Music of the Day, 14 July 2024

the words were never plain

Today’s MotD came to me via my YouTube recommendations. I saw an album cover that prompted a lyric to rise from the depths of my memories. Listening to it for the first time in decades, I was treated to a master class in songcraft.

The snippet of the chorus that I remembered from “Strange Way” did not prepare me for the luscious music behind Rick Roberts’ powerful vocals (he also plays rhythm acoustic guitar). I’d also forgotten the flute! I’m crediting that with triggering my memory, and will return to it in a moment.

“Strange Way” is from Firefall’s third and most successful studio album, Élan. What an interesting lead track—after hearing it, I revisited some of the band’s earlier hits, and they’re soft country-rock ballads. Perhaps the placement was a signal to fans of a change in tone for the album.¹

The brooding opening chords and David Muse’s flute melody² of “Strange Way” really set the mood for the lyrics to come. Mark Andes’ insistent bass line isn’t complex, but it adds the right touch of darkness. The buildup to the chorus gives me shivers every time.

Then the bridge lightens up … a brilliant feint for the extended instrumental outro that comes after another repeat of the chorus. Who decided that a wild flute solo with heavy support from drummer Michael Clarke and Andes on bass would be better than lead guitarist Jock Bartley showing off? It’s crazy and it works.

Everyone in the band except Clarke sings—rhythm electric and acoustic guitarist Larry Burnett takes the lead on other tracks—which explains the rich, versatile harmonies. The only thing I can’t fully sign on to in “Strange Way” is the lyrics: there’s absolutely no empathy for the other person; and that ego-puffing line “I came shinin’ like the sun” couldn’t be colder. Sure, I could be using today’s more mindful context of possible psychological troubles for this interpretation, but even back in the ‘70s, depression was a known disorder.³

I think it’s just an angry song. Don’t get me wrong: I like a good diss track as much as anyone, but “Strange Way” misses the mark for me. It’s beautifully performed in every respect and I’ve enjoyed revisiting it; and I’ll not really miss it when the next song pops up on the radio station in my mind.

1. I wasn’t enough of a fan to own any of Firefall’s albums back then, so this is pure supposition

2. he also plays keyboards, Moog, organ, and on other tracks, tenor sax and harmonica

3. I don’t like the phrase “mental illness” for reasons that are at best tangentially relevant to this post