That Sound

Album: Dead Boys EP (2018)
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Songfacts®:

  • Newcastle born and bred singer-songwriter Sam Fender was raised surrounded by music; his father Alan was an amateur musician who regularly spun discs by Aretha Franklin, Joni Mitchell and David Bowie. By the age of 14, Sam was writing his own songs. "That Sound" is a celebration of music.

    When my head comes crashing down
    They're all waiting at the bottom tryna claw me down beneath it all
    Every night I beg that sound
    It's the greatest revelation
    It's the only thing that keeps me grounded


    Fender told BBC 1's Annie Mac: "Music was always ever present when I was growing up, and it's continued to be the most important and intrinsic part of me. It kept me from going off the rails as a kid and it gave me rare purpose and self-confidence that I couldn't find from anything else."
  • The song is also a poke at those who doubted Fender would make it in the music business.

    Loaded vampires butter me up
    Drop names and sniff up residue whilst boasting about their revenue
    At home I face these green-eyed beasts
    Everybody wants to leave but no one wants to see you do it


    Fender explained "That Sound" is "a not-so-subtle middle finger to the naysayers that tend to rear their heads as soon as things start to work out for you, especially back home."

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