Last Year

Album: Relaxer (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This tranquil track is split into two parts. The first half, sung by Alt-J's Joe Newman, deals with the last year of a person's life, as they descend into depression before committing suicide. The second half sung by guest vocalist Marika Hackman, is the song sang at his funeral.

    Keyboardist Gas Unger-Smith explained to Indie Shuffle: "The first part, where Joe is singing, is someone reading sort of literally of this decline and depression and death over the course of a year. And the final line is 'to be sang at my funeral,' which leads into this person singing at his funeral."
  • English folk-rock singer-songwriter Marika Hackman was previously one of four guest vocalists that contributed sung words to the This Is All Yours track "Warm Foothills."

Comments: 1

  • Daniel from MexicoI think he drowned in the Mississippi river... the second part she sings she selected a river with depth, and she collected stones to fill his pockets and keep him down. as to not swim back up. literaly "If it's depths to your rivers, I've picked one for you. Oh, greedy with Ss but equalled by Is
    If it's stones for your pockets, I've collected a few. To hold you down."
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Ralph Casale  - Session Pro

Ralph Casale - Session ProSongwriter Interviews

A top New York studio musician, Ralph played guitar on many '60s hits, including "Lightnin' Strikes," "A Lover's Concerto" and "I Am A Rock."

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."