Ignored Obscured Restored
“Out of My League” by Ryan Hamilton & The Harlequin Ghosts has been in heavy rotation on Little Steven’s Underground Garage on SiriusXM radio recently. It was even featured as that station’s “Coolest Song in the World” the week of September 21st.
It is from Hamilton’s latest album, Nowhere To Go But Everywhere, on Little Steven’s Wicked Cool Records imprint. He was quoted in a press release as saying the album is “a group of songs about heartbreak and finding yourself.” He goes on to describe “… League” as “a song idea that was almost 10 years old. I found the old demo, and it rang true, considering what I was going through. So, I revisited the song, and reworked it into the version that it is now.”
What “it is now” is a power-pop classic in the same vein as tracks by Fountains of Wayne. The lyrics are so humble and self-effacing that you instantly fall in love with the singer.
She’s the prettiest thing I think I’ve ever seen.
It’s like she walked right off the cover of a magazine.
Which begs the question.
What’s she doing with me?
and
All my friends are saying she’s just looking to settle.
Guess what? I’m gonna let her.
And you feel his pride when he exclaims “I got a trophy wife!”
Ryan Hamilton & The Harlequin Ghosts are not newcomers. Their previous album, 2019’s This is the Sound, was critically acclaimed and won Album of the Year at the Independent Music Awards. That record was also a big hit in the UK where his ties are strong. The Texan’s band is from the UK and most of the new album was cut while on tour there.
Hopefully “Out of My League” will make it into heavy rotation on your playlist.
Enjoy… until next week.