A Little Bit of Everything, Dawes
Starting from the first solemn piano notes this track carries an emotional weight that any listener can relate to. I first heard it played by frontman Taylor Goldsmith by himself on an acoustic guitar in a YouTube video, so when I first heard the formal and almost military salute-style intro I saw the song in a completely different light. In some ways the idea of salute fits the song, as it pays tribute to three individuals who each face the crushing weight that builds up on all of us at times in our lives, occasionally leading to internal crises like these.
The first anecdote sets the grave tone with the story of a man about to commit suicide on the Golden Gate Bridge, explaining his motivation as a combination of all the little things that he just can’t take anymore. Its really heavy and serious, so much so that the first verse sometimes distracts me from listening to the rest of the lyrics. In the second vignette Goldsmith turns to a less extreme and more relateable scenario, as an elderly man is suddenly struck with nostalgia and regret while waiting in line for a buffet. As he wrestles with the missed opportunities of his life he finally finds a glorious little spark of ambition, symbolically asking for everything the way he regrets not doing earlier in life. While the things he ultimately recieves are limited to food (because he’s at a restaurant), the idea of just going for it and striving still fells very satisfying. At this point Taylor takes a very nice guitar solo, then turns to the third episode. The last part is the mushiest and most uplifting, as a bride-to-be explains to her future husband in detail why she’s so excited to be married, even in the face of stressful wedding planning. Its a beautiful explanation and ode to love.
I’ve just started listening to Dawes after seeing Taylor play with Middle Brother this summer, but he’s quickly becoming one of my favorite lyricists, and charming songs like this one are exactly why.
