Song of the Week: 1000 Reasons Why

You should all know by now that I will never miss an opportunity to tell the world how much I love the Soul Boy II album. To put it into context, if there was ever a Jeopardy question written about me, “Soul Boy II” would probably be the answer. Either that, or “cannibalism,” it really could go either way. But apart from the obvious fact that the entire album is an eclectic powerhouse full of bouncy, unskippable tracks, I think the biggest allure for Soul Boy II (at least from my perspective) is that it also serves as a one-stop-shop for fan favorites.

Now, I realize there are some people who would disagree with that statement, because music is extremely subjective, and with so many songs that qualify as “essential listening” in their catalog, the Skinner Brothers have not made an easy task of finding them all in one place. Ask any Skinner Brothers fan to make a list of their top 10 favorite songs and it'll be like watching a bunch of leprechauns scrambling to count grains of salt. Go ahead, ask me how I know.

To be fair, every Skinner Brothers album has a smattering of irresistible songs that everyone loves (and Soul Boy V is stiff competition for the largest collection of fan favorites), but Soul Boy II is special. And right at the heart of this special album is 1000 Reasons Why, opening with a surge of pure, unyielding energy that refuses to let the building momentum of the rest of the album drop for even a second.

1000 Reasons Why is a whirlwind of upbeat rhythms and irresistible, catchy beats. It takes an enormous pile of raw, unfiltered emotion and channels it into a bold, refreshing sound that is completely saturated with dopamine.

Alongside other feel-good songs like Subtropical, 1000 Reasons Why is another light, fun track, bursting with sunshine that is a mandatory addition to everyone's playlist. This captivating little gem is DIY to the core, and it has an inescapable draw that compels new listeners to subscribe almost immediately. It's not asking you to dig too deep and get all caught up in your feelings, it just wants to dance! I would go as far as to say that if 'yolo' were a song, this would probably be it.

Unlike Sticky Floor or Bones that take a more hostile approach to dealing with naysayers, this song radiates optimism in the face of adversaries, opting to kill them with kindness instead of blunt force trauma. (Another subjective approach, I suppose, but effective nonetheless). It's that level of subtle effectiveness that gently reminds us not to mistake kindness for weakness, as it is still a force to be reckoned with under the right circumstances.

One of my favorite quotes is something to the effect of “the people that say that something can't be done should get out of the way of the people doing it,” and the Skinner Brothers never fail to live up to that mantra. 1000 Reasons Why bursts through the gate with a full-throttle declaration of persistence, dedication, and an inextinguishable spark that says “I'm going to do this just because you said I couldn't.”

A perfect example of that defiant stance can be seen in YouTube videos of this song being performed live—You'll either have to take my word for it or do your own research, I feel weird linking someone else's concert videos. But I assure you, they are out there for your viewing pleasure. In them you can see the passion of the crowd mirroring the track's relentless drive until the whole room is moving in waves like a tide crashing to the shore. The band's energy is unleashed like a slow burning firecracker—just light the fuse and walk away.

This song gets the party started by pairing electrifying, modern music with a touch of escapism like a fine wine at a fancy dinner. It pulses with life in a way that only indie rock can, using the vivid imagery of the lyrics to wrap you in a warm blanket of nostalgia before you get carried away by the fiercely likeable beat. It's a must-listen for anyone craving music that feels more genuine and down to Earth than the meager offerings currently available on the radio.

I'm turning over a new leaf here and I'm going to resist the urge to make a pun about how there's 1000 Reasons Why you'll love this song—you'll figure that out on your own when you listen to it. But if you haven't heard it yet, what could you possibly be waiting for? Tomorrow is never promised, so take that ominous warning as your sign to go listen to 1000 Reasons Why today!

☘️🖤

Lyrics from some Russian variant of Shazam:

I got beat up Nikes on my feet
Leather jacket and I'm on Frith Street
Waiting for my 3310 to chime
Oh, let my weekend shine
I'm living between the lines
I got the Mick Jagger swagger and I'm living on a dime
Keep your head up, oh, it will soon be summertime, oh

I don't know if you want to know
But tell me once and I say "I told you so"
Kick it with me in the moonage midnight sky
I could give you a thousand stupid reasons why

I've got deadbeats telling me don't waste my time
Boy, have you lost your mind?
I said it weren't a waste if we had a fucking time
Oh, let my weekend shine
I'm living between the lines
I got the Mick Jagger swagger and I'm living on a dime
Keep your head up, oh, it will soon be summertime, oh

I don't know if you want to know
But tell me once and I say "I told you so"
Kick it with me in the moonage midnight sky
I could give you a thousand stupid reasons why

A thousand reasons why
That I'm turning up to overdrive
Don't need your blues, I've got mine
Break on through and let it shine
Oh, let my weekend shine
I'm living between the lines
I got the Mick Jagger swagger and I'm living on a dime
Keep your head up, oh, it will soon be summer time, oh

I don't know if you want to know
But tell me once and I say "I told you so"
Kick it with me in the moonage midnight sky
I could give you a thousand stupid reasons why