Lizzy McAlpine’s “Soccer Practice” Depicts the Complexities of Heartbreak & Healing in One Simple Ballad

Lizzy McAlpine © Neema Sadeghi
Lizzy McAlpine © Neema Sadeghi
Singer/songwriter Lizzy McAlpine adapts folk and indie pop influences to create “Soccer Practice,” a bittersweet song about the process of mending a heartache.
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Stream: “Soccer Practice” – Lizzy McAlpine




Lizzy McApline’s latest album, Older (and Wiser) is all about reflecting upon past relationships and moving on.

In the process of healing a broken heart, McAlpine has touched listeners across the world. The introspective song, “Soccer Practice” strikes a chord immediately upon first listen. Its profoundly relatable lyrics and heartfelt storytelling strike a nerve, resonating deep inside those who have heard the track.

Older (and Wiser) - Lizzy McAlpine
Older (and Wiser) – Lizzy McAlpine

The record is short and sweet, invoking raw, potent, emotions that an unresolved heartbreak can cause. It showcases the imagination of a hopeless romantic who endlessly wants things to work in a relationship. Through carefully crafted lyricism and instrumentation, McAlpine dreams of a picture-perfect life with the subject of her writing, but comes to the realization that this may not be possible.

You pick up the kids from soccer practice
I wait in line at the grocery store
You sing them to sleep, what else do we need?
You’re always sober, I’m always sure

The chorus is reminiscent of an inability to see life without rose colored glasses, and takes time to carefully and thoroughly explore the concept of holding onto the past. McAlpine describes this illustrated relationship by dissecting what went wrong and why things ended. She begins to realize the emotional weight provoked by this person, and uses these feelings to produce a thoughtful and lyric intensive track.

This bond was special to the singer/songwriter, as she has been unable to find a connection that feels comparable. Such a reaction can be depicted in the last lyric of the chorus.

We could’ve had it, but then again
We never could’ve done it,
I was weaker then
I hate to say it, I know it’s true
I’m waiting for someone
who will make me say no to you
 

Towards the end of the ballad, the chorus switches, adding two lines:

When this is over, who will I be?
I wish that you would finally say no to me

The roles are reversed between the last line of each chorus, allowing for a change in perspective. The inclusion of these final two lines in the song allow for personal growth, and inward contemplation.

Lizzy McAlpine © Neema Sadeghi
Lizzy McAlpine © Neema Sadeghi



A Review of Lizzy McAlpine’s ‘Older’

:: ROUNDTABLE ::

Each verse serves as a reminder that it’s okay to be a dreamer, everyone becomes one at some point. But fantasies are exactly that: unreal. “Soccer Practice” is a nice reminder that reality is always better than imagination, even if it elicits pain.

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:: stream/purchase Older (and Wiser) here ::
:: connect with Lizzy McAlpine here ::

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Stream: “Soccer Practice” – Lizzy McAlpine



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Older (and Wiser) - Lizzy McAlpine

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? © Neema Sadeghi

Lizzy McAlpine Ushers in a New Era with Achingly Beautiful “Older”

:: REVIEW ::

LIZZY MCALPINE CUTS DEEP WITH STUNNING SOPHOMORE LP ‘FIVE SECONDS FLAT’

:: INTERVIEW ::


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