Ruarri Joseph - Hope For Grey Trousers
The second release from Ruarri Joseph's album, Both Sides Of The Coin is the lovely Hope For Grey Trousers which I just can't seem to get enough of at the moment! - Not grey trousers obviously, I'm more of a dress person.
The single tells the story of some poor unfortunate bloke who seems to be having the worst day / month / year of his life as the story goes on from his wife being in bed with next door's gas man who was 'tanned right down to the teeth' to his dog being hit by a passing train! Bad times.
The catchy sing-along-chorus would make this a perfect song to sing on open mic night and adopts the sound of a honky-tonk bar tune or at the very least, a great drinking song as men compare their life's woes.
The B-side Love You Still is the polar opposite of it's predecessor; being a downright love song. In fact, on second thoughts, it could be his response to the rubbish life he talks about in the first song, however, it's not overly inspiring, and the slow and cautious lyrics take away from the humour of Hope For Grey Trousers.
However, he redeems himself with the opening line to Goodbye Same; "Goodbye same, hello different" which pretty much sets the bar for the rest of the song, as it all focuses on the plans Ruarri Joseph has.
It's a great song that makes you realise how you can change things in life, and hopefully gives you the get-up-and-go that you've been needing for the past however many months.
Upon reflection, the single sort of tells a story, Hope For Grey Trousers - the problem, Love You Still - the feelings and Goodbye Same - the solution. Now, I could be totally making that up, but that's the beauty of Ruarri's music if you will, because you can make of it whatever you want.
Rating - 4/5
FemaleFirst - Ruth Harrison