“I’m not your son, you’re not my father / We’re just two grown men saying goodbye…” As Boyz II Men once famously sung, back in their Cooleyhighharmony days, “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday.” In this case, for British singer/songwriter James Blunt, he is potentially saying goodbye to one of the closest people in his life, his father. His father’s ailment? Chronic kidney disease, which can be truly devastating. Listening to the emotional “Monsters,” released as a single (from album, Once Upon a Mind, 2019) alongside a tear-jerking music video in January 2020, Blunt seeks to atone for his father’s potential death by stepping into his paternal, protective role.
On the centerpiece of “Monsters,” the emotional chorus, as well as the song as a whole, Blunt isn’t concerned about any of the miscues of his father, or his own that might’ve previously offended or affected his dad. He merely wants to make him proud in the present, as a mature man, and of course, posthumously. He continues singing on the chorus:
“No need to forgive, no need to forget
I know your mistakes and you know mine
And while you’re sleeping, I’ll try to make you proud
So, daddy, won’t you just close your eyes?
Don’t be afraid, it’s my turn
To chase the monsters away.”
While the chorus best exemplifies the atonement of “Monsters,” particularly the final line, other aspects and sections of the song greatly contribute. Vocally, the ever-distinct Blunt delivers incredible authenticity and emotion, truly selling what he sings. Furthermore, in regard to form, the verses show Blunt’s preparation for ‘the end,’ making his father’s remaining time peaceful. The bridge, rivaling the power of the chorus, find him asserting, “I will be the last one, so I’ll leave a light on / Let there be no darkness in your heart.”
To reiterate, it’s tough to listen to “Monsters” and not be moved. Sure, for James Blunt, the person he’s preparing his farewells for is his father, but this song can be applicable to any number of loved ones or friends. We can’t atone for death, but we can use sad, trying situations to do as Blunt does – become stronger and continue to carry the torch.
You can learn more about James Blunt here:
About The Curator - Brent Faulkner
Slightly eccentric with interests that seem to know no ends, restless ‘Renaissance Man’ is the best way to characterize Brent Faulkner, a native of Kentucky. A certified music educator, multi-instrumentalist, and composer known for his incredibly sharp ear, he lives and breathes music of a variety of styles. In addition to passion for educating, performing, and writing music, he’s equally passionate blogging and writing about it, managing his own site, The Musical Hype (https://themusicalhype.com). When he’s not intensely analyzing music, you can find him reading or watching a movie, reality television or some sporting event.
