Each day in December, I’ll be reflecting back on a song from the 2000’s. The decade saw the return of post-punk and the popularization of folk music, all while some of music’s biggest acts gained their indie footing. Thankfully, it’s a period that I can look back at fondly without cringing. #31DaysOf2000sSongs
So many things constantly compete for our attention. Truthfully, this even occurs at concerts. There’s what’s happening on stage, in the crowd, in the lights, in the back. But I’ve found every time my wife and I attend a Jose Gonzalez show, our full attention is fixated on the performance of his wonderfully magnetic vocals paired with exceptional guitar playing. It seems too obvious to go with “Heartbeats”. It is, after all, the song that put Jose on the map. But the song is just that good.
“Heartbeats” was originally penned by electronic group and fellow Swedes The Knife. However, Jose Gonzalez practically reinvented the song with his reflective, classical guitar approach. “Heartbeats” is life in slow motion, slow enough for us to pause and reflect on every single word and note. It’s a reminder that music can be a catalyst for so many things. The guitar part is much more complex than it sounds as Jose is playing a rhythm guitar line and bass line at the same time. The lyrics, at times cryptic, contain references to God and the devil. It’s a complex, yet beautiful song full of nuances and reflection that will likely remain timeless.
“One night to be confused. One night to speed up truth.”