Reggae meets soft rock in Stick Figure’s track titled “Weight of Sound.” The song was released in 2012, but only a few weeks ago did it make its way into my playlist.
A somber yet beautiful guitar solo claims the first sixteen measures of the piece, guiding the listener into a gentle state of reflection. In the seventeenth bar, the guitar is joined by drums and bass that hold a steady soft rock beat, continuing for the following sixteen measures. For me, this is the moment where I can’t help but close my eyes and lean back into the mesh of instruments.
Measure eighteen is where the guitar shifts to an octave higher and the off-beat chords that have come to define reggae are introduced. Stick Figure blends the two genres effortlessly for the next sixteen beats.
Vocals begin at 41 seconds and dedicate the track to the lead singer’s “girl.” The lyrics, however, are not what grabbed my attention initially. Instead, I was drawn to the instrumentals in the background, the kind that make heads bop and hearts full.
The song enters a more consistent flow at 1:35. Reggae beats are in full swing and continue for the remainder of the piece, complete with more guitar solos and instrumental breaks.
I have recently developed a much more devoted interest in reggae music, so when my brother introduced me to this song, I was smitten. I fell in love with how the artists were able to create a piece that filled me both with a sense of longing and one of reassurance.
An emotional juxtaposition exists between the lyrics and the instruments. The vocalist waits to hear from his significant other while the instruments continue building an upbeat overtone that is hard not to move to. I appreciate the reality of this discrepancy. It helps the listener understand that beauty can coexist with heartache.
An optimistic shift takes place at the chorus. The lyrics read, “Keep on smiling, keep on laughing.” Mixed with groovy chords, this invitation is impossible to ignore.
I have kept this song in the back of my mind since it was first played through the speakers of my car.
Stick Figure’s “Weight of Sound” has been proven to establish a sense of camaraderie through highs and lows.
