Song Review - Chasing The Sun

Posted by Rajan Manickavasagam
July 17th, 2013

Rating: 5 out of 5

Calvary Cemetery in Queens - by Wikipedia User Plowboylifestyle
The album 'The Blessed Unrest' by Sara Bareilles has just been released. It contains a superb collection of songs imbibing pop, soul and jazz musical styles. The outstanding song in the album is 'Chasing The Sun'. I would recommend this song and even the entire album to anyone.

The song is sung from the vantage point of the cemetery in Queens. The photograph aptly captures the essence of the song. We spend our lives chasing our moment in the sun. Everyone is keen to see the skyscrapers in the city but there are over 3 million tiny skyscrapers in the cemetery too. There are songs in the past that eulogised the hustle and bustle of New York, like - 'New York Minute' (Don Henley), 'New York, New York' (Frank Sinatra'). This song captures New York in a more reflective mood.

Sara's voice is strong and sharp throughout the song. The background score is dominated by the piano. There is a clever use of military style drums in the song, perhaps hinting the last march.

Art, be it a painting, a song or a poem, makes us think. It makes us reflect on ourselves, our actions, our lives and the people around us. This song accomplishes all of that and maybe a bit more.

Thanks to the song, I have an unusual perspective of a city, I have never been to. And, it reminds us who we are and what we want to be.
Location: Bangalore, Karnataka, India

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