Hold me in this wild world

Hold your horses before you jump to conclusions. I had this post in mind for a very long time, so well, since today is the lead singer’s important day… Can there be better timing? 😉 Happy birthday, Dan. It’s an honor to be featured here, just so you know.

So, what would you little maniacs like to do first?

My relationship with Bastille’s music is complicated and I think I’ve mentioned it on multiple occasions now. It’s like Dan sometimes has unlimited access to my brain and its quirky, nerdy content. And that I don’t grant that access easily, especially to strangers.

So that is why sometimes I need a break from their music. I always end up crawling back, so yeah, there is a constant battle between my thoughts and heart and then Dan is bargaining in with his words? So perfectly reflecting my mood or feelings?

Ew. Who would want that? All jokes aside, it’s quite rare, isn’t it? To find an artist, a band, that you want to hold on to, through every waking moment. To be immersed in someone else’s poetry to a degree of eternal relevance…

Burning bright right till the end
Now you’ll be missing from the photographs

It is scary, to some point. Because it makes one realize that there is someone out there who is feeling similar feelings and thinking similar thoughts. And with Wild World I think that was the pivotal moment in this love affair.

What I love about Bastille music, aside from the sad depression vibe, are the words. I am somewhat of a writer myself, and I appreciate the hell out of it. That is why when someone asks me about my favorite TS era, I always say folklore and evermore – the poetry masterclass!

But this is a side note, Taylor is not the subject today. Why am I starting off with the 2nd album? Well, it holds a special place in my heart, because I actually went all the way across this damn country to see Bastille at, hold to your seats, a metal festival.

In my thoughts, you’re far away
And you are whistling a melody

Good Grief – when this song came out, it was all over the radio. And I was in Germany, visiting my godmother and her family. And each time she and I drove somewhere, this song was on, so naturally, it became our national anthem. Despite the heavy theme, it warms my heart.
The Currents – I was on the fence with this one initially but ended up, obviously, loving it wholeheartedly. Making a 10000-times better impression live, though the album version is amazing too.
An Act Of Kindness – for me, it’s one of the songs that holds some mystery and can be interpreted in so many different ways – from an actual kind deed to a very erotic sense (yeah, there was a post about this one on Twitter a while back and it blew my mind). Nevertheless, I love it. But tell me, Dan. What was on your mind?
Warmth – hold me in this wild, wild world! For a moment, this song really lets you forget about the heaviness and unpleasantness of the world. And this is a feeling I actually hold very dearly to my heart.
Glory – all of you Lot know that this is my ultimately favorite song from Bastille, probably also in top 3 of all-time favorites, next to Can you feel the love tonight and something else (that will never be clearly defined because my mood swings are a real thing). This song is a full, complete package for me: the lyrics, the music, the video. There is so much going through my head when I think about this song. And to this day, it is my ringtone. I feel like this song alone deserves a separate post but now that I think about it, it kind of has.

Crystallising clear as day
Oh, I can picture you so easily

Power – for some reason, this is my “feel good” song from this album? Why? I cannot tell you, but it’s Bastille, so nothing really makes sense.
Two Evils – Dan’s voice travels to a different galaxy in this song and it gives me goosebumps every single time.
Send Them Off! – oh, it’s one of my perfect songs to run to, it has the beat and the right energy to get me off the couch and speeding through the woods, leaving my monsters behind, because I am this fast.
Lethargy – yet another “happy sounding” song that isn’t exactly the joyous one, but you could not be more wrong. And that’s the general thing with Bastille, I think, disguising sadness in colorful tunes. Takes a special kind of melancholy, which, once again, looks like someone stole right from my soul.

What’s gonna be left of the world if you’re not in it?
What’s gonna be left of the world, oh?

Four Walls (The Ballad of Perry Smith) – this is one of these songs that grows on you after quite a while, and I appreciate it more now than I did back when the album came out.
Blame – another good one for workouts, running especially. Big, big love for Woody and his drums, because they are the cornerstone of my undying love for this song.
Fake It – my 3rd favorite out of this album, but I have the biggest crush on the one particular live version that Bastille recorded and it lives rent-free in my head, activating itself every now and then.
Snakes – anxiety is a bitch, no? But Dan and the boys do something absolutely delicious – they decide not to deal with any of it and just avoid it all together, like any reasonable adult should.
Winter Of Our Youth – this feels so personal, it’s rude. How dare you say goodbye to my youth? It’s like, stop it Dan. You know way too much, no one is supposed to know exactly how it feels.
Way Beyond – what is the way beyond, Dan? Anyway, it is one of my favorite songs from the entire ordeal. Also, who is getting dusted off your shoulders? So many questions and so little answers.

Every minute and every hour
I miss you, I miss you, I miss you more

Oil On Water – initially, it wasn’t supposed to be on the album but ultimately made it and GOOD, because I love it.
Campus – another happy tune in disguise and if you are a Bastille fan, you learn to just roll with it. It’s part of life now.
Shame – sounds like a fallout of some sorts and it’s just painfully beautiful. But, it is also very heavy and makes me skip this one every now and then. As you know, I don’t like when Dan is in my head like that.
The Anchor – you are the light that is guiding me… Oh, Dan. Everyone needs an anchor like this, but then again, anchors are meant to hold you in one place. But then, if you think about an anchor as if it is to ground you in the present moment… Then it is an entirely different story. And I am inclined to believe you meant the latter.

Caught off-guard by your favourite song
Oh, I’ll be dancing at a funeral

I still have some videos from that concert, all those years ago and maybe that is why I feel such a huge connection to this album. It was the one that made me fall deeply and, sadly, very unconditionally in love with Bastille.

Happy birthday, Dan!