What's your favorite color?
It's a pretty straightforward question, isn't it? You don't have to answer, though I certainly won't mind if you do. For me, my favorite color has always been purple - more on the darker end of the spectrum. I don't know what your favorite colors are, but I would expect you to answer with, well, a color. Maybe, like me, you have a soft spot for purple. Or maybe you're more of a green sort of person or maybe you're a fan of red. Or maybe, just maybe, your favorite color is neon like the person in this song.
It's an interesting song concept and one I like. There's been a bunch of songs about the love people have for bars and "Neon" is among that group. But instead of focusing on the beer like most of these songs do, it focuses on the neon. Kind of a different take and if there's ever a way to make a subject feel new again, this is the way to do it.
Let's break this down...
Written by Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne and Trevor Rosen, "Neon" is the title track of Chris Young's new CD and it was only a matter of time before this would be released as a single. My favorite thing about the lyrics is how visual they are, particularly the first verse. A few of the lines from said verse, "Texas sunflower yellow/ can take your breath away/ I've seen it all/ from the orange of the fall/ to the green of the summer". Such beautiful imagery here that gets a little more poetic in the second verse, "Just like a beach side beacon/ Callin' all the ships back home". Not focusing on colors there, but still painting a picture. It brings up so many specific images all the way through; it's like you see the song instead of just hearing it and that's beautiful.
Again, it's a pretty unique concept. The idea that the neon from the bars draws people to it, encouraging them to take a seat and have a beer or two or five. I love the idea of the Neon being both what brings them into the bar and being "the light at the end of this tunnel". Now, as Chris Young fans have known, his songs cover a variety of subjects, but for the most part all of his singles have been about love, save for "Voices". Nothing wrong with that, especially since they covered a range of situations and moods and were all unique in their own ways. But I always love when the singles an artist releases covers a wider variety of subjecs. And when the lyrics are as good as they are here, it makes it even better.
This song has such a nice, laid back feel to it that just makes you want to sway along. I really love the playing in this; musically, it's such a nice, solid country song and pretty traditional sounding. Nice arrangement too. It's hard for me to pick out a favorite moment in this since I feel like the music is so strong. There's really nothing in the way of wasted notes here, everything feels like it belongs. Really like the production of "Neon" as well.
But as lovely as the music is, make no mistake: Chris Young's voice is the star here. Especially during the verses when the music pulls back. I do love how it swells during the choruses. Vocally, it's no secret that I think Chris is one of the best singers in the genre. He could sing just about anything and it wouldn't matter to me; I just love listening to him. His voice is so rich and smooth and has such a nice tone to it and I feel like this song does a great job in showing that off. "Neon" covers a pretty good range of notes and I really like how effortlessly he goes from one to the other. I appreciate his vocal more the more I listen to it. Great delivery too; very nice phrasing.
Chris has been on a nice little streak lately, what with having five number 1's in a row and all. As someone who as been a fan of his since I saw him on Nashville Star and has had the pleasure of meeting him, I'm so happy that he's finally getting the success he deserves. Long overdue, in my opinion. I expect "Neon" to do well and it would surprise me if it didn't. Another great single off of a wonderful album by Chris that deserves to be a part of your music collection if it isn't already.
It's a pretty straightforward question, isn't it? You don't have to answer, though I certainly won't mind if you do. For me, my favorite color has always been purple - more on the darker end of the spectrum. I don't know what your favorite colors are, but I would expect you to answer with, well, a color. Maybe, like me, you have a soft spot for purple. Or maybe you're more of a green sort of person or maybe you're a fan of red. Or maybe, just maybe, your favorite color is neon like the person in this song.
It's an interesting song concept and one I like. There's been a bunch of songs about the love people have for bars and "Neon" is among that group. But instead of focusing on the beer like most of these songs do, it focuses on the neon. Kind of a different take and if there's ever a way to make a subject feel new again, this is the way to do it.
Let's break this down...
Written by Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne and Trevor Rosen, "Neon" is the title track of Chris Young's new CD and it was only a matter of time before this would be released as a single. My favorite thing about the lyrics is how visual they are, particularly the first verse. A few of the lines from said verse, "Texas sunflower yellow/ can take your breath away/ I've seen it all/ from the orange of the fall/ to the green of the summer". Such beautiful imagery here that gets a little more poetic in the second verse, "Just like a beach side beacon/ Callin' all the ships back home". Not focusing on colors there, but still painting a picture. It brings up so many specific images all the way through; it's like you see the song instead of just hearing it and that's beautiful.
Again, it's a pretty unique concept. The idea that the neon from the bars draws people to it, encouraging them to take a seat and have a beer or two or five. I love the idea of the Neon being both what brings them into the bar and being "the light at the end of this tunnel". Now, as Chris Young fans have known, his songs cover a variety of subjects, but for the most part all of his singles have been about love, save for "Voices". Nothing wrong with that, especially since they covered a range of situations and moods and were all unique in their own ways. But I always love when the singles an artist releases covers a wider variety of subjecs. And when the lyrics are as good as they are here, it makes it even better.
This song has such a nice, laid back feel to it that just makes you want to sway along. I really love the playing in this; musically, it's such a nice, solid country song and pretty traditional sounding. Nice arrangement too. It's hard for me to pick out a favorite moment in this since I feel like the music is so strong. There's really nothing in the way of wasted notes here, everything feels like it belongs. Really like the production of "Neon" as well.
But as lovely as the music is, make no mistake: Chris Young's voice is the star here. Especially during the verses when the music pulls back. I do love how it swells during the choruses. Vocally, it's no secret that I think Chris is one of the best singers in the genre. He could sing just about anything and it wouldn't matter to me; I just love listening to him. His voice is so rich and smooth and has such a nice tone to it and I feel like this song does a great job in showing that off. "Neon" covers a pretty good range of notes and I really like how effortlessly he goes from one to the other. I appreciate his vocal more the more I listen to it. Great delivery too; very nice phrasing.
Chris has been on a nice little streak lately, what with having five number 1's in a row and all. As someone who as been a fan of his since I saw him on Nashville Star and has had the pleasure of meeting him, I'm so happy that he's finally getting the success he deserves. Long overdue, in my opinion. I expect "Neon" to do well and it would surprise me if it didn't. Another great single off of a wonderful album by Chris that deserves to be a part of your music collection if it isn't already.
Great review! I completely agree with everything you said here. Well, with one exception, perhaps. 'Neon' IS actually a love song, but it's dedicated to a bar instead of a girl.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I never thought of that. I like that.
DeleteThanks for comment, Wendie! Glad you liked it.