Welshly Arms owes its unique sound to the collective influences of rhythm and soul, rock and roll, and a hint of classic jazz/blues. From Jimi Hendrix to The Temptations; from Otis Redding to Howlin’ Wolf, the band’s love affair with retro and contemporary work brings a new sound with songs like “Two Seconds Too Late” and “The Touch”.
The band’s musical origins can be traced as far back as early childhood. Sam’s father, a music enthusiast and drummer, had a guitar in Sam’s hands by the age of 6. By the time he was 14, Sam was headlining clubs in the Cleveland Blues circuit and opening for acts like “Peter Green” of Fleetwood Mac and “Mick Taylor” of the Rolling Stones. At about the same time, Jimmy was playing with the Cleveland Youth Orchestra and guitar/bass in various rock bands. “Mikey” was honing his chops in local rock and punk groups, as well as his high school marching band while Brett spent his time mastering his quickly growing repertoire of classic jazz.
“In high school, when I discovered and truly understood jazz, I realized there was a whole different way to play the piano, and that all the rules I learned as an early player didn’t apply,” commented Brett about his early playing.
Eventually, Sam, Mikey, and Brett would meet each other through their local church and began playing Sunday services together. After a few years, the three of them decided to pursue their own creative path. Their individual stories would overlap as Sam, Jimmy, and Mikey played together as part of the Cleveland rock band, Cactus 12. Brett, Sam, and Jimmy then toured the country with various renowned singer/songwriters over the next five years.
Their paths crossed again in the summer of 2011. One afternoon, Sam Getz invited Jimmy, Mikey, and Brett over for what was initially an opportunity to catch up. A few friendly gathering turned into hours of jamming and writing. These jams would help form the foundation for what would become “Welshly Arms
Welshly Arms’ other love is their hometown – Cleveland, OH. The town’s rich musical history is full of great artists who have inspired them, like “the Ojays,” “the James Gang,” and “the Black Keys.” Being home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame doesn’t hurt either. With a varied culture that spans from the Westside to the Eastside of the city, Weshly Arms pays respect to its hometown by writing, producing, and recording all of their material in Cleveland.
When asked what best describes their musical approach, Brett had this to say:
“There is both a human element and spontaneity that we attempt to portray in our music. Listen to many current artists and attend their live shows and much of it can’t be translated. There is a need for it (what we do).”
Never Meant to Be
Welshly Arms Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Open up now, breathe it in. How's it do ya?
So hard to see they put a name on me.
Make it dirty. Wash it clean. Must be perfect in between.
Never meant to be that way
Never meant to be
Play every game. They're all the same
Cast the die. Count the dots. Here it comes now.
Head in my hands. My circumstance.
Got a lonesome older soul. Told my heart that it's losing control.
Never meant to be that way
Never meant to be
Never meant to be that way
Never meant to be
So unafraid. Got a mind that's made
So so gentle, but kinda rough. Never ever get enough.
Never meant to be that way
Never meant to be
Never meant to be that way
The lyrics to Welshly Arms' song "Never Meant to Be" are about feeling trapped and suffocated by societal expectations and labels. The first verse introduces the idea of opening up and breathing in, but being judged and labeled regardless of behavior. The second verse talks about the pressure to be perfect, to wash away the dirt and the imperfections. In the chorus, the repetition of "never meant to be that way" highlights the feeling of being stuck in a situation that wasn't intended or desired.
The second half of the song focuses on playing games, being stuck in circumstance, and feeling like an old soul. The line "never ever get enough" suggests a desire for something more, but feeling unable to break free. The final verse ends on a slightly more positive note, with the singer claiming to be unafraid and having a mind that's made, but still feeling a sense of restlessness.
Overall, the lyrics convey a feeling of being trapped and struggling against expectations, while also acknowledging a desire for something more.
Line by Line Meaning
Draw back your shades. Don't misbehave
Open yourself up to the world and don't hold yourself back from experiencing new things.
Open up now, breathe it in. How's it do ya?
Take a deep breath and allow yourself to feel the emotions that come along with new experiences. How does it make you feel?
So hard to see they put a name on me.
It's difficult to remain true to oneself when society has labeled and put people into boxes.
Make it dirty. Wash it clean. Must be perfect in between.
People often try to fit others into a certain mold or stereotype, leading to unrealistic expectations and unnecessary pressure.
Never meant to be that way
Things might not have turned out as expected, but that's okay because everything happens for a reason.
Play every game. They're all the same
Life is full of challenges and obstacles, but ultimately they're all just part of the same game.
Cast the die. Count the dots. Here it comes now.
Take risks and embrace the unknown, because life is unpredictable and full of surprises.
Head in my hands. My circumstance.
Sometimes life can be overwhelming and it's okay to take a step back and reassess your situation.
Got a lonesome older soul. Told my heart that it's losing control.
Despite being young, sometimes people feel like they've experienced more than their fair share of life and it can be difficult to maintain control of their emotions.
So unafraid. Got a mind that's made. So so gentle, but kinda rough. Never ever get enough.
Despite the challenges, people are capable of incredible things, always pushing themselves to the limit and never content with the status quo.
Contributed by Aaliyah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.