A year after releasing his first full-length record, ‘Nothing Stays the Same Way for Long’, Steve Wallis released this brilliantly crafted single. ‘What it Takes’ manages to be both uplifting and bittersweet at the same time, which is quite a feat. The lyrics, shared below, are thought-provoking, sensitive and full of life-lessons. There’s an honesty and authenticity here, wry observations tinged with sadness, that brings to mind some of the best of Americana. Wallis’s engaging, rhythmic folk sound features superbly melodic guitar-work, wailing harmonica and his voice, clear and delicate, is perfect for storytelling and intimate reflections.
Wallis says of the song and video: “Written one furious caffeinated afternoon in Berlin, I performed it at an open mic that night. People yelped, shouted, someone cried, and the room erupted. Wherever I’ve performed it since it’s the same, it feels like this song captured a little bit of magic. A headlong rush of leaping acoustic guitars, wild harmonica and incendiary prose. Beguiling turns of phrase ricochet off one another to paint a picture that’s bitter, funny, and hopeful all at once. I had an idea for a video for this song – a nod to ‘Subterranean Homesick Blues’. It ended up taking a lot of miles! I carried those damn cards all over Europe, filming in train stations, bridges, side streets, tourist spots, open fields and forests.The road goes on forever.”
Wallis is right: he really did capture a little bit of magic with this song. The Australian folk singer’s debut album received a 9/10 from AUK – check it out here. On this evidence, the follow-up promises to be even better. Listen and share. We can all learn something from ‘What it Takes’.
Lyrics:
It takes two days in Paris to learn that you’re poor
And two weeks in Berlin to learn that you’re boring
It takes 33 years then a blink to turn forty
And five strong drinks to make you sick in the morning
It takes too many years spent chasing a dream
To learn that no-one in life ever helps you for free
And it takes the voice of a stranger singing your words
For you to believe that they’re worth being heard
It takes a weekend in Amsterdam to wanna get sober
And a five minute phone call to learn that it’s over
It takes getting used to waking up next to no-one
To find all the pieces of your heart when it’s broken
It takes a gas station postcard saying “I’m Sorry”
And two hundred miles to start missing somebody
And another one written to my dad in a hurry
Cause I learned raising a kid takes a lifetime of worry
It takes climbing a mountain to learn how to fall
And apparently killing a camel just takes one final straw
Well I never thought too much of that metaphor
But then it hurt worse than dying to walk out that door
It takes six weeks in England in a town by the sea
To finally say what I actually mean
That if it takes pulling one thread for us to tear at the seams
I guess there’s some things in life that just ain’t meant to be
But it takes distance they say, to make our hearts grow fonder
And I think that it’s true babe, but sometimes I wonder
Cause this might not kill me but I don’t feel any stronger
So how is being apart gonna solve any problems?
So you went to Lyon, now you’re heading to Rome
And I’m still too scared to ask if you’re happier alone
Cause after all these years we spent sharing the road
Now it’s only when you’re with me that it feels like I’m home
Now I’m back on the train with my hat and guitar
Pretending like I’m some rock n roll star
And I might not get there, but at least I started!
It takes leaning in to the wind open-hearted
There’s no path paved with gold that’ll lead you to glory
It takes a life full of failures to tell a good story
And it takes time everyday to keep telling yourself
That you’re worth more than how many records you sell
It takes two days in Paris to learn that you’re poor
And two weeks in Berlin to learn that you’re boring
When you’re swimming upstream it’s like you’re stuck in one place
But I’m gonna show you I’ve got what it takes
Yeah I’m gonna show you I’ve got what it takes
