Seven Essential Steve Songs
For those of you who don’t know who Steve Grand is, he is a
singer-songwriter and LGBT activist who hails from Illinois. The video for his first single, All-American
Boy, went viral and launched him into the spotlight in 2013. Interestingly he recorded the vocals for the
song in his parents’ basement and funded the video himself. The video follows a narrative in which a gay
man (Steve) falls in love with one of his straight friends and includes Americana
references such as ripped jeans, whisky and the 4th of July. His debut album, also titled All-American
Boy, was funded by a Kickstarter campaign and really showcases Steve’s talent
as a songwriter and singer. At the start
of his career he was labeled as a “gay country singer” and, while some of his
music has a distinct country flavour to it, that label does not accurately
reflect his range as an artist, and it is one that he has challenged from the
beginning.
According to his Wikipedia page, Steve featured on Out
magazine’s “Out 100” list of “prominent LGBT people” in 2013 and was one of the
magazine’s “Most Eligible Bachelors” in 2016 while Attitude declared him the
third “most eligible Gay Bachelor” in 2017.
Since the success of his first album, Steve has become known for his activism,
his performances at Pride events around the country as well as his summer gigs
in Provincetown not to mention his green Speedo (which deserves its own fan
page). But, with the release of his second album, Not The End Of Me, he has
proven that he is not a one-hit-wonder and much more than a pretty face.
If you are looking to get acquainted with the magic of Steve
Grand, here are 7 of his songs you must have:
All-American Boy
The song where it all began, at least for Steve Grand fans
who are also affectionately referred to as the Grand Nation. A beautifully written track with a catchy
chorus and the perfect amount of country.
In an interview with Buzzfeed, Steve describes the song as “a universal
story of longing…An 'all-American boy,' it doesn't mean 'American,' it doesn't
mean 'boy,' it just means that person that you love, and that you idealize, and
that person you ache for”.
We Are The Night
This is an anthem that promotes self-acceptance and
perseverance despite the judgement of the world. He speaks directly to “every boy and every
girl” no matter who they love as well as his “trans brothers and sisters”,
offering these inspirational words: “Today
could be our last / And we'll just live as we are / Unmoved by the darkness we
face”. DJ and remixer Dave Audé also
produced a kickass club-friendly remix of the song that you should include on your playlist.
Soakin’ Wet
Like many of Steve’s songs, Soakin’ Wet is perfect for your
summer playlist. It is a sexy pop song
about some lucky guy in a white t-shirt that he has “out on the water, soaking
wet”. I’m not quite sure what they are doing on or in the water but they are
having a lot of fun doing it.
Look Away (with Eli Lieb)
This is one of the most moving break-up songs you’ll
hear. Steve and Eli’s voices compliment
each other perfectly, creating goosebump-inducing harmonies. The lyrics speak of heartache, regret and
letting go.
Pink Champagne
The title of this track is deceptive; the champagne is not
associated with celebration. Instead, the
song draws on his personal struggles with alcohol abuse and mentions drinking
to numb the pain and seeing alcohol as a “sweet escape” from the craziness of
life. There is also a defiant toast to
those who were “cheering on his decay”: “So congratulations, you got to see
just what you came for…Watching me writhe as the vines of my own words
strangled me tighter / You like that dark and that ugly that I harbor? / I'll
raise this glass for you, Mother Fucker.”
Disciple
A haunting track with several Biblical motifs including
references to Jesus, Mother Mary, heaven and absolution. Some might find it blasphemous but they’d be
missing the metaphorical nuances of the song inter alia the need for salvation,
both spiritual and physical, resurrection and facing your demons. Jonathan Currinn, from celebmix.com, argues
that the song “stands out on the album [Not The End Of Me] both lyrically and
vocally…it’s raw emotion from start to finish.”
I agree 100%.
Don’t Let The Light In
A beautiful, piano-driven ballad also explores his past
struggles and how meeting someone special helped him deal with the emptiness
that he had been trying to fill with alcohol.
The chorus mentions staying at home on a Friday night with that special
someone, with their cell phones switched off and the radio switched on. The video includes footage from Steve’s
childhood.
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