My Sunday Song – “Neighborhood (Feat. Bear Rinehart)” by American Authors

For My Sunday Song #425, we are talking American Authors incredibly beautiful song “Neighborhoods”. The song is off their 2019 album ‘Seasons’ which was released on February 1 of that year. What drew me to the song was that it featured Bear Rinehart who is the lead singer of one of my favorite bands Needtobreathe. The song was written by an army of people Matthew Sanchez, Zachary Barnett, James Shelley, David Rublin who are all apart of the band as well as Scott Christopher Stevens and Gabriel Simon. There was a video for the song, but not sure if it was a single or not.

The song is about growing up and leaving the place where you grew up. The lyrics are very nostalgic and though the person is going off to try and find a better life, but the neighborhood is who they really are and makes them who they are today. Go out and explore the world, but never forget who you are or where you came from. Stay humble. The neighborhood will always be your home. It is really a great story and message that is delivered in those lyrics.

The song itself is a slowed down tempo, starts off with an acoustic guitar and lead singer, Zac Barnett, on the first verse. And what a voice it is. So emotive, so brilliant. Second verse is Bear and damn, this is why I love his vocals. Can he feel a song or what. Zac does most of the chorus with Bear on backings as well. It all sounds so slick and cool. Musically, a great tempo and I love the mandolin (I think) and they even have some whistling. The music feels like home and is as nostalgic feeling as those lyrics.

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Neighborhood (Feat. Bear Rinehart)” by American Authors”

My Sunday Song – “Long Time Coming” by Cheap Trick

For My Sunday Song #317, we are going to talk “Long Time Coming” by Cheap Trick. The song is off their 2017 album ‘We’re All Alright’ which I think is one of their best. It was the only single from the album and only hit #36 on the Mainstream Rock Chart but it is way better than that. A band that has been around for over 40 years comes along and delivers a song and album like this shows they still have a ton of gas in the tank. The song was written by Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander, Tom Petersson and producer Julian Raymond and it was released as a single on April 27, 2017.

This song was my first indication of the album sound, but I wasn’t prepared for this onslaught of greatness.  Billboard’s Gary Graff and Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen had this to say about the song…

“Long Time Coming,” a crunchy hard rocker driven by a Kinks-flavored riff, is a bit of a one-song tribute to Cheap Trick’s influential forebears. “It’s our interpretation of Slade and MC5 and AC/DC and Aerosmith — a lot of riffs that are reminiscent of the Move, but they’re not steals,” Nielsen says. “It’s just, like, all the bands we like.” The song also features a synthesizer underbelly that was a signature in “Surrender,” “Dream Police” and other Cheap Trick songs.

There is nothing I can say that will summarize better than Rick Nielsen does. It is full of that classic angst of early Cheap Trick with their influences laid out on their sleeves. It rocks out and is about as heavy as these guys get. And though they are 40 years in, you don’t know that based on this song. They sound, hungry and fresh as ever! And if you want to sound like The Kinks and AC/DC and mix the two together, sign me up.

Give the song a listen and let me know what you think. These guys are still going strong and seem to be getting better and better. Not too many old bands still excite me like these guys do!! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful and Happy Sunday!!

“Long Time Coming”

I’m in the middle of something
And it sure feels good
It makes me feel better
Do I look like a should?

Get me on the tour bus
Then put me on a plane
Take me to the city
Before I go insane

I can feel, I can think, I can show ya
What you want, what you need, get to know ya
I don’t care what they say all the time
Believe me, you’re gonna feel fine

It’s been a long time coming (long time coming)
It’s been a long time coming down (long time coming)
It’s been a long time coming (long time coming)
It’s been a long time coming down (long time coming)

Shake it, shake it, shake it
About to blow my mind
A real pole grinder
I leave my troubles behind

I can feel, I can think, I can show ya
What you want, what you need, get to know ya
I don’t care waht they say, I can tell all the time
Believe me, you’re gonna feel fine

It’s been a long time coming (long time coming)
It’s been a long time coming down (long time coming)
It’s been a long time coming (long time coming)
It’s been a long time coming down (long time coming)

I can feel, I can think, I can show ya
What you want, what you need, get to know ya
I don’t care what they tell all the time
Yeah, believe me, you’re gonna feel fine

It’s been a long time coming (long time coming)
It’s been a long time coming down (long time coming)
It’s been a long time coming (long time coming)
It’s been a long time coming down (long time coming)

Long time coming (long time coming)
Long time coming down (long time coming)
It’s been a long time coming (long time coming)
It’s been a long time coming down (long time coming)

It’s a long time!

Written by Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander, Tom Petersson and producer Julian Raymond