Covid-19 took a toll on all of us. We sat around all day, with nothing to do but stare at the wall and watch TV. For more than a year, people were spending whole days on a couch and working or learning on little computer screens.
While most of us were lazy and sluggish, and even a little sad, praying for the world to go back to normal, folk singer and songwriter, Noah Kahan, had a “new perspective.”
While most of the world stopped, Kahan took the loneliness and sadness and used it to write music. When the pandemic called Kahan back to his hometown, Stafford, Vermont, he spent just one-week writing and producing his five-song album, “Cape Elizabeth.”
Along with songs from “Cape Elizabeth,” Kahan will be performing his favorites on his 2024 “We’ll All Be Here Forever” tour. Because of the upcoming tour, I will be breaking down some of my most listened-to songs from the setlist.
“Cape Elizabeth” is a fictional love story, influenced by the charming New England town in Maine, which Kahan would like to visit someday. Although he takes pride in this album and the story behind it, only one song from “Cape Elizabeth” will be performed on the tour, which is coincidentally called “Maine.”
Personally, “Maine” doesn’t appeal to me like Kahan’s other songs do. For starters, the introduction to the song is 1:11 long, consisting of folk-type music and Kahan humming.
Aside from the way-too-long entrance into “Maine,” its lyrics aren’t anything special either. Unlike the style that Kahan usually sings in, this song’s lyrics are about a person that he misses and hopes to see soon. Because of the popular love songs people listen to nowadays, sappy lyrics are heard too much, and “Maine” is nothing new. This song is probably a 5/10.
On a happier note, nine of the set list songs are from his well-known (and also my favorite) album “Stick Season.” Those include “Northern Attitude,” “Stick Season,” and “Everywhere, Everything.” “Stick Season” was Kahan’s third album and, I think, the album that describes him as a person. The lyrics and notes behind each song link together to create beautiful stories.
When listening to Kahan’s music, I feel like you are not just hearing it, but feeling it. He shows his thoughts and feelings tremendously well through his lyrics, and even the tone of his voice expresses his emotions.
The first song of Kahan’s that I ever listened to was “Northern Attitude,” which is about growing up and fearing the loss of any relationship. You can find the lyrics, “If I get too close, and I’m not how you hoped, forgive my northern attitude. Oh I was raised out in the cold,” embedded in the song quite a bit. I also just love this song because of the energy it gives off. “Northern Attitude” gets a 9/10.
Another great song from the “Stick Season” album on the setlist is the title track “Stick Season.” The song is set in Vermont, describing the bare trees and cold weather once “the season of the sticks,” or autumn comes around.
The clever lyrics and music that perfectly accompany each other make up my all-time favorite song. An example of those lyrics is: “You once called me forever, now you still can’t call me back.” I would give this song a 10/10.
Side note: If you love “Stick Season,” I would advise you to listen to the Olivia Rodrigo cover of it.
Moving on to “Everywhere, Everything.” The song has the sweetest message, and this is the song that made me believe that Kahan is a lyric mastermind.
In this masterpiece, Kahan sings, “It’s been a long year and all of our book’s pages dog eared. We’ll write out the ends on our palms, dear. Then forget to read.” I love how Kahan says normal things in the most poetic and difficult ways.
Kahan wrote this piece of music to express that people should be living life to their fullest, and I think that message is great for songwriting. Without hesitation, “Everywhere, Everything” receives a 10/10.
On the other hand, there are a couple of other songs on the set list that are not from “Cape Elizabeth” or “Stick Season” that can easily be forgotten by me. These include “False Confidence” and “The View Between Villages.” Neither sticks out to me.
If I’m being honest, I’ve given both of these songs a try multiple times, and it didn’t work. Although “Growing Sideways” gives a deeper meaning of growing up and dealing with trauma, the song itself isn’t catchy or nice to listen to. They are low on the Kahan list for me. Both would get 4/10, or maybe even a 3/10.
Out of the whole set list, I would say that about 85% of the songs are worth listening to and may change your view on the sappy love songs you normally hear on the radio.
Although I did not get tickets for the tour myself, I truly wish that I could attend. Kahan is such an amazing artist and human being. When checking his Instagram page, you can see that he isn’t like other celebrities. He posts and shares his normal life and thoughts, just like he does through his music. Plus, he takes such pride in the music he makes, and I respect him for that.
I can guarantee that if you are looking for a low-key, fun concert to go to with your friends, or even just by yourself, Kahan’s “We’ll All Be Here Forever” tour is for you.
