Reach Out

Album: The Center Won't Hold (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • After Sleater-Kinney went on a hiatus in 2006, band member Corin Tucker took a regular job working for her father in marketing and web design. When her dad's company was bought by a big corporation, she was let go. This stormy power ballad finds her singing of the depression this brought about.

    Reach out, the darkness
    Is winning again
    Reach out and see me
    I'm losing my head


    "My brain went: argh, too much," she recalled to The Guardian. Tucker added good came out of it as it gave her the freedom to be 100% an artist again.
  • "Reach Out" was recorded for The Center Won't Hold. The album was produced by Annie Clark, who is professionally known as St. Vincent. Corin Tucker and her bandmate Carrie Brownstein were full of praise for Clark's contribution towards the album.

    "Annie became a really strong, almost old-school producer," recalled Tucker to Q magazine. "When I first had the lyrics [for 'Reach Out'] they were more metaphorical and Annie was like I think it could be a lot clearer. She really challenged me to rewrite that song. She encouraged me in a way that didn't make me feel defensive. It was so fun to be pushed like that by someone I respect and come out with a stronger song."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Gary Louris of The Jayhawks

Gary Louris of The JayhawksSongwriter Interviews

The Jayhawks' song "Big Star" has special meaning to Gary, who explains how longevity and inspiration have trumped adulation.

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.

TV Theme Songs

TV Theme SongsFact or Fiction

Was a Beatles song a TV theme? And who came up with those Fresh Prince and Sopranos songs?

Michael Sweet of Stryper

Michael Sweet of StryperSongwriter Interviews

Find out how God and glam metal go together from the Stryper frontman.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."