Really Great

Album: Steadman's Wake (2021)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • After a 20-year studio break, The Connells returned with their ninth studio album, Steadman's Wake. Its lead single, "Really Great," is a tongue-in-cheek response to the not-so-great state of the world in 2021.

    "'Really Great' is told from the point of view of someone who is going through a less than 'really great' time, between external stuff like global pandemics and global warming and political turmoil, as well as more personal stuff," Mike Connell, the band's leader and primary songwriter, told Songfacts. "So, that would be the 'never-ending, mind-bending turnstile' and 'thunder-clapping, soul-sapping whirlwind.' But between a favorite old song and a beautiful day and someone to share the experience with, the person singing the song is seeing 'clear skies and sunshine.'"
  • Longtime Connells fans will notice something different on this upbeat guitar track. Says Connell: "All major chords here, which doesn't happen very often with my songs."
  • Founded in North Carolina, the band became regulars on college radio after the release of their debut album, Darker Days, in 1985. To coincide with their comeback album in 2021, they issued their debut album on streaming platforms for the first time.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Joe Ely

Joe ElySongwriter Interviews

The renown Texas songwriter has been at it for 40 years, with tales to tell about The Flatlanders and The Clash - that's Joe's Tex-Mex on "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Cy Curnin of The Fixx

Cy Curnin of The FixxSongwriter Interviews

The man who brought us "Red Skies" and "Saved By Zero" is now an organic farmer in France.

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.

Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root

Michael Glabicki of Rusted RootSongwriter Interviews

Michael tells the story of "Send Me On My Way," and explains why some of the words in the song don't have a literal meaning.

Colbie Caillat

Colbie CaillatSongwriter Interviews

Since emerging from MySpace with her hit "Bubbly," Colbie has become a top songwriter, even crafting a hit with Taylor Swift.