Wednesday December 29, 2021 ”Let Me Down Easy” Gang of Youths

Here’s a song for the Best of 2021 list by a band that was suggested to me by a song of the dayer.  Do I listen to you guys?  You bet I do.

Founded in 2012 in Australia, Gang of Youths, much like yesterday’s band Texas, are a phenomenon internationally, just not here in the US, yet.  And here’s a song with a great guitar hook and some smart and interesting lyrics which include ‘I got solipsism, baby, …” and “to be oddly and boldly estranged…’ or ‘dismembering our state of balance…” none of which I suspect you are not likely to hear in any other song.

 The band is fronted by singer/songwriter Dave Le'aupepe who looks, sounds and moves like he has graduated magna cum laude from the university of rock star lead singers. Their second album, Go Farther In Lightness, debuted at number one in Australia on the ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Assoc.) Albums Chart in August 2017 and was nominated for eight awards at the ARIA Music Awards of 2017, winning four: Album Of The Year, Best Group, Best Rock Album and Producer of the Year.

 So 2021 may be the beginning of a strong US presence for this interesting new-to-us band, or maybe not.  Who can really predict, certainly not me.  I thought that the band Agents of Good Roots were going to be the next big thing.  Who?  Exactly.

 Stay safe and well…and perhaps as Dave Le’aupepe suggests when things get tough ‘just put on some Whitesnake.’

 Just in case, lke me, you didn’t know, solipsism is the view or theory that the self is all that can be known to exist.

You want someone who wants you for who you are

I want someone to try, then let me down easy, easy tonight

Easy, easy tonight

Honey, it's no secret that with matters of the heart

Unreserved, I'm irrational and rarely ever start

But since the world's dark and often inhumane

Relish our condition, come drinking in the rain

'Cause you remember when, after Paris

We all decided the best way to fight it was

Drink wine, dance here and pray

And make love that lasts with a vengeance

So you can join the cowards all aboard the outrage train

You can stay afraid, or slit the throat of fear and be brave

And scratch the little itch

'Til you're moving like a motherfucker up in this bitch

 You wanted to fight for a cause

Then go out and fall in love

Don't stop, don't stop believing

In truth and grace in the grievance

You want someone who wants you for who you are

I want someone to try, or let me down easy, easy tonight

Easy, easy tonight

 So look at me and tell me what I already know

That I tried and I failed and it's good to let it go

Sometimes life sucks, everything is lame

Not everything's as easy as making lemonade

And so dismembering our state of balance

With lust requited, a gaze undivided

With a cool mind and warmth in your face

A good heart, a grace under pressure

You give me a good reason to be heartsick again

To be here, to be strong, to be oddly and boldly estranged

From the loss and bitter years

I found myself descending into tedium and fear

 You wanted to fight for a cause

Then go out and fall in love

Don't stop, don't stop believing

In truth and grace in the grievance

You want someone who wants you for who you are

I want someone to try, then let me down easy, easy tonight

Easy, easy tonight

 If it's late, you're drunk and wanting

A reason, some reason to live

I always, I always say

Just put on some Whitesnake

 Honey, it's no secret that I've been losing my way

In the weirdest of moments and the stupidest of ways

But hey, I'm still young and it's gonna be okay

I got solipsism, baby, and I brought lemonade

I'll surrender then, all my balance

And be excited and drink to tonight

It's not a, a bad time, time spent with you

There's cool lights and songs with good lyrics

We never have to talk again, whatever, up to you

But since you're putting up with me

Here's another toast just to you

Let's dance, off the beat

Then mosey out together and say goodbye on the street

 You wanted to fight for a cause

Then go out and love someone

Don't stop, don't stop believing

In truth and personal freedom

I want someone to want me for who I am

I want someone to try, or let me down easy, easy tonight

Easy, easy tonight

 Easy, easy tonight

Easy, easy tonight

Easy, easy tonight

Easy, easy tonight