Hey guys, gals, & non-binary pals!
It's been a while, huh? If you're receiving an email update that I have risen from the dead and decided to take to the ol' keyboard again to write some wonderful posts for you all, howdy! I've missed writing on Record Scratch and I'm beyond happy to be back.
This semester has been very difficult for me both mentally and academically. Completing a year of college completely online is a feat that I would not even wish on my worst enemy. For those of you who successfully completed 'online school', I'm proud of you. And for those of you who attempted and failed, or knew yourself well enough to skip the experience, I'm proud of you too. This year has been difficult for all, and it's been tough looking to the 'good days'.
This cleverly-placed segue brings me to our Hot Takes topic this week: the "Good Days" Effect. The "Good Days" Effect directly references SZA's hit song, "Good Days", which was released Christmas Day 2020. So, why still talk about it?
There's something special about this track; something few songs have been able to achieve, and especially songs in the R&B genre. I'm talking about timelessness.
When we think about timeless tracks, we begin to name off rock-n-roll classics from the 70s, 80s, & 90s. The names Queen, Bon Jovi, Journey, and others flood our mouths and we begin spitting off memories associated with these tracks from countless points in our lives, dubbing the songs 'timeless'. It seems, for us, that the criteria for timelessness falls into two categories: age and nostalgia.
So, how does SZA create this feeling of nostalgia in a song that was only released in 2020? What makes it so timeless?
Let's get into it!
On December 25, 2020, SZA gifted us with a priceless present: "Good Days".
From its immediate release, I must admit that I geeked. Hardcore geeked. I'm not even a diehard SZA fan, but I know a good song when I hear one. And just as the title suggests, "Good Days" is indeed good.
However, it's not just 'good'. In fact, using such a miniscule descriptive word doesn't even do this track justice. "Good Days" is perfection.
Ephemeral perfection.
"Good Days" begins with one of the most angelic music phrases. Upon the first note, you're instantly transported to a space of true tranquility, as SZA paints a twirling scene of strings, sweet harmonies and the sounds of chirping wildlife. It's a phrase you might hear at heaven's pearly gates, perhaps. There's something whimsical about this entrance that pushes you to a place of bliss, and it's clear as the song progresses why SZA creates this sense of peace within her track.
The angelic feel never wavers, as SZA enters with her sweet, honey-like voice, guiding us on a journey of self-confidence and positivity. She sings about letting go of negativity and building a positive mindset, relying on the 'good days' and making your own 'good days' when things go south. Her lyrics are inspiring, uplifting, and real, and they only deepen the feeling of pure bliss that SZA creates from the very beginning of this track.
Though the beginning phrases and lyricism are impressive and dream-like, the real pieces of power within this track are the harmonies. Through her verses, SZA sings alone, representing her journey to self-love and positivity, but that soon changes during the chorus, as she is joined by the harmonic genius himself, Jacob Collier. If you thought the song was near perfection already, Collier pushes it over the edge into a realm of ephemeral beauty. His deep vocal range paired with SZA's silk-like vocals is simply breathtaking, and it would be impossible to not to recognize their collaboration as anything less than a match made in musical heaven.
The aspect I love most about Collier's addition to this track is that, though he is ridiculously talented, he does not steal the show. There is never a point where I feel like his harmonies are too much and that they drown out SZA's talent. They are simply a tasteful addition, and I applaud his ability to support an artist's vocals without overpowering the track. Even his feature at the very end of "Good Days" is nothing but captivating, as he leads us through melodic harmonies that glide bilaterally through the key, and dip us into a pool of peace and tranquility.
The real magic behind "Good Days" is it's ageless quality; it never gets old. Though this song was released in December 2020, I don't think a day goes by that I don't listen to this track at least once. Seriously. It's always on my mind. The song itself is also rather simple. The instrumentation is quite sparse, besides a few soft strings and a simple beat. If SZA adds any other instruments, as she does later in the piece, they fit seamlessly to the overall tranquil feel of the piece.
So what's so special about "Good Days"? It's all in the effect it has on its audience.
It seems, no matter the day, that "Good Days" becomes a mental reset for myself, just as it was a mindset shift for SZA herself. From the first note, I'm engaged in a meditation experience, and it feels, for once, that I am truly taking my first real breath. It seems as if each ray that the sun provides has chosen to shine on me and only me, and that its warmth radiates into my soul, providing me with positive energy and self-worth. Each harmony greets me like an old friend, taking my hand and guiding my thoughts to ones that self-soothe instead of self-sabotage. The sweet, soulful blend of both SZA and Jacob Collier's vocals swirl me 'round and 'round, and leave my ears dancing. When the melody finally slows and the track slowly ends, I'm left with bittersweet bliss.
This deep spiritual connection to a song doesn't happen often for many viewers. Most of the time, it comes after listening to a track countless times over multiple periods of one's life. They say that the songs that make up the "Soundtrack of Your Life" (aka the songs that grow with you in each period of your life) are the most special to you.
So, how does SZA create this in a 4-and-a-half minute song from 2020? Well, it all boils down to vulnerability.
As I mentioned prior, the instrumentation of this track is ridiculously simple. Like very simple. A simple bass line encased with a soft repetitive strings pattern is the meat-and-potatoes of the piece. Even when Jacob Collier enters with his harmonic abilities, his contribution is flavorful, yet seemingly simple. As SZA sings a melody that utilizes mostly steps up in the scale, Collier mirrors in the harmony, adding a few of his own touches but overwhelmingly being guided by a rather simple melodic rhythm. This claim is not meant to discredit Collier and SZA's abilities to harmonize, but rather to point out that when talented artists tone down their harmonization or instrumentation, it usually was a strategic stylistic choice, which will guide to a deeper meaning after more in-depth review of the piece. With rather exposed vocals, soft instrumentation, and simple harmonies, I believe the reason "Good Days" has such a profound effect on its listeners is through its vulnerability.
Vulnerability is present throughout the entire piece. At the beginning, SZA speaks of her dream to be on "[her] empty mind shit" and seems to be discussing her difficulties with an ex-partner. She guides us on her journey of letting go of toxicity and focusing on herself, as she says phrases like, "I need rest," "got me a war in my mind," and "gotta let go of weight, can't keep what's holding me". For an artist, these are vulnerable feelings to admit to an audience, and, most certainly, to oneself as well. She continues, stating that her journey to focus on the 'good days' is "[her] cross to bear alone". By the end of the piece, we see her capable of ignoring these toxic situations and choosing positivity and self-worth above all other things in her line, "I choose not to respond".
But, perhaps, SZA's most poignant point lies in her final lines: "Half of layin' waste to our youth, it's in the present / Half of us chasin' fountains of youth and it's in the present now". In these lines, SZA calls her audience out for their inability to lay and sit in the present, making 'good days' for ourselves when things go poorly. This lesson speaks volumes to the type of culture we as Americans find ourselves in. Rather than relishing in the aftermath of a situation, whether that be a relationship, conflict, or simple interaction, and feeling our negative emotions, we simply wish for 'better days' down the road and look to the future as some sort of savior. The piece of 'youth' that she speaks of often guides our decisions to look to the future, as it is an immature, 'youthful', action to run away from conflict and turmoil. In reality, what we should be doing is sitting in these emotions and allowing ourselves to feel both the negative and positive weight of the situation before moving on to the solution phase. Within the solution phase, we can begin to dismantle the situation and look at it through a lens of positive learning, rather than negative condemnation, which can guide us in how to move forward in future situations similar to the one we just experienced.
The secret to "Good Days" isn't its profound use of musical elements, instrumentation, or outrageous lyrics, but rather, its ability to showcase vulnerability in a simple, human way. It's the way that evokes such a strong emotion that draws its listeners home--the most 'present' one can be--upon first listen and for many other listens beyond. So, the next time you listen to "Good Days" and feel an overwhelming sense of tranquility, positivity, and bittersweet joy, know that those emotions were done in part of SZA and Jacob Collier's genius, and The "Good Days" Effect.
Peace.
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