Worry is a powerful emotion. It has the power to consume you from the ground up. It begins with as a mental phenomenon with a racing mind. It turns physical when symptoms such as stomach aches and sweaty palms take effect. I am speaking from experience as I am not particularly adept at the skill of “just letting it go.” I share this trait with Thea Wang. In her song, “Word on the Street,” she is worrying about a rocky relationship. Wang uses the song as a way to unpack her negative feelings and attempt to give herself reassurance.
The music and lyrics present opposing forces. The primary instrumentation used in the song is a peaceful acoustic guitar strum. In contrast, Wang is singing about worry which is anything but peaceful. I thought these elements fit well together. It is an illustration of the phrase: “opposites attract.” Another aspect of the song that I enjoyed with Wang’s voice. It was rich and blended with the melody. Additionally, I liked the track’s usage of harmonies, especially the “oohs” that occur after the third verse. I know they seem insignificant. However, I feel that they could indicate the slow passing of time. Immediately before the harmonies, Wang asks, “how long?” It is as if she is waiting for the worry feeling to go away.
If you want to hear more of Thea Wang, you should check out “Tell Me About It.” It is similar to “Word on the Street” in that it contains a peaceful guitar strum and Wang’s rich voice. Even so, its mood is a little more positive because she is looking back on fond memories rather than worrying. She sings about summer and how short it seems. I don’t know about you, but I can’t believe it is already June!
Written By Kelli Dixon
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