This is a different take on the pop song, borrowing heavily from history. I can honestly say I’ve never had to think about a track that features the sound of a washboard! It has an integrated bell that rings at the end of sequences, too. This mimics the sound and feel of a typewriter’s carriage returning – as if the song is simultaneously being written and performed in real time. I realise that’s an irrational association, but once you’ve made it, it adds a tension and drive to proceedings, which is very compelling! Will the writing be able to keep up with the vocal?
Jill has a sweet, bluesy voice, delivering the attention-seeking lyric with an authentic, slightly clipped enunciation that recalls the 1920s, all flappers and Lindy Hops! And yet the vocal, which has been treated to sound like it was captured decades ago, is also loose enough to perform lazy, jazzy portamento between notes, which adds further authenticity to proceedings… to the point where I kept expecting to hear the ‘record’ crackle and skip!
Described as a ‘love letter to the playfulness of New Orleans Jazz’, Write A Song About Me actually does a lot more than simply pay homage – the title is sung on a melody that comes around in just the right kind of ear-candy way that gets under your skin very quickly!
I simply loved the ‘mouth trumpet’ sequence – there’s very rarely this much fun in pop – and I was transported back to Queen’s Seaside Rendezvous, where Roger Taylor did the same thing. It displays wit, confidence and imagination in spades. I hope lots of people get to hear this catchy little number, because Jill Sargeant’s done a great job with it.
Stream the single on Spotify. Find & follow Jill Sargeant on Facebook & Instagram or visit her Website.
