Okay, let’s just agree to pretend that it hasn’t been nearly four months since the last time I posted. I don’t want to dwell on it, you don’t want to dwell on it; quite frankly, we’re all tired of thinking about it. This is a new thing, but also an old thing, for both of us, it was bound to get going in fits and starts.

With that out of the way, I proudly present to you, my most listened to song of 2023. The previous song that I posted, My Room, did end up being my most listened to song of 2024, by a country mile. So, we’re sticking with the theme, we’re going further back in time.

I really, really love this song. I’m pretty sure it was the first Hamish Hawk song I ever heard, and it feels practically designed for me in the way most of my most favorite media does. This song dabbles in magical realism, personal myth-making, crippling self-doubt, and a deep longing to connect to something greater than yourself and this world. It’s just… so beautiful.

Just the opening lyrics alone are poetry.

Back in the wretched day
I was ill-shapen clay
and suffering didn’t fit me

Is he talking about primordial, mythological or medieval times, or just what it is like being a misfit teenager? I could go on and on about what I think the song is about from there, but half the fun is sorting it out for yourself. So, go on then, what do you think it’s all about?

If the lyrics weren’t already good enough, you also get it delivered via Hamish’s voice, supported by the gorgeous instrumentation behind the song. It all works together seamlessly to craft a bizarre anthem that I’ll be singing to myself until the end of my life.