I Don't Know How To Reach You

Album: Night Thoughts (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Several of the songs on Night Thoughts were inspired by Suede frontman Brett Anderson's relationship with his children and how that mirrors his own relationship with his parents. He told NME: "Having a child myself made me think about my role as a son. Songs like 'I Don't Know How To Reach You' are almost a comment on my and my own father's relationship, how these relationships break down. Inevitably there's an element of looking back at the past."
  • Anderson told The Sun: "Lots of the songs on the album, like 'I Don't Know How To Reach You,' are from my father's point of view about losing touch with me. How as you get older and you are not a little boy anymore and go into teenagehood, your relationship with your parents changes. Mine certainly did. I was a grumpy teenager."
  • Brett Anderson told Mojo: "'I Don't Know How To Reach You' is almost from my own father's perspective, addressing this fear of losing contact with his son. Parenthood gave me something to access that wasn't this over-Xeroxed version of what Suede songs should be about. It's awakened all these memories, things I haven't felt about 30, 40 years. Just lifting your kid up under his arms, I felt this ghost doing the same for me."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

La La Brooks of The Crystals

La La Brooks of The CrystalsSong Writing

The lead singer on "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Then He Kissed Me," La La explains how and why Phil Spector replaced The Crystals with Darlene Love on "He's A Rebel."

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Lajon Witherspoon of Sevendust

Lajon Witherspoon of SevendustSongwriter Interviews

The Sevendust frontman talks about the group's songwriting process, and how trips to the Murder Bar helped forge their latest album.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

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