an accumulation of my contest submissions - There Beneath by The Oh Hellos

~written for Mia Flame’s contest Lift My Spirits Pt. 2~

3rd place

146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9UrIhMity

To be honest, I don’t think I could pick an absolute favorite song if I tried—I mean, there are just so many good ones. But this song is definitely up there, and I’ve always loved how beautiful it sounds (something I think really plays into the lyrics too).

I’ve always interpreted this song as essentially looking on the bright side of things. Seeing the beauty in everything.

I learned a lot about the way of things

I learned that everything (the wind, the leaves) has breath inside

No matter how dead and hopeless the world seems, if you look hard enough—or rather, if you let yourself relax just enough to to recognize it—there’s beauty everywhere. Even in the most seemingly insignificant things (like the wind or the leaves).

I know, I know this

There is beauty in the way of things

There is beauty in the way of things. In nature, in the universe, in life.

What I find interesting about this song is that there aren’t very many lyrics. But it doesn’t need them. It communicates its message clearly; I mean, it’s not a hard thing to understand. Sometimes it’s better to just let yourself take a break and smell the roses.

I think what I’ve always loved about The Oh Hellos’ songs is their ability to paint a story through their music—the lyrics, as well as the backing music.

There beneath the willow tree

I learned a lot about the way of things.

Even though there’s not much substance there, I can see a clear picture in my head. Someplace calm. Someplace surrounded by nature. Someplace beautiful.

For me I picture a place actually under a willow tree—a huge, branching willow tree. And I can see a figure seated, relaxing underneath. I always picture him as broken and scarred—someone people would think would be destined to hate the world, and adept to violence. Someone who did hate the world, but is learning to let go.

And I love that probably every other person who listens to this song sees a different scene. That’s one of my favorite things—not only about The Oh Hellos’ music but just about music in general. But I’ll stop myself before I go on that tangent.

Anyway, this song has been really important to me, especially lately. As someone who struggles with anxiety, it’s easy to get swept up in worrying and overthinking. This song really helps to remind me to just chill out, for lack of better words.

So yeah, I probably took way too many words to just say that I really love this song because it reminds me to let myself rest and remember all of the beautiful things in my life. (I really hope I didn’t overexplain this whole thing)

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