Song of the Week

There are some days we would rather spend living in our memories. It can feel so real it’s almost like dreaming an alternate reality to realism. There are some people you hold onto in your mind for a lifetime. A connection with someone so deep that they have a place in your heart forever and no matter how much time goes by it never feels real that they’re gone. That feeling right there is what COIN illustrates with the song “Malibu 1992.” Sung by lead singer Chase Lawrence, this track was released on the band’s 2017 album, “How Will You Know If You Never Try.”

This track was originally released as a continuation of one of COIN’s earlier releases, “What’s It Feel Like?.” Released in 2013 on COIN’s EP “1992”, “What’s it feel like?” is clearly linked to “Malibu 1992” because of the EP title as well as mentioning Malibu in the song. Both songs also share the repetition of the lyrics “I did it again, oh I did it again.” The song “Malibu” on that EP is a version of “Malibu 1992” as well. There are a lot of connections here and evidence of musical evolution.

We know right off the bat that she’s leaving him. We keep flashing back and forth between the present day and the good old days. The title’s meticulousness gives this song a personal feel. “I watched you board an airplane / A high dive from the summer’s heat wave, down / A bit tongue and a taste of iron / Sweethearts that high school soured, now.” Heat is a double entendre representing the literally hotness of the summer but also the heat between these two sweethearts implying a summer of romantic intensity. The iron taste is from biting his tongue so hard it bleeds. The physical pain is the only way to calm his storm of emotional distress long enough to let her get on the plane. She is the one that got away.

Throughout the song her attention to monetary gains is highlighted a few times. “You moved when you ran out of money to stay” This could be considered a passive aggression but it’s at least a tad judgmental. It becomes more obvious at the end when the theme comes full circle. He says, “You’re some old man’s new trophy / Locked up in some house in New Jersey / Now money’s not a problem.” Her trophy wife status tells us that she gave up looking for love and chose money instead. This also implies that he was the last man she loved.

He has given up on any chance of reconciliation. “Your parents’ house in Ohio / Your old bed replaced by a treadmill, now / Well I come here more than you know.” Her room being replaced implies she left everything behind without looking back. He goes to her parents house to be close to her even after all of this time. He did it again, he must still want her. Every time he thinks she is in the past the memories weasel their way back in.The one that got away is a common phrase for a reason. First loves can find a way to last a lifetime and Lawrence isn’t forgetting his anytime soon. The lyrics remind us it’s okay to reminisce but be careful because it’s easy to live in your memories.