Sad to say, but the song that should win this years Silver Scroll is obvious.
The greatest songs let us revel in our emotional storms, let us feel comfort in tears, let us ripple with the goosebumps that arise from memories of loss and pain. Yes, the greatest songs are the saddest songs.
And that’s why, when they announce the 2018 Silver Scroll for the year’s best songwriting at a bash at Auckland’s Spark Arena on October 4, they’ll surely announce the winner as Marlon Williams for his break-up ballad Nobody Gets What They Want Anymore.
Part of me doesn’t want this utterly heartbroken song to win. Part of me wants the soulful, sun-worshipping, pagan prog funk of Troy Kingi’s Aztec knowledge, or the tender trundling melody of Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s Hunnybee, or the fuzzy, grungy guitars and gleeful harmonies of the Beths’ Future Me Hates Me, or the f--- you break-up pop of Chelsea Jade’s Laugh It Off to show that bold, uplifting songs hold this world together.
This story is from the October 6 - 12 2018 edition of New Zealand Listener.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 6 - 12 2018 edition of New Zealand Listener.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
