In 2006, Holcomb married his longtime friend and singing partner, Ellie Holcomb (nee Bannister), and relocated to her hometown of Nashville. The rest of the band, guitarist Nathan Dugger, bassist Rich Brinsfield, and drummer Jon Radford also lived in the same East Nashville area, hence the group name.
Their albums include "A Neighborly Christmas" (2007), "Passenger Seat" (2008), "A Million Miles Away" (2009), "Chasing Someday" (2011), "Through the Night: Live in the Studio" (2012), and "Good Light" (2013).
Bittersweet
Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors Lyrics
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Everyone is trying to make a little noise.
Everyone is listening, nothing to say.
Everyone is dying to give themselves away.
All of the pretending, all the pseudonyms,
Play it like a board game, sing it like a hymn.
It's bittersweet.
Every curtain falls eventually.
A big year in the headlines, you finally got your shot.
Tough year in the bylines, no one read the plot.
Big year at the box office, everyone's at your show.
Strange year on the home front, nobody knows.
Finally found your wheels kid, take em for a spin.
Play it like a board game, sing it like a hymn.
It's bittersweet.
It's bittersweet.
Every curtain falls eventually.
You better take a picture, you better write it down.
What you always wanted, won't always be around.
It's bittersweet.
It's bittersweet.
Every curtain falls eventually.
In these poignant and introspective lyrics of Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors' song "Bittersweet," the band delves into the universal themes of life's fleeting nature, the contrast between public success and personal struggles, and the inherent paradoxes of existence.
The opening lines capture a sense of collective energy and activity, as everyone, regardless of age or gender, is engaged in their own pursuits and seeking recognition and validation. Despite the outward expressions and attempts to draw attention, there is an underlying feeling of emptiness or lack of genuine connection, where individuals have a desire to be heard and seen but struggle to truly express themselves.
The mention of pretending and pseudonyms suggests a theme of masks and facades that people often adopt in their interactions with others or in the pursuit of their goals. The comparison of life to a board game and a hymn highlights the duality of playfulness and reverence, possibly pointing to the different ways in which individuals navigate their experiences and relationships.
The recurring refrain of "It's bittersweet" serves as a powerful anchor throughout the song, emphasizing the mixed emotions that come with both success and failure, joy and sorrow. The idea of curtains falling symbolizes the inevitability of endings and transitions in life, reminding listeners of the impermanence of all things and the cyclical nature of experiences.
The final lines reinforce the idea of impermanence and the importance of cherishing moments and memories, as what is desired or achieved today may not be present tomorrow. The bittersweetness of life's experiences is encapsulated in the concluding statement that every curtain falls eventually, underscoring the fleeting nature of time and the need to appreciate the journey, despite its ups and downs.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Cason Cooley, Drew Holcomb
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind