Really Great

Album: Steadman's Wake (2021)
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Songfacts®:

  • After a 20-year studio break, The Connells returned with their ninth studio album, Steadman's Wake. Its lead single, "Really Great," is a tongue-in-cheek response to the not-so-great state of the world in 2021.

    "'Really Great' is told from the point of view of someone who is going through a less than 'really great' time, between external stuff like global pandemics and global warming and political turmoil, as well as more personal stuff," Mike Connell, the band's leader and primary songwriter, told Songfacts. "So, that would be the 'never-ending, mind-bending turnstile' and 'thunder-clapping, soul-sapping whirlwind.' But between a favorite old song and a beautiful day and someone to share the experience with, the person singing the song is seeing 'clear skies and sunshine.'"
  • Longtime Connells fans will notice something different on this upbeat guitar track. Says Connell: "All major chords here, which doesn't happen very often with my songs."
  • Founded in North Carolina, the band became regulars on college radio after the release of their debut album, Darker Days, in 1985. To coincide with their comeback album in 2021, they issued their debut album on streaming platforms for the first time.

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