SINGLE REVIEW: BRIAN COLLINS - DIFFERENT WAYS OF DEALING
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
Ahead of his much anticipated return to these shores later this summer, comes the new single from Brian Collins, "Different Ways Of Dealing" which sees him looking at the varying ways that people react to loss whether it be a break up or losing someone that they love.
The brooding Tom Pettyish sounding opening verse lays out the initial premise that ( unless you marry your high school sweetheart ) that we're all likely to get dumped one way or another at some point in our life.
The opening verse makes a neat point, observing that there is no time limit on recovery from forced change, it takes as long as it takes, be it moments or years.
"We've all had a broken heart
At some point in our life
Some take years to heal
Some mend over night"
The crux of the song is contained in 2 quite differing choruses, the first one covers the laddish options of getting over things, by having a one night stand, drinking yourself into oblivion ( favoured by country songwriters across Nashville ad nauseam) or just packing it away, internalising it and forgetting about it.
"You might lose yourself in the heat of a one night stands
Or you can choose to drown in the drink that's in your hand
Maybe pack it up and leave it in all in the past
Yeah but in the end we all share the same feelings
It's just different ways of dealin’"
Musically the stand out part of each version are the two piano notes repeatedly picked out high in the mix, that just elevate things up to another level. In themselves they may seem unimportant but they are the musical equivalent of the touch of red in Turner's "Helvoetsluys" , that make the composition complete.
There are definitely words of wisdom to be gleaned though throughout
"It may take a little time
To finally understand
That when you face goodbye
Sometimes you're blinded by the bad"
A lazy songwriter might have just let the first chorus ride, it was a catchy enough in itself, but not necessarily really offering any great new insight into the human condition, however Brian follows it up with a far most lyrically interesting second chorus.
"You might lay your head on the shoulder of a friend
You can let the tears roll down relive it all again
Maybe find the strength inside yourself to forgive
Yeah but in the end we all share the same feelings
It's just different ways of dealin'"
This second chorus again explores different ideas, highlighting other ways in which the recovery might happen - it opens the door to men being open with their feelings
The bridge once again reinforces that there is no time limit - it will take however long it takes.
"It's all part of life and love
It's whatever works for us"
Brian Collins will be at Country Calling August 14th-16th Chelmsford
