let me lament to you..

The night me and your mama met. Wow. The title of the song itself hums nostalgia. Taking us back to a time we were not party to - like an old photograph you never took but somehow remember. It beckons us to a suspended time, celebrating the sacredness of love. A simple moment that became the beginning of a family unit, and generations to come after it.

What a story right? But this story has no words, just feelings which pour into the song - creating a wordless space allowing us to reminisce. This song takes us through a journey of tender yet, electrifying love. It’s amazing how songs without lyrics can transcend us through different emotions and help us reminisce on those vulnerable feelings we may not have been able to express with just words themselves. The power of music aye?

My advice when reading this JOURNALISTIC analysis, is to simultaneously listen to the song to get the full experience!

Make it stand out

*“Awaken, My Love!,” Childish Gambino*

another song in 3/4… gosh we love love here!

The time signature of this song is 3/4 which is a traditional waltz/ love song rhythm. A waltz is a dance performed by a couple, a rhythm that allows the dancers to share a heartbeat. The rhythm slowly sways and lulls us into its hypnotic realm of passion and tenderness.

The mesmerising melody, the spellbinding harmonies, the soulful soundscape.. what does it all mean in the spirit of love?

The Spirit of the Instruments:

This heartwarming instrumental begins with just a ukulele. This portrays an image of the simplicity of serenading a song for somebody - you can only play one instrument. The glockenspiel that chimes in ever so subtly in the song, represents the innocence and purity, almost like a soft, dreamlike alarm that is evoking a memory we yearn for. Towards the end of the song, the electric guitar enters creating an electrifying feeling of love like a burst of fireworks and chemistry, telling its own love story with passion to the fullest, most wholeheartedly way.

The Spirit of the chords:

The key signature of this song is in C# minor. The chords in the loop (A and B), are from the relative major of c# minor (E major). The repetition of these chords throughout the song create a timeless hypnotic loop which gives us a sense of longing as they never resolve to the tonic key of C# minor (the note you feel the loop should end on). The notes of G#minor and F# minor also loop but never resolve. The unresolved chords mirror the feeling of missing someone you love, or longing for a moment that’s already passed. A memory that doesn’t end, but echos..in the spirit of love.

The Spirit of the Vocals:

As the song progresses, the harmonising vocals flood in, representing the embodiment of wholeness almost as if they are embracing the melody itself. The vocals entwine with the song, overflowing the melody to the point that it vibrates off your skin. The ‘ahh’s’ and ‘ooh’s’ are also expressions we use when we are in admiration of something or feeling relief which also aids us in expressing our vulnerability.

Really and truly, this song embodies nostalgia. It aches the essence of reminiscing, echoing such deep passion in a way lyrics cannot convey. It’s soft, intimate and psychedelic. It is, love and what better way to convey this emotion than to feel it, hear it and experience it.

The Night Me and Your Mama Met by Childish Gambino - Official Audio

The night me and your mama met - Childish gambino