Antony and the Johnsons - Hope There’s Someone

This first time I heard this song I was on a 5 hour-long train journey with my mum. After pressing the shuffle button on her iPod, a succession of at least a million funky songs like “Get Down on It” and “Blame it on the Boogie” blasted through the headphones. Although undeniably great tunes when you’re alone in your room with a hairbrush, having a glorious morning shower and/or reliving the days of your youth, they don’t quite cut it in the quiet section of a train after a busy weekend in a new, strange town. A new, strange town I had what felt like a minute to decide whether or not could be my new home.

Needless to say I was shocked at how I found such tenderness in my mother’s somewhat groovy, Motown-fueled collection of music. I was even more shocked at how this song instantly made my thoughts feel less tangled up and lost.

I almost cried right then and there. And by almost, I mean I may have perhaps shed a silent tear or two. Yes, in a public location. An enclosed public location. Where strangers didn’t pass by, where strangers were inches away from me.

The song embodies the most human of qualities - fear. In particular, a fear that we perhaps don’t consciously realise we have, but one that’s undoubtedly there. The fear of living or dying alone. Antony Hegarty’s voice is sublime, it makes you feel like you’re melting into nothing. There’s an incredible desperation to the tone of his voice, one that corresponds perfectly with the lyrics, and makes the song seem honest and real. The tune is comparable to actual weeping, and it’s so wonderful. The darkness, the devotion, and the intensity make this a gem - an incredibly comforting gem when it’s just one of those days. The bottom line is it’s okay to be scared - of anything - we all are.

I had to start with a sad song. Sorry. Actually, I’m not all that sorry it’s a damn good song.