The leaves are yellowing, the sun is setting earlier as the days go by and there’s a slight chill in the air. Fall is here, and just in time for the season, Searows dropped a new single.
“toothache” is a sonic deviation from Searows’ discography. The folk and country inspirations woven throughout create a song with a warm twang that sounds different but fits Searows very well. The song has an autumnal feel, perfectly matched for a cozy season.
The song tackles an experience many people can relate to — the fear of how others perceive you. There is a version of ourselves that we want to push forward, but do others see you that way? Who do the people in your life think you are? In the end, who will you turn out to be? “toothache” begins with guitar strums and lyrics revolving around the existence of a “sweet” side of Searows’ personality.
“There is a part of me somewhere that is entirely sweet /
Though I am not really sure if it’s a part I still need /
And what’s the worst thing about me being so weak? /
I have a permanent toothache and a cut in my cheek”
Toothaches can happen if one eats too much sugar, and hard candies can create cuts when eaten. Through this line, Searows equates being sweet to being weak.
The chorus features an alluring banjo line along with cozy vocal harmonies. The lyrical content also takes a turn.
“And I don’t think it’s worth a damn /
What you think about me now /
I could ask you who you think I am /
But I don’t really want to find out”
This change in thought takes the previous lines about not liking certain aspects of personality and fearing what one will become and flips it on its head. The chorus reels back the previous mindset of insecurity. “toothache” turns into a song about not caring what one person or others think of you, and if they do have thoughts, then why care about their opinions? Only you know who you are deep down, not anyone else.
“toothache” is a song about overcoming the fear of what someone thinks of you. It shares this message through a soft, rustic composition and a great guitar solo at the end. Something about the song oozes the feelings of an autumn walk through the everchanging leaves, so if you’re feeling that slight chill in the air, I recommend giving “toothache” a listen.
