Unique

Album: The Bright Side (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Australian singer-songwriter Lenka reunited with Jason Reeves, the co-writer of her breakthrough 2008 hit "The Show," to write this folk-pop celebration of individuality. She sings about the quirks of her personality that make her different from most people - she's happy to be sad and feels lonely in a crowd - but comes to the conclusion that it's okay to be unique:

    I like to move around to different beat
    I'll walk away then smile in my own street
    And I don't really mind when you are fake
    'Cause I am me and that's unique
  • "It's actually hard to write a whole song about being unique!" Lenka admitted. But the subject matter resonated with many of her fans, who approached the singer after shows to share their appreciation.

    "They really feel like it's an anthem for them, particular people who don't feel like they fit in," she told The Jakarta Post in 2015. "A lot of people with disabilities, people from the transgender community … people with Down syndrome persons in their families and people who are not feeling good about themselves."
  • Making The Bright Side, her fourth studio album, was also challenging because Lenka didn't want to leave her toddler son to travel all over the world to meet with songwriters and producers, so most of the collaborations were done remotely - except for this one. She met up with Reeves in person for a songwriting session on the beach in California.

    "I went out to Malibu, and we sat on the sand with a guitar. He started smashing out some chords," she recalled. "We did the song together, and I went back to Australia and finessed it."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

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.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.