By Charlie Maybee
Richmond-based folk duo, Dropping Ugly, have released “If It Were Me,” their final single leading up to the release of their sophomore album. This song sees singer-songwriter Simon Anderson flying solo with a laid-back acoustic number that acts as a “what if” love story.
Seeming to take place around the time of a high school graduation, there’s an air of nostalgia flowing through each plucked note on the guitar. Anderson reminisces about a special girl he was fond of but was too nervous to talk to. There’s a longing to reconnect, but he clearly has kept his distance, as he rounds out the second half of the chorus singing, “I’d put a gold ring on you / I’d take you to the altar / If it were me and not that man.”
There’s some talk about traveling to big cities and foreign counties, but Anderson stands his ground waiting for her return. There’s no telling whether she will decide to settle down and stay in one place long enough for him to work up the nerve to talk (let alone marry) this girl. But there’s a hopeful optimism to the song that makes you root for him. Toward the end of the bridge, he really shoots his shot saying, “I’m not the same boy / But I’d make the same choice / I’d make the same one, you bet.”
Regardless of whether you’re rooting for Anderson in this scenario, the song has an undeniable emotional effect caused by the stripped-down nature of the song, which is a big shift from Dropping Ugly’s previous releases, where there are electric guitars and drums involved, providing a solid preview of what’s to come on their upcoming album.
“If It Were Me” is available on major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Follow our Alchemical Weekly YouTube Playlist for more great music featured on the site.
Charlie Maybee is a dancer, musician, educator, and writer based in Charleston, South Carolina who currently teaches with the Dance Program at the College of Charleston. His primary work as an artist is with his performing collective, Polymath Performance Project, through which he makes interdisciplinary performance art that centers tap dance as the primary medium of expression and research. He also currently plays rhythm guitar for the Charleston-based punk band, Anergy, and releases music as a solo artist under the name Nox Eterna.
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Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
