Lyrics are powerful, like poetry they hold the potential to completely revitalise or redirect your perspective and understanding. When this happens, you don’t need much more than a genuine delivery and a satisfying, evocative melody, to elevate the wonder of the words.
I’ve heard The Low Stakes Band several times before, but there’s something deeply moving and universally thoughtful about The Dash. It’s a song you need to hear in order to feel and consider it – a timeless folk classic in many cases; a work that’s heart-breaking and poignant, with stunning but subtle vocal harmonies.
We’re welcomed into a quiet but striking contemplation of grave stones – the inescapable end of life, and the breath-taking significance of the tiny ‘dash’ that ultimately separates our dates of birth and death on a stone.
What will our lives mean to those who go on afterwards? What will memories of us bring up? And did we use our time wisely – did we use it well?
This is one of, if not the most, memorable and impactful songs to emerge this year so far. Simple in style, complex in subject and reach. Its beauty and realism should live on indefinitely.
Find The Low Stakes Band on Instagram, Facebook.
