The first time I heard “People’s Champ” by Los Angeles band Forebear, the song immediately brought confused tears to my eyes. Confused, because I wasn’t sure what caused the tears – whether it was the plaintive notes of viola in the intro and then flowing through the song as harmony and juxtaposition to the steady drumbeat guiding the song, or if it was the lyrics, fiercely personal but independently poetic in detailing the loss felt by the speaker.
Perhaps it was the length of the song, clocking in at just over two-and-a-half minutes, which I would consider short. The ending, not abrupt but fading out right as I was wanting more, mirrors perfectly the feeling expressed in the song: loss, too soon. The simple structure of verse to chorus to verse without a bridge or any instrumental interlude causes the listener to be focused entirely on the lyrics, be entirely present throughout the song, and face up to their feelings. Something that especially stands out is the emotion expressed in the very first verse of the song:
I’ll miss you when you go
Wanted to be there
Offer my goodbyes
Let you know I care
The use of future tense immediately juxtaposed to past tense somehow captures the spirit of longing and regret in being unable to change events before they play out, something that everyone has felt, but is difficult to express. This is characteristic of the entire song; while soft in tone and lovely in tune, “People’s Champ” is not easy listening.
“People’s Champ,” released on August 18 as the first taste of Forebear’s upcoming second EP, promises honesty in complexity: It’s a song that will stay with you for longer than you would expect. The band have been playing more and more shows around the LA area, as well as traveling, showcasing their unique sound to multiple audiences. Even if you haven’t been able to catch them at a show, spend some time listening to Forebear and getting familiar with this song, perhaps allowing your own confused tears to fall as you explore emotions easy to feel and hard to express.
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Listen: “People’s Champ” – Forebear
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lyrics
I’ll miss you when you go
Wanted to be there
Offer my goodbyes
Let you know I care
I’ll befriend your ghost
She’s easier to see
Introverted flames
A mystical reprieve
Winter into Spring
Is my imagination a fire
That warms or destroys
In your evaluation
Make sure to note
I’ll miss you when you go
Symptomatic needs
Where is there a home
That nurtures disbelief
Winter into Spring
Is my imagination a fire
That warms or destroys
In your evaluation
Make sure to note
I’ll miss you when you go
I’ll miss you when you go
I’ll
