So often, the little things in life go unnoticed and unobserved. There's so much we take for granted, so many mundanities of day to day life we automatically absorb without stopping to think about what they actually are and what they mean. Of course, by the time we realise how important these little things are, they're gone. Canterbury's Luke Smith, with his band The Feelings - a name coined way before their atrocious singular namesake blasted their way into mainstream consciousness - is a master of transforming the commonplace and the unremarkable into something stirring and romantic.
Whether it's spending cosy days inside with the curtains shut, ruminating on the smallest insecurity, not wanting to go out to parties anymore or, of course, agonising over the small matter of unrequited love and personal relationships, Smith's incisive lyrics turn the ordinary into the extraordinary, elevating those little things into matters of utmost significance with poetic grace - and just the smallest hint of neurosis.
I've Had My Chance pontificates over the inability to flirt when the opportunity presents itself. Set to a jaunty, jazzy, piano-based upbeat pop tune, Smith's self-deprecating - and very English - observations - "Her heart was there, within my reach / When I just lost the power of speech / Oh any normal bloke would just have pounced / But no - not me!" - are permeated with a wistful melancholy that will strike a chord with anyone who's ever loved and lost (or, in this case, just lost). As much inspired by the poetry of John Betjeman and Brian Patten as the lyrics of Jonathan Richman and Stuart Murdoch, I've Had My Chance shines both lyrically and musically as an ode what could, should and would have been. It rings true with astonishingly humorous and tragic accuracy.
Words: Mischa Pearlman
See Luke Smith & The Feelings play live on Queen's Walk, South Bank, London, on Sun 5 June, 2:15pm (as part of the Festival Of Britain 60th anniversary celebration, in association with Hutstock)
I've Had My Chance by Luke Smith & The Feelings
9:57 AM | 31/05/2011
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Mischa, you have described the appeal of Luke Smith so well! "Giving it All I've Got" (is that what the song is called, hope so, I'm no good on real names for songs!) has been an anthem that has played in my head at testing moments for the last 10 years since I first saw Luke playing in the Canterbury pubs... These days, as a reformed party animal "I Don't Wanna Go to Parties Anymore" strikes a wonderful chord with me, while Luke's National Anthem is pure genius: "In England we know how to make tea, don't we!" is like a call to arms for True Brits everywhere... I hope that people seeing this piece take the opportunity to go off and explore more of Luke's work - it is just so comforting and refreshing and funny and uplifting!
Posted by Jenni at 1:51 PM | 31/05/2011 | Report Abuse
Haha, just realised that by using the phrase "call to arms" I may have may be taken the wrong way!! I was in fact meaning that in my house, a brew is the weapon of choice when attempting to fight off any variety of malady or personal demon! *blush*
Posted by Jenni at 2:05 PM | 31/05/2011 | Report Abuse
Cheers, Q. This was a new one on me. Interesting that he's a Canterbury boy. Certainly, to the roll call of Jonathan Richman (for honesty under fire), Madness (for staccato punch) and James Booker (there's blues here, too), I would add a poppy Robert Wyatt, a fabulous beast in its own right. I've just downloaded an album (his third, it says here), This Time I've Done It, and, on first listening, all I can tell you is he's not wrong.
Posted by Joseph Woby at 4:01 PM | 31/05/2011 | Report Abuse
Very tempted to travel up to London for this gig actually!!
Posted by Eva at 6:44 PM | 31/05/2011 | Report Abuse
Lo-fi Genius! If this track is anything to go by then Luke's chance is still to come! Love it!
Posted by Ben at 7:02 PM | 31/05/2011 | Report Abuse
Luke Smith is everything that is good about English Music, more of this sort of thing.
Posted by Simon at 7:13 PM | 31/05/2011 | Report Abuse
I love this band's poetic vibes! definitely going to check these guys out further :)
Posted by Jodie at 7:17 PM | 31/05/2011 | Report Abuse
I first saw Luke Smith and the Feelings (inc. Dave the Drummer!) many years ago at the excellent Truck festival in Oxfordshire - perfect music for the lazy Sunday morning.
So lovely to see Luke getting the wider recognition he deserves.
Posted by Karen at 7:28 PM | 31/05/2011 | Report Abuse
Brilliant. I've been a fan of Luke's music since first seeing him around the bars and bandstands of Canterbury the best part of a decade ago. It's so good to finally see him getting a bit of attention from the wider world - I hope this is the start of something big...
Posted by Tom at 8:10 PM | 31/05/2011 | Report Abuse
Also saw him at Truck, where he seemed to have a bit of a following, including a couple of Buzzcocks panellists. Charismatic performer, too.
Posted by Jancis at 10:39 PM | 31/05/2011 | Report Abuse
Also saw him at Truck, where he seemed to have a bit of a following, including a couple of Buzzcocks panellists. Charismatic performer, too.
Posted by Jancis at 10:39 PM | 31/05/2011 | Report Abuse
First heard him as a guest on a Jon Holmes radio show a couple of years back. Need to hear more now.
Posted by J S Furey at 10:54 PM | 31/05/2011 | Report Abuse
I love this track, it so honest, love the voice too, a breath of fresh air. I love the build up as well very exciting! Please tell me where I can find more!
Posted by Katie Bouillé at 11:46 PM | 31/05/2011 | Report Abuse
Delighted to see Luke getting some long overdue recognition. I would urge anyone to get an album (any: they're all great), wait for a really hot summer's day and just sit indoors to revel in the brilliance, without having to worry about getting burnt outside.
Posted by Rob, Southampton at 12:30 AM | 01/06/2011 | Report Abuse
In an age with bands that rely on screaming guitars and singers that repeat a single line throughout, a song such as this by Luke Smith is refreshing and as joyful as a glass of champagne at a sun-blistering festival.
What's not to admire - a playful structure that plays with your eardrums, and lyrics that not only make you think, but realise they are encapsulating your own unspoken thoughts.
Fun, fun, fun!
Posted by Paul Gray at 12:44 PM | 01/06/2011 | Report Abuse
When you see local bands, often It can be a bit hit and miss however I have found that on the occasions that I have had the pleasure to see ‘Luke Smith and The Feelings’ the gigs have had a warm atmosphere with a splash of humour to set each song off to a great start. The music is approachable, containing lyrics that most can relate to, the piano, drums and saxophone are played with great precision and endless feeling. With such a song as ‘I've Had My Chance’ the well-coordinated trio will have you tapping away to Lukes lyrics and swaying with his compositions well after the gig has ended. A must see for those looking to soak up a bit of emotion in an otherwise increasingly hard world.
Posted by Benjamin Mckee at 3:28 PM | 01/06/2011 | Report Abuse
Go Luke! Great to see so many enthusiasts making enthusiastic User Comments. It still baffles me that you are not as well known as other stalwarts of the Resistance - Suggs, Ray Davies, Betjemen et al. I mean Resistance to the temptation to Screw Up Your Face and Pretend to Be American. Oh, your healing Englishness! Go Luke!
Tim
Posted by Tim at 3:56 PM | 01/06/2011 | Report Abuse
Go Luke! Great to see so many enthusiasts making enthusiastic User Comments. It still baffles me that you are not as well known as other stalwarts of the Resistance - Suggs, Ray Davies, Betjemen et al. I mean Resistance to the temptation to Screw Up Your Face and Pretend to Be American. Oh, your healing Englishness! Go Luke!
Tim
Posted by Tim at 3:59 PM | 01/06/2011 | Report Abuse
Oh hurray! I had the pleasure of seeing Luke perform this spring in Canterbury. I love how his lyrics can be simultaneously poignant and hilarious.
Posted by Chloe at 11:12 PM | 02/06/2011 | Report Abuse
It's great to see Luke Smith getting the attention he deserves. Been a fan for years - he has just the right combination of musicality, humour, insight and emotion, and is a treasure to see live.
I'm not sure what the problem is, but Luke Smith is definitely part of the solution.
Posted by Neil H at 8:13 PM | 05/06/2011 | Report Abuse
Lovely music, lovely man. Well done Luke, you deserve all the accolade. Finally the world gets to share in your unique quirky lyrical genius!
Posted by Lydia Bevan at 10:44 PM | 05/06/2011 | Report Abuse
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