I feel a little bit more in the know about today’s song, #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, because I just read about it in Rolling Stone.
For example, I know that Passenger is the stage name of British singer-songwriter Michael David Rosenberg, who has spent years busking in various countries.
And I know that Passenger has taken lots of crap over his unique vocals, including one heckler who told him he sounds like a hobbit.
The other thing I know is that ‘Let It Go’ sounds very much like something else I’ve heard, but I can’t place it. I’d appreciate any help from my readers on that front.
Well you only need the light when it’s burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go
Only know you’ve been high when you’re feeling low
Only hate the road when you’re missing home
Only know you love her when you let her go
And you let her go…
[Verse 1]
Staring at the bottom of your glass
Hoping one day you’ll make a dream last
But dreams come slow and they go so fast
You see her when you close your eyes
Maybe one day you’ll understand why
Everything you touch surely dies
[Hook]
[Verse 2]
Staring at the ceiling in the dark
Same old empty feeling in your heart
Cause love comes slow and it goes so fast
Well you see her when you fall asleep
But never to touch and never to keep
Cause you loved her too much and you dived too deep
[Hook]
[Bridge]
Oh, oh, woah, oh, oh
And you let her go
Oh, oh, woah, oh, oh
When you let her go
Whoa
[Hook]
Meet Me In Montauk 
I immediately started humming this very song as the one it might have reminded you of, only to have Daniel gently remind me that I was singing the exact song we were about to listen to, so this reader is clearly not going to be of any help (though I agree with you – he has a Van Morrison sound, no?) I’ve heard this song a lot, but I had no idea what his real name was. I’m always perplexed when I hear a song on the radio, as half the time I can’t tell which name is the artist and which is the song title (Great Big World and Say Something was another example the first couple of times we heard them). How can one singer songwriter dude be called Passenger? Why does he want to confuse his listeners?
I’m actually quite surprised this is a hit, as it doesn’t have the typical qualities of a Billboard favorite. It reminds me of something you’d hear in the film/show Once, and that’s a very good thing in my book.
This song is well known to us through radio play. And the Hobbit comparison is quite amusing.
As for what the song sounds like, I had always thought it sounded like something fron Ed Sheran, which probably makes some sense as Sheeran appears to have influenced Passenger. I.cant figure out which Sheeran song this really sounds like, but thanks to the folks at http://www.soundsjustlike.com (and what a great concept for a website by the way) I offer up the following choices;
Brett Dennan’s “Ain’t no Reason”
Chris Medina’s “What are Words”
Or Taylor Swift’s “Red”
That site also suggested the song sounded like Mumford and Sons” “the cave” but I don’t really hear that as much.
That IS a great idea for a website! I think ‘Red’ might be the one I was thinking of.
Actually, just listened to The Cave and I do hear the similarity in the verses. The first two you linked above are brand new to me but they are both very close as well. I guess that lilting melody is pretty common, especially when paired with an acoustic guitar and sung in a Hobbit voice!
I recently discovered Passenger and as soon as I did I started going through Youtube to find his music. Although, I do hear that he has similar songs as to Ed Sheeran I personally think that they differ enough in their voices and style for them to co-exist. Amy, I could see the Van Morrison sounding like the unique voice he has.
I like this song a lot. I find that it’s a very small scale song. that says enough. The strings are beautiful in the background alongside Passenger’s unique voice and great lyrics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2K_7-MHt3k
This is one of my favorite videos that has both Passenger and Ed Sheeran. It shows off both of their artistry.
I like this video, and I love the Hobbit comparison. Don’t think I ever suggested the two artists couldn’t coexist, Daniel! Quite the contrary – I very much like their duet here. Thanks for sharing.