For those who might be acoustic pop fans that love being part of a fanclub, there is Role Model’s “say it first.”
The song, released as part of the artist’s 2019 EP “oh, how perfect,” is the perfect mix of indie, pop, acoustic and upbeat.
It begins with slow chords on a guitar, already intriguing the audience with its slow, unique beginning.
A few seconds in, Tucker Pillsbury, who goes by the stage name Role Model, begins singing. His voice is raspy and unique, and immediately draws the listener’s attention.
His lyrics are also unique, in that he paints a picture beautifully, so the listener can picture themselves in a scenario. He doesn’t hold back with some of his lyrics, even if they may make the listener uncomfortable.
The first line of “say it first” goes: “Always been one for/ Biting my tongue ‘til/ Blood starts to fill my mouth.” Role Model’s lyricism and use of hyperbole in some of his lyrics make his songs all the more powerful.
The pre-chorus reveals even more vulnerability on Role Model’s part, while not making it completely clear to the audience what the song is about yet. He is afraid and hesitating about something, but isn’t saying exactly what it is.
The chorus hits with a lovely synth track in the back, and it immediately becomes upbeat. While Role Model still hasn’t explicitly said what he’s afraid of doing, it becomes obvious that he wants the person he’s in love with to say the words “I love you” first.
He’s afraid that it’s too soon and that they won’t say it back, but he is deeply in love with this person, and will immediately say it back a million times over, but only once they say it first.
I think I love this song so much because it’s so relatable, in many different contexts. It could apply to being in love, but also could be as simple as having a crush and being unsure if it’s reciprocated.
The lines: “I wanna say you feel the same/ I hesitate ‘cause I’m afraid you don’t/ Wish I could get inside your head/ And write what we been thinkin’ on a note” are powerful and vulnerable, and put an emotion that I’ve experienced so many times before in such a perfect way.
I also deeply enjoy this song because it’s not super common for men to be so vulnerable in the songs that they write, and it’s a breath of fresh air to understand that men feel like that, too.
So, if you’re looking for a feel-good song, whether you have a crush, you’re in love or you just like the idea of love, “say it first” by Role Model is the song for you.
