When I first heard this song, I immediately thought that it would sound amazing on the beach. So I got in my car, drove to the beach, and put it on again. As I suspected, the added visuals took the listening experience to another level. “There For You” is the type of song you would expect to hear as you walk out of a surf shop. The sun is shining, the waves are crashing, and there’s a man sitting on the boardwalk serenading and playing his guitar. Cue Quinton Brock and his perfect mix of indie rock and hints of R&B.
I can’t decide if I want to call the song energetic or mellow. The guitar work keeps the vibe beachy and relaxing, but the drums give it an upbeat edge. The natural-sounding vocals make the song feel personable and I’m sure it would sound even better performed live. It’s masterfully produced and balances both energies very well. “There For You” is a fun, light-hearted reminder that Brock is, in fact, there for you. He is loving and reassuring in the way that he communicates his message, coming off as genuinely concerned but in a non-intrusive way. A closer look into the lyrics reveals how he is able to pull this off.
“Look, you’re tough / But sometimes it’s not enough”
As writers, we are constantly reminded to capture our readers’ attention quickly and work hard to keep it. Song writing is no different, and Brock’s knowledge of this is demonstrated through his music. This song really captures your attention with this first line, and the timing of the delivery adds to the effect. The brief pause after “Look you’re tough” gives the listener just enough time to think, “Hey, maybe I am tough.” Then shortly after, the second part of the line makes you question the conclusion you just came to. I don’t know about you, but I wanted to keep listening to see what the artist was getting at.
“You’re a hero on your own / I’m just making sure you know / That I’m there for you”
“There For You” was written with respect and a very clear intention. It challenges the stereotype of the lover in distress and the assumption that your lover always needs saving. On the contrary, Brock builds his lover up and reminds them that they are already a bad ass, but he’s there to jump in if he’s needed. Brock doesn’t want to be too pushy, but wants to make sure his intentions are known.
The song ends softly, with the artist’s vocals slowly fading. In a tweet to fans, Brock revealed the song is about a past lover and “fades out in the end the same way love sometimes fades away.” A full-circle ending to a well-thought-out story.
