“Anybody’s Only” by Tim O’Reagan
2FL Insight
By Jav Rivera
2FL Insight is a series of short posts highlighting film, television, music, art, or literature. Visit 2nd First Look’s official website for full-length articles & recommendations: www.2ndFirstLook.com.
SONG: “Anybody’s Only”
ALBUM: Tim O’Reagan (2006)
ARTIST: Tim O’Reagan
Though he’s mostly known as the drummer for The Jayhawks, Tim O’Reagan has written — and sung — songs on the band’s albums. His voice is distinctively his own and his writing powerful. One of my all-time favorite Jayhawks songs is “Bottomless Cup” written and sung by Tim O’Reagan. When I first heard “Bottomless Cup” I remember sitting baffled. It hit me hard and I was instantly in love with Tim’s writing.
Needless to say I was excited back in 2006 when I discovered he had released a solo album, and after listening to it I was definitely not disappointed. What I found interesting is Tim’s choice of songwriting style. His songs almost sound like a truck driver’s bar band, if that makes sense. But Tim does something most artists — even bar bands — cannot, which is add a level of honest frustration.
And what’s most appealing about his songs is that at some point there’s a moment when Tim’s voice takes a heart-breaking turn. The audience can’t help but drown in its sorrow. Tim’s song “Anybody’s Only” is a perfect example. His voice is mellow for the better part of the song, but during those last few seconds his mood alters as he sings the lyric:
“I’m trying to give you a signal, but I just can’t get through to you, to you, to you…”
It’s as if the frustration can no longer be contained. And when you look deeper into Tim’s album, so many questions are raised by the man’s past. What has he gone through? Who or what has he lost? How has he survived through all of that pain?
The Jayhawks gained more than just a superb drummer when he joined the band back in the mid-90s; they found a golden songwriter.
