Best Songs of 2013 – #20
I find about half of Haim’s debut album addictive. They have a great sound and a cool retro Fleetwood Mac vibe that serves their songs well.
The other half is repetitive to the point of annoyance, a tic they fall back on too often. Even in today’s song, which I otherwise love, the sisters repeat the chorus in the outro a few too many times.
I’ve never understood excessive repetition as an artistic choice. It’s one thing to get into a groove at a concert, where fans and clapping and singing along. But on record, I can’t think of many examples where a line repeated multiple times improves rather than diminishes the song.
That complaint aside, this is a fun song from a half-fun album.
It’s the hardest thing for me to do
And they say it’s the most important part
Of the relationships I go through
And I give it all away
Just so I could say that
Well, I know, I know, I know, I know
That you’re gonna be okay anyway
You know there’s no rhyme or reason
For the way you turned out to be
I didn’t go and try to change my mind
Not intentionally
I know it’s hard to hear me say it
But I can’t bear to stay
And I just know, I know, I know, I know
That you’re gonna be okay anyway
Always keep your heart locked tight
Don’t let your mind retire
Oh, but I just couldn’t take it
I tried hard not to fake it
But I fumbled it when it came down to the wire
It felt right
It felt right
But I fumbled it when it came down to the wire
The way you use your imagination
Try to make it what you want it to be
Because I’m sorry I did what I did
But it came naturally
And I give it all away
Just so I could say that
Well, I know, I know, I know, I know
That you’re gonna be okay anyway
Well, I try to keep myself together
After all the opportunities
Try to stay true to you and try to do
What you wanted from me
And I give it all away just to hear you say that
Well, I know, I know, I know, I know
That you’re gonna be okay anyway
Always keep your heart locked tight
Don’t let your mind retire
Oh, but I just couldn’t take it
I tried hard not to fake it
But I fumbled it when it came down to the wire
It felt right
It felt right
But I fumbled it when it came down to the wire
Always keep your heart locked tight
Don’t let your mind retire
Oh, but I just couldn’t take it
I tried hard not to fake it
But I fumbled it when it came down to the wire
It felt right
It felt right
But I fumbled it when it came down to the wire
Meet Me In Montauk 
I think there are usually two reasons for musical repetition in a pop, rock or country song: either it is an effort to create a groove or to create an anthem. The latter reason may not work quite as well on a record, but translates well for live performances. Think “We will Rock You” by Queen as an example.
The repetition in today’s song falls into the groove category. In fact, the chorus comes close to a type of musical round. On first listen, it doesn’t strike me as so repetitive that it is detrimental to the song.