We’re Okay by ghostbird
John Trent Hancock (Vocals/Guitar) & Mike Cooper (Drummer) make up the San Diego band ghostbird. Right now their Spotify monthly listeners sits at 140 making them a perfect candidate for our music recommendation list. In 2009 they released their self titled EP featuring 6 songs. Re-listening to this album for the first time in years I find myself enjoying it quite a bit… seriously go give it 1 listen, and I can’t imagine you won’t find something you like.
ghostbird is a good old fashion rock band who likes to have a little fun with some modern distortion. John Hancock has a strange, high pitched voice whenever he is really belting it out (FYI, I’m a sucker for a strange voice). Musically, their quick strum electrical guitar makes their melodies sound wonderfully hectic and assists in producing an overall sound that evokes feelings of melancholy.
You can really see this style of song composition in ‘We’re Okay.’ Everything about the melody and instruments is uncertain to begin with. The guitar leaves you in mystery and the snare hits are hesitant. The lyrics match. ghostbird really lets you dive into the thoughts of someone in a struggling relationship with question after question. “Where’s she gonna go?” Is she gonna stay?” “Is she on her way?” In the chorus you see the author search for possible conclusions and land on the best lifeline he can offer her. It’s not much, it’s not even optimistic, but it’s real: “We’re Okay.” John Hancock follows this prayer up with a brief moment of musical stability in the form of a bass solo (or maybe a distorted guitar?).
The second verse reverses the roles and asks the same questions of the man… then no more words. You are left hoping that they will cling to the promise “We’re Okay.”
The song ends with 90 seconds of instrumental. The music starts with a feeling of uncertainty and then builds to a confident crescendo and ends with a satisfied stinger. Although we never hear it from the lyrics I think we can surmise from the music that are holding on to the relationship. They have “realized that we’re okay.” An answered prayer.
Once again I will have to provide lyrics because I’m unable to find the lyrics on the interwebs
Where’s she gonna go?
I don’t really know.
What’s she gonna be?
If only I could see.
Is she gonna stay?
Is she on her way?
Is she gonna run?
What’s she hiding from?
You can break a man. You can take him by his hand.
You can break his heart, tear his chest apart.
But maybe you need is something to believe.
Oh, baby I just pray you start to realize that we’re okay.
Where’s he gonna go?
I don’t really know.
Where’s he gonna be?
Leave it up to me.
Is he gonna stay?
Is he on his way?
Is he gonna run?
What’s he hiding from?
See You can break a man. You can take him by his hand
so you can break his heart, tear his chest apart.
But maybe you need is something to believe.
Oh, baby I just pray you start to realize that we’re okay.
I hope you enjoyed this song and if you loved the album consider purchasing it directly from the John Hancock. As always I want to know what you think. Did you like the song? Do you agree or disagree with my interpretation of the ending? Leave a comment
SOURCES
- http://www.iamjohnhancock.com/about
- https://sundial.csun.edu/12160/news/indie-band-ghostbird-releases-mediocre-cd/