Their songs are melodic with catchy songwriting, honest and accessible lyrics and an energetic and unforgettable live experience. They take classic themes like life, loss and love and twist them just enough to make them unique and creative. The opening line, "All at once, the shadows come, they're replacing what used to be" from their new single "One by One" shows that lyricist, Craig Whitaker of Quick Step John spends more time looking forward than in the past. "Anything could hide in a shadow...something terrible, or something terrific," says Whitaker, "either way, the future is so much more exciting than last week or last year."
The album shows the bands musical range with powerful songs, from the piano driven ballad "Sing" to the rock sound of "By Surprise" to the eerie dark sound of "9.9". Their songwriting style has been compared to the Counting Crows and Ben Folds, combined with the biographical lyrics of Dashboard Confessional and Jimmy Eat World, mixed with the guitars and pianos from U2 and Coldplay.
Since the release of their album the band has appeared on WSTW in Delaware, Radio 104.5 (WRFF) in Philadelphia, NBC Philadelphia 10! Show and Jamnow.com. Their single "One By One" also was featured on NBC's ER (Thursday 11/08).
One By One
Quick Step John Lyrics
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The lyrics of Quick Step John's One By One convey a sense of disillusionment and frustration with the passing of time and the changes it brings upon people and their relationships. The sudden appearance of shadows symbolizes the loss of familiarity and comfort, as everything that was once familiar is replaced by something new and unknown. The phrase "one by one" is repeated throughout the song, signifying the slow but steady erosion of meaningful connections with people and places that were once important.
The song seems to be an address to someone who the singer believes has captured the essence of their experiences and emotions in their writing. The line "you must have figured it out and wrote it all down for the world to see" suggests that the person addressed is a writer who has documented their interactions and feelings in a way that is accessible to others. However, despite admiring their ability to express themselves, the singer seems to feel misunderstood and unheard. They express a desire for the person addressed to "listen" to them and to recognize the value of their own perspective.
The final lines of the song, "taking all writing and I'll throw them all away, until you learn how to listen to me," indicate that the singer will not accept being ignored or dismissed any longer, and they will take drastic action to ensure that their voice is heard.
Line by Line Meaning
All at once the shadows come, they’re replacing what used to be.
The darkness swiftly takes over and takes the place of things that once were.
One by one, I’m overrun…a forgotten place in history.
Slowly but surely, I am being overwhelmed and left behind, left to be forgotten by time.
You must have figured it out and wrote it all down for the world to see.
You seem to have solved the problem and documented it publicly for everyone to know.
Flipped the cassette in your mind, to go back in time when this was all easy.
You mentally rewound to a simpler time and made it seem easy.
We talk we talk about everything, why are we here again?
We have discussed everything before, why are we revisiting the same topics?
I don’t, I don’t think we should be having this much trouble…this much trouble.
I don't believe we should be having this many difficulties, over and over again.
Keep me in, safe in your skin…you say to me so quietly.
You urge me to stay close and protected, in a hush.
One by one, I’m overrun…the books you write all are mysteries.
One by one, I am being overtaken, and the books you author all contain enigmas.
I have figured you out. I’ll write it all down and make sure you see.
I have unraveled your secret, and I will jot it down to ensure you are aware.
That you wish for a time machine, to cross all the seas and travel back and discover me.
You desire a device to move in time, to traverse oceans, and unearth me from the past.
I’ve read everything you written, everything you said. I’m taking one for the team…that’s me.
I have read every word you have penned, every utterance you have made. I am taking responsibility for the situation.
Taking all writing and I'll throw them all away, until you learn how to listen to me.
I will collect all written works you have authored and discard them until you hone your listening skills.
Contributed by Penelope D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.