Category: My Sunday Song

My Sunday Song – “Don’t Bring That Trouble” by Needtobreathe

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic10 Comments

For My Sunday Song #167, we are playing “Don’t Bring That Trouble” by the band Needtobreathe.  The song is off their 2016 album ‘Hard Love’ which saw the band’s sound change a little adding a little more dance/pop elements without losing that signature Needtobreathe feel.

“Don’t Bring That Trouble” is the most rocking track on the record.  It has a great guitar riff opening and sound. The drum beats come banging in and though not real drums, the electronic beats pick up the pace of the song and drive in to a more rocking track than the rest of the album.  There is even a southern rock/country vibe thrown in with it as well.  Overall, it is pure fun and enjoyment and sometimes you need to let loose and let it fly and this does that.

Lyrically, there is not much substance like a lot of their songs I have featured.  The song is basically talking about how he is broken and he is trying to fix his life and problems and if you are coming along for the ride, don’t bring any trouble as he doesn’t want to deal with that anymore.  For me, it doesn’t matter as I want to crank it up and dance a little.  Sometimes, lack of substance is fine with me!!!

61MAliRujIL._SL1500_

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Don’t Bring That Trouble” by Needtobreathe” →

My Sunday Song – “Stones Under Rushing Water” by Needtobreathe

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic6 Comments

For My Sunday Song #166, we are discussing “Stones Under Rushing Water” by Needtobreathe.  The song is off their 2009 album “The Outsiders” and it shows the softer side of the band. The album was really the bands big break and ended up getting them noticed by Taylor Swift and the band opened for her on tour for a large number of shows.  I had found the band from the beginning so there growing success was no surprise to me.

The song is a really simple song lyrically.  It talks about how fast life passes us by and it will be gone before you know it.  He is telling you to slow things down, take it all in and cherish every moment.  It also seems to be about a relationship that has drifted apart and the spark has left them.  They need to stop long enough to remember what they had and find that spark again.  Either interpretation is right as you can make up your own mind on what it means to you.

Musically, the song is an acoustic track and one of the first duets the band has done.  Sara Watkins from the band Nickel Creek accompanies Bear Rinehart on vocals.  Her voice is so delicate and beautiful and compliments his vocals quite nicely.  She brings that extra layer of sadness and heartbreak to the song.  There is no guitar solo, but Bear does a harmonica solo that adds a whole new layer of melancholy to the song.  All in all, it is quite a beautifully sad song.

71uI5N7OlXL._SL1425_

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Stones Under Rushing Water” by Needtobreathe” →

My Sunday Song – “Maybe They’re on to Us” by Needtobreathe

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic4 Comments

For My Sunday Song #165, we are talking about the song “Maybe They’re On To Us” by Needtobreathe.  The song is off their wildly successful album “The Reckoning” which came out in 2011.  The song was not a single, but still a favorite of mine.  The album did really well and went to #6 on the Billboard charts thanks in part to this song and all the great songs on this album.

The song is about paranoia.  For the band, that paranoia is a wondering if the fans know too much about the them and will figure out who they really are and not like them.  Maybe the will stop listening and it will all just go away.  They were starting to get successful and they had a fear of it disappearing in a flash.  That is an honest fear.

I think people feel that way in everyday life as well.  You walk around in life wondering if people will realize you are just faking it trying to get by day-to-day.  Maybe they will discover you really don’t have your stuff together after-all…but honestly who really does?  I don’t think anyone.  We are all faking it a little each and every day.

Musically, I really love Bear’s vocals.  His delivery of the lyrics, his pacing and everything he sings is so purposely and perfectly placed.  There is a smooth, driving groove that takes you through the song.  Then throw in the backing vocals on the bridge/chorus that help give it that church-like/choir feel.

81NF-xh4B6L._SY355_-1

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Maybe They’re on to Us” by Needtobreathe” →

My Sunday Song – “Difference Maker” by Needtobreathe

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic4 Comments

For My Sunday Song # 164, we are talking about “Difference Maker” by Needtobreathe.  The song was the debut single off their album ‘Rivers in the Wasteland’ from 2014.  The song reached #16 on the Christian charts and might be one of the most powerful song they have ever written lyrically.

The song is best described by Bear Rinehart himself.  I found this on the Newreleasetoday.com website. It is an article written by Kevin Davis when he interviewed Bear about the song.  Bear states the following…

This song is my story of trying to understand my role in God’s plan. We were on tour with a secular artist, Taylor Swift, playing to 20,000 and even 50,000 people per night. We felt like we were doing what we were supposed to be doing. Despite our efforts, I didn’t feel like we were having the impact we are called to have.

I think God was asking us at this time, “What are you doing this for? Are you doing it for Me?” And, I think that’s where this song was birthed. That confusion is almost a good thing. The bridge says “I am on the fence about nearly everything I’ve seen.” I meant that in how the whole band was going through a “we surrender to God” kind of way.

We don’t need to be concerned about what happens after we’ve given up this gift we have to God. That was really powerful for us. We had ambition and let that take too much of a priority in things that led us down a road that wasn’t good. I think that in trying to re-prioritize, God wants us to sacrifice those things, those idols in our lives. Some idols for us were wondering what the outcome was going to be, that we had the upper hand or maybe we were the best band out there, or we thought we were the most clever at it.

I feel like the beginning of the song is us asking ourselves are we really difference makers. How valuable are we, really? Towards the end of the song it comes around that God makes us a part of what He does, which is so crazy. It starts with us realizing that we don’t get to make the rules. We don’t control it, and we don’t get to say what the timing is. It’s not because of our talents. He doesn’t need that. He needs our willing hearts.

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Difference Maker” by Needtobreathe” →

My Sunday Song – “The Outsiders” by Needtobreathe

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic5 Comments

For My Sunday Song #163, we are going to dive in to the title track from their 2009 album, ‘The Outsiders’.  The opening track to an album that went on to win a Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year.  At this point in their career, this was the best effort.

The song is about how the band feels with their place in the music industry.  Being from a small town in South Carolina with a very small music scene, the band never quite felt like they were fully accepted in to the music industry.  They feel like they are outsiders in a business they have been in for about 10 years at this point.  With that feeling of being an outsider also allows for a freedom.  A freedom to do whatever they want creatively and musically.  That freedom has led to some amazing songs (this one included).

The song opens with Bo picking on a banjo, then Bear comes in singing then some hand clapping and some good foot stomping beats.  The country style opening lends its way to a rock song with some southern flair which is something they do best.  They keep that Americana, folk feel in their sound and turn the song into an anthem for a whole generation of people that feel they are outsiders in whatever group they are in.  It is a rally to embrace it and accept it and take advantage of it at the same time.  Ironically, their fan club is actually called “The Insiders”.

71uI5N7OlXL._SY355_.jpg

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “The Outsiders” by Needtobreathe” →

My Sunday Song – “Washed by the Water” by Needtobreathe

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic7 Comments

For My Sunday Song #162, we are going to discuss “Washed by the Water” by Needtobreathe.  The song is off their 2007 album ‘The Heat’ and in 2009 it won the GMA Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year.

The story of the song is about an incident that happened to their dad at their church.  Their father was the preacher and apparently some gossip went around and things were said about him and his wife that in the end turned out to all be false. Their father held his ground and kept his integrity in tack during the whole process.  Bear and Bo were so impressed by their dad that it inspired this song.  It goes to show you that your kids are always watching you and they see how you act and that can be really impactful.

The song has this whole church, gospel vibe to it with the organ and keyboards.  At the same time, there is southern rock feel to the song.  I love that church vibe as it really emphasizes the story.  And let’s talk about the lyrics.  There aren’t a lot, but what is there is powerful.  The title alone of “Washed by the Water” is fantastic, but it is the following lines are the most impactful to me…

Even when Earth crumbles under my feet
Even when ones I love turn around and crucify me
I won’t never ever let you down
I won’t fall
I won’t fall
I won’t fall as long as you’re around me

Their dad showed them the importance of faith and standing up for what you believe no matter what the devil throws at you and it sounds like he threw a lot at them.  We are defined by our choices and our actions, pretty impressive in my book.

819pYFvybiL._SY355_.jpg

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Washed by the Water” by Needtobreathe” →

My Sunday Song – “Cops” by Needtobreathe

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic6 Comments

 

For My Sunday Song #161, we are now taking over with the next 10 songs coming from one of my favorite bands Needtobreathe. A rock band with a Southern Rock sound, folk, Americana, gospel all with a Christian background and some of the best songs I have ever heard.  I usually try to stick with the non-singles, but as I want more people to know this band, I won’t always stick with that philosophy…although this song is just that.  The song this week is called “Cops” and it is a B-Side for the song “Keep Your Eyes Open”. The song is also a bonus track on the LP version of the album ‘The Reckoning’ from 2011.  Yes, the LP has the bonus tracks!!

The song is one of the bands heaviest songs and completely rocks out.  The reason for that is the subject matter of the song. Needtobreathe has always been labeled a Christian band, but they are not.  They are a rock band that has a Christian upbringing and that subject matter bleeds in to the music from time to time.  But that is not their focus.  They don’t deny they are Christians, they just want to play music and have a good time…nothing wrong with that.

The song is about the Christian people that are trying to tie the band down as a Christian band.  The constant opinions about how they are disappointing God when they don’t sing about him and they should be out there spreading the word.  Sorry, they are a Rock band first and they are not apologizing for that.  The band likens this pressure to being chased by “Cops”…so there you have it.  I find it funny how Christians are supposed to be holier than thou, but yet they are the first to cast the stone and point the finger when they should be looking in to that mirror themselves.  Another problem I have with religion although I am a Christian, their hypocrisy is sickening at times.  Soapbox, getting down now.

81NF-xh4B6L._SY355_

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Cops” by Needtobreathe” →

My Sunday Song – “Die Hard the Hunter” by Def Leppard

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic13 Comments

For My Sunday Song #160 and the final in the Def Leppard series, I bring you “Die Hard the Hunter” from the multi-platinum album ‘Pyromania’.  The song was never released as a single; however, was played live back in the day.

The song opens with the sound of a helicopter and machine gun fire and is representative of war, the Vietnam War to be exact.  The song is about a war veteran who comes back from war, but can’t seem to let it go.  The battles the soldier faces being home as he can’t seem to stop fighting the battles and now they are in his mind.  The evils of war are following him everywhere and he is struggling to let go of the bad and find the good.  A common problem with soldiers then and even today.

What I love about the song is the seriousness of the music.  The heavy metal chords that are used give an impending feel of doom and gloom.  There is a darkness to the music, an eeriness, a sadness that captures the feelings the soldier is going through.  You can actually feel the heaviness of it all through the music.  It is quite fantastic how they captured that feeling musically.

Steve Clark’s solo on this is fantastic.  He has a really cool riff and along with Pete Willis’ rhythm guitar, the two made a great pair and helped deliver the sound that captured the essence of the song.  It was simple sounding, yet brilliant.  Not too flashy, but not understated either.  Joe delivers the vocals in a way to also help convey the emotions of the song.  Always has been one of my favorites on ‘Pyromania’.

il_570xN.1356487722_3gih.jpg

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Die Hard the Hunter” by Def Leppard” →

My Sunday Song – “Blind Faith” by Def Leppard

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic12 Comments

For My Sunday Song #159, I want to discuss the  song “Blind Faith” off the self-titled album Def Leppard from 2015.  The final song on the album and not a rocker, but not sure it is a ballad either.  The album has helped see a jump in popularity for the band as it is probably the best album they have done in about the last 20 years.  And for me, this song is part of the reason.

“Blind Faith” was written by Rick Savage and Joe Elliott and is a commentary on religion and cult-like faith groups.  I think I connected to it due to his viewpoints are similar to mine.  It is not that he doesn’t believe in God, it is not a knock on religion, it is more that sometimes organized religion is kind of futile.

Joe said this about the song in an interview with Claire Sturgess for Absolute Radio:

“We’ve always touched on the real side of life if you like. Mostly it’s in with relationship stuff but with this it was like just observation of the that humanity can be abused if you like. And I set out writing this thing and I just had this stream of consciousness. It just came pouring out of me but I made a very conscious effort to not be preachy and finger waggy about it. If you actually read the lyrics. And I did say to the guy when he was putting the artwork together. I want a question mark putting at the end because I want everybody to realise. I’m asking a question and I’m not telling you what’s going on. I’m asking is it really what’s going on?. You know. Make your own mind up. So in that – it is poking a little bit but it’s not preaching. I want the listener to make their own mind up as to whether you know what they’re hearing is representative of what they’re thinking as well because it’s certainly what a lot of people think.”

R-7661694-1446280969-1836.jpeg.jpg

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Blind Faith” by Def Leppard” →

My Sunday Song – “Getcha Rocks Off” by Def Leppard

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic7 Comments

For My Sunday Song #158, I bring to you “Getcha Rocks Off” from the band’s 1979 debut E.P. simply known as the Def Leppard E.P.  The song would go on to be re-recorded for the band’s debut full length album ‘On Through the Night’ but there it is known as “Rocks Off”.

What is cool about this song?  Well, everything actually.  It is as early Def Leppard as you can get.  It is raw, it is rough and it completely gets your rocks off…really!  The band sounds so young, so hungry and so damn good.  Steve Clark’s guitar riff instantly grabs hold of you and won’t let go.  And let’s talk about that solo.  Damn, Steve was immediately letting the world know that this band meant business.  There is a little back and forth on the guitars with Steve and Pete Willis and then Steve just tears into that solo with a blistering pace and so much fire and passion.  This is guitar rock at its best.

Another cool thing about this song is the drumming.  This is not Rick Allen on drums. This was before he joined the band.  The drummer on this is Frank Noon.  Frank  was a session drummer and wasn’t really a full member of the band.  He wasn’t the first drummer either as that was Tony Kenning, but he isn’t on this record so no more about him.  Frank did a great job and pounded the hell out of those drums.

81WmAjNjH+L._SS500_

Lyrically there isn’t much to the song.  It is a pure rock & roll song about a beautiful woman that comes to the dressing room door and is looking smoking hot.  She wants to get her rocks off.  When the band goes on stage the girl is in the front and she has lots of pretty friends, enough for every one in the band…funny how that works out.  This song is really great for the music, not the lyrical content for sure.

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Getcha Rocks Off” by Def Leppard” →