Aug 12

Aug 12 Let Your Love Flow, by The Bellamy Brothers

Every day you get a chance to start over

This is such a feel good song. It’s guaranteed to put me in a good mood and is a great way to start the day. It was released by The Bellamy Brothers in 1975, but I first remember hearing it in about 2008 when it was used for the contactless Barclaycard advert (you know the one with the waterslides?). It clearly wasn’t just me that liked the song, as it rapidly entered the UK chart, peaking at #21. Not bad for a 70’s Country number.

How do they do that?

So, this song is clearly ‘popular’, but what makes it Country in style rather than Pop? Well it contains the key features of a country song, which include emphasis on the singer and the lyrics, simple harmonies and an uncluttered accompaniment, usually on stringed instruments such as electric and acoustic guitars, violins, and banjos. The style of singing has that country ‘twang’ with its origins in folk music, which always sounds unforced, natural, honest. And the vocal harmonies are always easy on the ear, in pleasing thirds, which blend and enhance each singer’s contribution (with siblings, the vocal effect is often extra complimentary- think Bee Gees!). Harmonically (the way the chords are structured), there is a very gentle progression away from the home key and back again - there are no surprises, it travels comfortably along always in a familiar place (literally close to ‘home’ key). And I think this gives effect to the main sensations brought about by the song - comfort and familiarity - making the song memorable and feel good. The guitar backing does its job to support the singers, but has its own merry tunes and occasional lick or flicks of prominence when the voices pause between verse and chorus and other rest points. There is a little extra orchestration (synthesised strings and a sort of flute-y sound), which perhaps takes the edge off the country-ness and polishes it into something a little more pop. But for me, the joy in this music stems from its country roots and that style of music’s ability to express emotion in a very pure and simple way!

Hope you enjoy it or feel inspired to listen to something new today.

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