definitely picked up on the resentfulness and apathy of the friend inviting his longtime friend of 20 years to a party that has alcohol (and his friend is only 6 months sober). The fact that he didn’t even think to pick up a non-alcoholic beverage for his friend but “Oh! You can have the orange juice we bought for the kids!” It’s so dismissive and makes his friend seem like an afterthought. So we definitely both picked up on those weird bitter vibes from the friend who hasn’t changed. The rest of what you said is so well thought out! I think this is another incredible interpretation and I don’t think you made any stretches at all. Thanks so much for taking the time to write it out! It’s really given me more to think about when listening to this song. It also shows even more how well written and told this story is that there are so many interpretations that could make sense but the deeper you dive down, the more nuanced and complex it is. I also love that people’s different experiences and perspectives can greatly influence how a song is interpreted. I love your theory (I mean, it’s super sad but I love that you pieced it all together and it makes perfect sense). I think it’s just as possible as the other top theories out there. You’ve convinced me. 👍 Thanks again! Take care. ❤❤❤
Super important part of the story as well, he mentions a Crash and graves. It would seem that the person he was talking to drove drunk and killed people in a crash, which is what pushed them to become sober. Noah and his friends (or at least the person singing the song) doesn't change after the crash, which makes the person who became sober extremely angry. Essentially asking "how could you go through that and not change or not hate yourself?" and Noah is telling them that it wasn't their fault and they need to move on and forgive themselves. Super heartwrenching story
At first listen, it sounds like the person drove drunk but with the further context of Noah’s character being in the crash as well “you just asked me to hold you”, and ESPECIALLY the repeated and emphasized lyric “You didn’t put those bones in the ground”, actually suggests that this was simply a tragic car crash that was the fault of no one. However, while there were multiple casualties in the other car (“graves” is used more than once, instead of the singular “grave”), Noah’s loved one came out completely unscathed (“not one Knick on your finger….it filled you with anger”). They couldn’t handle the survivor’s guilt, nor could they understand how Noah’s character could go through the same thing and just sort of…carry on. This person’s entire world is shattered, changed, upside down, and everyone else…the whole world around them is just going on as normal. Thus, they started drinking. Noah actually said that this song was an exploration of how two people can go through the same trauma but react to it in completely different ways. So yeah, on first listen, I thought the crash was caused by drunk driving, with the further context clues, especially the line “You didn’t put those bones in the ground”, I now believe the person turned to alcohol to cope with the trauma of the crash and their survivor’s guilt. Because, really, had they been drunk driving, they absolutely would have been responsible for putting those bones in the ground. Sorry for the essay. I just find this song heartbreaking AND lyrically super interesting. In fact, there’s even more levels to the lyrics I could go into (like the potential apathy Noah’s character had for the other character’s trauma “I didn’t ask to think where you’d gone” and even the resentment that Noah’s character feels towards the other for seemingly getting their life together “Now I come third in line to your lord and your saviour”, “Are we all just crows to you now? Are we all just dragging you down?” but this reply is long enough. 😂 All in all, a truly heartbreaking and remarkably nuanced song about the effects of trauma and how differently it can affect people.
@@meghangerhart643yep. Spot on. The reference to "back in '02" also suggests time passing and how there's been time for their paths to diverge. The survivors guilt makes me think of a situation in my hometown where a bunch of kids were in a car crash, multiple died and the weight that teen driver was left with must have been crushing. This song is so real when you have some context like that to tie it to. I also love how you can pick out the voices of the two characters by the tempo and backing music. I usually prefer acoustic versions, but the production on the studio album takes this song to another level.
The ascending and descending Meeting in the middle like you showed is so simple but it’s blowing my mind. This is why your show is successful. Thank you so much.
Ben Howard is a big influence for Noah Kahan, You should definetely check Ben Howard out. I suggest you give 'End Of The Affair' Live at Jools Holland a listen or if you want a more recent song the Live studio performance of 'Spirit' is the one to go
Thisss some unbelievable mixes and picked acoustic and song writing. Ben Howard will be appreciated some day but hasn’t been yet. Timeless and talented.
Michael - you should really change the title of this video to "Guitar Teacher hears Noah Kahan for the first time" or something. he is huge and you might really blow up on this video
Ahhh absolutely love Noah!!! Incredible singer/songwriter. Listening through the deluxe version of stick season is a must!!! It's legit a no skip deluxe album. BTW his Northern Attitude with Hozier is incredible. Thanks for checking this out and for sharing your story. This is the beauty of music, really. Those life lessons that you weave into the reactions is a true gift! Thanks for sharing that with us.
You have to react both of the new WILLOW songs that dropped recently. I think you'd really enjoy them and be quite surprised by the music she has been putting out recently
I need you to listen to the kendrick lamar album TPAB - To Pimp A Butterfly. I absolutely love all types of music especially funk, hip hop, and metal but kendrick is my favorite artist of all time, and TPAB is my favorite album of all time and i would loved if you reacted to the whole album or atleast a few more songs!!
Michael you need to react to Roy Clark “Malagueña “.. it will blow your mind! One of the best musicians ever imo.. great reactions! Give Roy a try, there is a clip of him playing this song in front of a live audience on the old tv show, Odd Couple.. you won’t be disappointed I assure you. Thanks!
You know I love the vids Big Mike. My girl showed me this song when we first got together and I still get chills every time I listen to it. Not my style but beautifully haunting song. Thank you Michael. Love listening to you dissect all the songs I like!
Yo Michael, Marc Scibilia "More to This" Appalachian Untold channel, Ya Welcome for the returned favor after you shared Charles Wesley Godwin few years ago titled "You're Welcome "
It is, isn't it? I'm from VT and it seems everybody is talking about Noah, but I really haven't listened to him much; this was a really cool tune, though, and I'm glad I heard it today!
New subscriber here, love the video been going through a lot of your videos. You should watch JJ Grey Mofro Sun is Shining down sometime. Insanely good guitar solo you probably would enjoy
I don't think that's where this song is going. I think this song is saying that sometimes it's destructive behaviour (ie normalised binge drinking) or a refusal to change on the friends or family's side that is the biggest threat to an addict's sobriety. The addicted friend is trying to tell Noah and their mutual friends from their hometown that they are the thing that triggers them. They are basically saying that they can't get well if they stay in their hometown or keep hanging out with them.
I don't think that's where this song is going. I think this song is saying that sometimes it's destructive behaviour (ie normalised binge drinking) or a refusal to change on the friends or family's side that is the biggest threat to an addict's sobriety. The addicted friend is trying to tell Noah and their mutual friends from their hometown that they are the thing that triggers them. They are basically saying that they can't get well if they stay in their hometown or keep hanging out with them.
What a great song! I love your musical and lyrical interpretation of it as always! You should really check out "Best For Me" by Joyner Lucas Ft. Jelly Roll , incredible lyrics regarding addiction, its right up this alley!
As always, great analysis and reaction, Michael. Sometimes I feel that some guitarists get a little weary and go through the motions, which I get when playing more structured compositions. I played mostly jazz on my sax, so that rarely came into play when you are strictly playing what you feel in those blank 32 bars on paper. I was wondering if you could do a breakdown of a guitarist and his band where they are all just smiling, enjoying the moment and sharing it with the audience. It is: Dire Straits "Sultans Of Swing" - Alchemy Live video. This is by far the longest, wildest, but yet complex with dynamic version I have ever heard or seen of this song. I was 13 when the studio album came out, and of course radio stations loathed to play it due to length. I think you will really enjoy the musicianship by the entire band. thanks!
Dude, I know you probably won't see this comment but I think you'd enjoy Holly Williams' song "Waiting on June" for the lyrical content and the power of her voice. And....she's the Granddaughter of Hank Williams. So there's that.
I was watching back on your older videos of you reacting to kendrick and i heavily suggest you listen to something else because i love the way you break the videos down. Your reactions seem really genuine. Just a thought. Maybe listen to alrighy it has incredible production
I really enjoy your videos and I am a huge fan of the jam band genre- Dead, Phish, Goose… but… my college age daughter also introduced me to Noah Kahn and I think that his album, Stick Season is one of the best albums I’ve heard in a long time.
The album from which this comes is in my opinion the best concept album since Sgt Pepper and I bought that album the week it was released. thanks for covering this one. peace
Thanks for the reaction and the personal note, Michael, great stuf as always! I live in VT but havent given Noah Kahan much of a chance, honestly, but I will have to check more of his stuff out after hearing this song. Great lyrics and a pretty interesting song.
ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-E0YAbaIqa7U.htmlsi=liCwLUpAlizOTJg1 Thie song needs to be heard. I know this community will appreciate this masterpiece. As a parent, he captured the essence of staring at your child with wonderment, while the grown up in you can't help but think about the future-- fears, hopes, and the inevitability of you having to leave them with your lessons, laughs, and memories. It really puts the significance of the present in perspective.
Hey there again ;) Thank you for another gem! I dont know if you listend to her already, but give it a shot -> Lauren Spencer Smith Performs 'Flowers' For MTV | MTV Push
@-Michael_Palmisano. Tapping on the glass is a really fun one with cool arrangements that has a very 90’s feel. You’ve reignited my songwriter drive, so thanks for that, also in the meantime I discovered your channel and your video of Still Feel Gone - my go-to song to harmonize and do runs in the shower. Sorry for the initial comment fueled by the geeky enthusiasm of stumbling upon your vids that didn’t acknowledge the actual content of this one and presumed you might not know Joey Landreth or the Landreth brothers - hope you didnt feel insulted.
I've been (beyond) thoroughly enjoying your reviews and benefiting from your approach to analysis/dissection - amazing stuff and I can't tell you how much I appreciate the positivity and humility! One completely unnecessary side note here: in this video you kind of look like a younger Tucker Carlson.. hadn't crossed my mind until now haha weird comment I know
