B-Side Guys

Good morning B-Side Bandicoots (nah, that’s not it)! Before we talk about the song, go back to the :41 second mark and wince in fear with me one more time that Edwin was going to get his guitar wet for the shot. Okay. Are you back? Now let’s talk about this song. I don’t know about you guys, but I LOVE this song and video. I was sold from the first few frames. I love music videos that take a simple concept and just execute the hell out of it, and Edwin does exactly that with “Uncontrollable Pride.” I got so drawn in by the video and beautiful melody, that it took me a few times to pay attention to the lyrics, but luckily for you, I can point them out now, so you don’t miss how awesome they are:

“I was under pressure when the Devil told me what she thought.
Nothing made much sense and I said “Jesus, you sound just like God”
Will my life come at a cost, cause my money’s gone to rent?
What else would you want, to get my life back again?

Uncontrollable pride
Me and the Devil dining side by side
Uncontrollable pride
How much love will it take to make this right?”

That opening is so playfully witty, and yet deeply interesting at the same time. At first I thought maybe the Devil was telling him what “she”, as in some third party girl who the narrator was crushing on, thought. But the more I read it, I think the Devil is the she. And the Devil doesn’t make any sense, which makes her sound like God. I really can’t emphasize how cleverly worded that stanza is. It’s really a thing of beauty. The next verse explores the whole idea further:

“I was under pressure when the Devil came to speak to me
She said “You’re a fool for loving someone you don’t truly see”
How much would it cost, cause my hair is getting thin?
Well, what else would you want, cause my beauty’s at its end?”

So is the “someone you don’t truly see” also the Devil? Since the Devil doesn’t make much sense, and he and the Devil are dining side my side. It could be speaking about a third party girl, and I think both are interesting, but I can’t get over the idea of being in a dysfunctional relationship with the Devil just because it’s such an interesting concept to me. Either way though, it’s a great song that’s hiding an ambiguous poetry behind beautiful upbeat melodies. I really hope you enjoy it as much as I do. And Edwin, keep your guitar dry buddy.

“You Have No Idea, Man” EP available on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7AYZxQyhNgswFgKJ9ZaxwL?si=XUCVLGl5Q1mi6NmC3VXJbQ