The Fray - How To Save A Life


What a song. Released as a single in 2006 from the Chicago-based band's debut album from 2005, it charted in the Adult Top 40 in the US for 15 weeks.
The song is purportedly about Isaac's time in a camp for troubled teens, where

"One of the kids I was paired up with was a musician. Here I was, a protected suburbanite, and he was just 17 and had all these problems. And no one could write a manual on how to save him."

I chose to write about this song because it's bringing back a few memories for me right now, and it's also a pretty classic tune, not to mention the song talks about "somewhere along in the bitterness", I think it's appropriate.
That's it for the history etc., now onto the music. The song starts with a piano introduction, setting a solemn mood. Isaac's voice cuts in, followed by the drums, building up to the chorus which enters with guitar chords and a continuing piano accompaniment, more piano chords and a crescendo of vocals, I guess you could say it's quite moving. It depends if you're emo or not.
The vocals are almost hoarse, which adds to the effect of the song and I think it works very well.
I can't be bothered to say anything else because I'm enjoying listening to the song right now and if you yourself have put it on play then you've still good a good few minutes of listening left, so sit back and enjoy.

Rating: 8.3/10

Let me know what you think of the song here

Labels: How To Save A Life, Music, Review, The Fray