Convention

Album: Crushing (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is a sarcastic swipe at strangers who impart uninvited advice. Julia Jacklin explained to Uncut magazine: "Any artist who sits at their own merch table gets unsolicited advice. Sometimes people only seem to know how to interact by telling you what you should be doing. On guitar, with your voice. And honestly, it's always men. Always. And no, it's never usually helpful. But I pretend it is to make it stop."
  • "Convention" is the only track on Crushing that was influenced by political events. Jacklin explained to DIY magazine that she remembers listening to the radio in her mom's kitchen when Trump was announced as the Republican presidential candidate.

    "I just remember this feeling of dread even though I didn't think he would win," she said. "I just thought, oh please don't give people like this a microphone, a platform when there are so many other voices from people that have actually done the work and have important, hopeful, helpful things to say that need to be amplified and listened to."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Bill Withers

Bill WithersSongwriter Interviews

Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."

P.F. Sloan

P.F. SloanSongwriter Interviews

P.F. was a teenager writing hits and playing on tracks for Jan & Dean when he wrote a #1 hit that got him blackballed.

Grammar In Lyrics

Grammar In LyricsMusic Quiz

Lyrics don't always follow the rules of grammar. Can you spot the ones that don't?

Barney Hoskyns Explores The Forgotten History Of Woodstock, New York

Barney Hoskyns Explores The Forgotten History Of Woodstock, New YorkSong Writing

Our chat with Barney Hoskyns, who covers the wild years of Woodstock - the town, not the festival - in his book Small Town Talk.

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)Songwriter Interviews

Richie talks about producing the first two Kiss albums, recording "Brother Louie," and the newfound appreciation of his rock band, Dust.