Often, when people reflect on “soul” music, they see someone, hear something specific. They hear big scale music or instrumentation, trumpets, saxophones, piano, something with gospel roots and a lot of rhythm. They see Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye. These songs and people were larger than life, and most definitely fit the mold for “soul”.
But I believe, with the passing of time and the evolution of musical trends, “soul” has taken on a whole new life that strays further away from the musical elements. I think of it as more of a feeling that the music produces, rather than a genre. If a singer or a song makes me feel something deep – if it shakes me just by the way it sounds or the way the words are sung – that’s soul. The song has soul.
And that’s what I think Farewell Company has on “Gulf Breeze Motel”, the last track off their newest LP.
Farewell Company is a six member indie rock band formed in Nashville, TN. It all began in 2017 when a couple of friends and family members decided to come together musically and create a new project. That project ended up being Waiting On Anything, their first album. The whole album was recorded on old school analog tape in just three days at a local studio. Their band continued to expand after the making of this album with a horn section, instrumentation very much emulating the classic soul style. Though they’re a rock band (and this song definitely qualifies), Colby Gardner’s (lead singer) voice and the musical elements on “Gulf Breeze Motel” create a mood and a feeling that absolutely screams “soul.”
The song begins with strong, cymbal-heavy drums, and then a bluesy guitar riff with a hint of twang. Another slide guitar hauntingly plays in the background. Gardner begins to sing with a rasp and tone similar to Ray Lamontagne, raw and sincere. Subtle harmonies come in every now and then; they’re barely there, but still add emphasis to the more emotional lyrics. Every guitar solo between sections holds a very catchy and unique riff; all are different, yet they tie the song together perfectly. The bridge is vulnerable. The music pulls back only for the chorus to crash and clatter in again, an intense drum banging. This folky song ultimately fades out to sounds of waves crashing on the shore. This ocean theme matches the title of the song “Gulf Breeze Motel”, which is an actual motel on an island off the state of Alabama. The listener can imagine some inspiration came from this place in regards to writing the song, but we may never know the full story.
I ain’t worried ‘bout tomorrow.
I’m high looking down at the water.
God blessed your soul last night –
coulda died.
He doesn’t waste time worrying about the future, but he’s grateful his lover’s future can continue on, past whatever happened last night.
Got a brand new day.
I know I feel the morning light.
Well, take your time.
No one’s waiting on you to change –
no one’s waiting on anything.
His lover got another chance, another day. He takes everything in: the water, the morning light. He feels it all and encourages her to do the same. There’s no rush or hurry for her to be better. There’s no pressure.
Gonna find a way to chase your dreams up to the moon.
Oh, we’re all here and all we want is you.
Hey Big Time, call your mama, tell the truth.
Her dreams are so big and bright, and she can fight for them all she wants, but he reminds her that all he and everyone else wants from her is just… her. They don’t need some big time star or trail blazer. She is enough.
I ain’t living right, I’m barely keeping the pace,
and I’m so far from you now, I know I’m gonna be late.
Well, take your time.
No one’s waiting on you to change –
no one’s waiting on anything.
This chorus, though it has a repetitive message, feels more like a reminder for himself than for his lover. He feels like he can barely keep up with his life or with her, so he needs to tell himself that there is no rush or hurry to be better or to change. There is no pressure.
Hey lover, hey baby,
I’m almost there, you know, I think I’ll make it.
There’s nothing you could or couldn’t do
to keep my love from you.
With all these miles to go, you know,
I’ll come see you when I get home.
Regardless of what she does or how far she makes it in life, he will go on loving her, even if he has to spend the rest of his life catching up to her. He promises to stay.
