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Why Can't We Work It Out Like We Used To?

by Royal Oak

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about

Why Can’t We Work It Out Like We Used To? is a pleading, heartfelt song that will strike a chord with anyone who’s watched their relationship slowly fall apart. Over minimalistic guitar-driven verses, singer Austin Ledyard longs for a way to make things work again, knowing full well that it’s too late.

Although the subject matter is less-than-cheery, the track remains danceable and fun—especially in the catchy one-line chorus, where staccato bass, guitar, and percussion parts intertwine to create a head-bobbing groove.

At 1:50, the stripped-down bridge builds to a towering crescendo that ushers in the final chorus. A bass solo at 2:30 (complete with touches of mandolin) brings the short but bittersweet song to a close.

With melancholy themes set to more optimistic music, Why Can’t We is the perfect kind of release for this time of year; the hopefulness of Spring is on its way out, but the promise of Summer is just around the corner.

lyrics

I think I’m out of touch
Don’t know what words to say
I’m talking way too much
Or that’s what you say to me

We fight, you walk away
You don’t have the decency
Can’t fight for you to stay
You always give up on me

From lovers to friends, I grew
Farther apart from you
If ‘feel’ is a word we knew
Why can’t we work it out like we used to?

Why can’t we work it out like we used to?
Yeah
Why can’t we work it out like we used to?
Yeah
Why can’t we work it out like we used to?
Yeah
Why can’t we work it out like we used to?

Your clothes lie on the floor
If only they were for me
I’ve wanted nothing more
Then just a little sympathy, oh

To make it all up with you
Just wanting to start anew
Can we please just talk it through
Why can’t we work it out like we used to?

Why can’t we work it out like we used to?
Yeah
Why can’t we work it out like we used to?
Yeah
Why can’t we work it out like we used to?
Yeah
Why can’t we work it out like we used to?

Driving all night in your Mercedes-Benz
Door was all busted so we’d hold it in
Missing those days where we didn’t pretend
That we gave a fuck for each other

Driving all night in your Mercedes-Benz
So much to tell you but I held it in
Missing those days where we didn’t pretend
But we gave a fuck for each other

Why can’t we work it out like we used to?

Why can’t we work it out like we used to?
Yeah
Why can’t we work it out like we used to?
Yeah
Why can’t we work it out like we used to?
Yeah
Why can’t we work it out like we used to?

credits

released July 21, 2023

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Royal Oak Vancouver, British Columbia

Modern pop aesthetic, wearing our indie hearts on our sleeves

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