Today’s Song of the Day Challenge is “A song by a band you wish was still together.” It’s always sad – or at least bittersweet – when a favorite band of ours calls it quits. Rather than choose a song from one of the great bands of the past, such as the Beatles, Doors, Led Zeppelin, Eagles, etc. – as the idea of any of them getting back together is either impossible or preposterous – I thought I would pick a song from a smaller, more-recent band. A handful of bands I’ve featured on this blog over the past 4 1/2 years have later parted ways for one reason or another, and one that hit me hardest was the dissolution in 2018 of Kansas City rock band Run With It.
The band consisted of Miguel Caraballo on lead vocals and guitar, Ben Byard on bass and backing vocals, and Daniel Cole on drums, and they were an engaging trio and excellent musicians who played as a tight unit. They were one of the first bands to follow me on Twitter in late 2015, and also one of the earliest bands I featured on this blog, first in February 2016, then again in April 2017, when I reviewed their excellent EP How to Start a Fire. One of the songs on that EP was “I Need a Light“, a gorgeous, uplifting song of hope. Thankfully, they’ve kept the video for the song on YouTube.
Also thankfully, Miguel is continuing as a solo artist under the name Just the Miguel. What band do you wish was still together, or would you like to see reunite?
1. ON HOLD – The xx (1)
2. LOVE ON THE BRAIN – Rihanna (2)
3. HOT THOUGHTS – Spoon (6)
4. LOVE IS MYSTICAL – Cold War Kids (5)
5. HEAVYDIRTYSOUL – twenty øne piløts (3)
6. HOW DID YOU LOVE – Shinedown (7)
7. HUMAN – Rag’n’Bone Man (4)
8. WOLVES – Wide Eyed Boy (9)
9. BELIEVER – Imagine Dragons (11)
10. SHAPE OF YOU – Ed Sheeran (8)
11. LOST ON YOU – LP (13)
12. BLAME – Bastille (15)
13. GREEN LIGHT – Lorde (16)
14. SIGN OF THE TIMES – Harry Styles (N)
15. THAT’S WHAT I LIKE – Bruno Mars (12)
16. COLD COLD COLD – Cage the Elephant (18)
17. RUST TO GOLD – Council (10)
18. SOMETHING JUST LIKE THIS – The Chainsmokers, Coldplay (20)
19. MIDDLE FINGERS – MISSIO (N)
20. I NEED A LIGHT – Run With It (14)
The gorgeous “On Hold” by The xx knocks Rag’n’Bone Man’s “Human” off the #1 spot after a 3-week run. Rihanna climbs to #2 with her magnificent soulful throwback song “Love on the Brain.” “Heavydirtysoul” is in the Top 20 two years after “Tear In My Heart” made it’s debut, showing the astonishing staying power of twenty øne piløts’ brilliant album Blurryface. Run With It’s “I Need a Light” spends its 15th week in the Top 20, the longest-running song on this list. And the collaboration “Something Just Like This” by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay debuts at #20.
1. ON HOLD – The xx (3)
2. LOVE ON THE BRAIN – Rihanna (5)
3. HEAVYDIRTYSOUL – twenty øne piløts (4)
4. HUMAN – Rag’n’Bone Man (1)
5. LOVE IS MYSTICAL – Cold War Kids (6)
6. HOT THOUGHTS – Spoon (9)
7. HOW DID YOU LOVE – Shinedown (8)
8. SHAPE OF YOU – Ed Sheeran (2)
9. WOLVES – Wide Eyed Boy (10)
10. RUST TO GOLD – Council (7)
11. BELIEVER – Imagine Dragons (11)
12. THAT’S WHAT I LIKE – Bruno Mars (14)
13. LOST ON YOU – LP (19)
14. I NEED A LIGHT – Run With It (15)
15. BLAME – Bastille (17)
16. GREEN LIGHT – Lorde (18)
17. 7 – Catfish and the Bottlemen (12)
18. COLD COLD COLD – Cage the Elephant (20)
19. SHINE – Mondo Cozmo (13)
20. SOMETHING JUST LIKE THIS – The Chainsmokers & Coldplay (N)
Run With It is one of the hardest-working bands I know. The Kansas City three-piece has been touring and gigging throughout the Midwest, East Coast and Southern U.S. nearly non-stop since Summer 2016 – even playing a concert at Doha Air Force Base in Qatar! – yet somehow managed to also record a superb new EP How to Start a Fire, which dropped on March 24. I’ve been following them for quite a while, and featured them on this blog in February 2016. The band recently signed with the Southern Valley Record label, and I’m thrilled to see their star grow.
Making the music are Miguel Caraballo on Lead Vocals and Guitar, Ben Byard on Bass and Backing Vocals, and Daniel Cole on Drums. (Ben replaced Clint Velazquez who left the band last September to devote his full attention to his Base Academy of Music.) They play accessible pop-rock that draws influences from rock’n’roll, alternative rock, R&B, folk and even a bit of blues. Their song lyrics touch on oft-covered themes of life, love, and relationships, as well as the struggle to find one’s own truth and way in the world.
Photo by Chris Mullins Photography
The EP opens strong with the gorgeous rock song “I Need a Light,” which was released as the first single. The track’s arrangement and production values are perfect, and together the dynamic instrumentals and strong vocals create an incredibly tight, compelling song. Musically, the song begins with a lovely piano riff that continues on and off throughout the track, then heavy bass, thunderous percussion and dreamlike synths take over, accompanied by intricate guitar work. Miguel’s impassioned vocals rise and fall with the music’s intensity, and the powerful guitar solo toward the end gives me goosebumps every time.
The emotionally hard-hitting lyrics speak to feeling lost and alone, in search of a path forward and someone who can be counted on: “I need a light so bright that the sun seems dim. I need something that will not fade. Held tight like the hand of a friend. I need someone that won’t runaway.”
I love this song, which has spent 15 consecutive weeks on my Weekly Top 20 Chart.
On the pleasing track “Don’t Waste My Time,” the guys skillfully mesh delicate circular piano movements with a lovely guitar riff. I’m impressed by the generous use of the piano in their music, giving it a fuller, highly melodic sound. Also, some of their songs have an anthemic quality, with complex, layered instrumentals and soaring choruses. A good example is “Time,” a track with beautiful music that contrasts with biting lyrics about how the passage of time can be cruel: “Time, she’s a liar, a thief. Her teeth in my flesh, How do I get free. Blood, the taste in my mouth. Her bloody fist, gonna knock me out.” Another is “One More Fight,” an uplifting song with a sweeping melody and some terrific bluesy guitar riffs, not to mention Miguel’s heartfelt vocals.
“Move On” speaks to letting go of a failed relationship and moving on. Again, beguiling piano, layered guitars and just the right amount of percussion make this a great track. The infectiously upbeat “On Your Own” has a bit of a folk-rock vibe, with robust acoustic and electric guitars, and Miguel’s earnest vocals expressing the hopeful lyrics: “There’s a song deep in your heart. It’s like a raging lion is gonna tear you apart.”
How to Start a Fire is a well-crafted EP with six solid tracks, and I look forward to hearing more from these busy guys. They’ve already begun working on new music for us fans to enjoy.
1. HUMAN – Rag’n’Bone Man (1)
2. SHAPE OF YOU – Ed Sheeran (2)
3. ON HOLD – The xx (3)
4. HEAVYDIRTYSOUL – twenty øne piløts (4)
5. LOVE ON THE BRAIN – Rihanna (5)
6. LOVE IS MYSTICAL – Cold War Kids (8)
7. RUST TO GOLD – Council (7)
8. HOW DID YOU LOVE – Shinedown (10)
9. HOT THOUGHTS – Spoon (14)
10. WOLVES – Wide Eyed Boy (12)
11. BELIEVER – Imagine Dragons (13)
12. 7 – Catfish & the Bottlemen (9)
13. SHINE – Mondo Cozmo (6)
14. THAT’S WHAT I LIKE – Bruno Mars (16)
15. I NEED A LIGHT – Run With It (11)
16. I FEEL IT COMING – The Weeknd, Daft Punk (15)
17. BLAME – Bastille (20)
18. GREEN LIGHT – Lorde (N)
19. LOST ON YOU – LP (N)
20. COLD COLD COLD – Cage the Elephant (N)
Rag’n’Bone Man’s awesome song “Human” spends a second week on top, while Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” holds at #2. Rihanna, The Weeknd and Bruno Mars all have fantastic songs with a retro R&B vibe. Spoon’s “Hot Thoughts” debuts at #14 and Bastille is back with “Blame,” which debuts at #20. Finally, the Lumineers’ “Cleopatra” spends its 24th week on my Top 20.
1. HUMAN – Rag’n’Bone Man (1)
2. SHAPE OF YOU – Ed Sheeran (2)
3. ON HOLD – The xx (4)
4. HEAVYDIRTYSOUL – twenty øne piløts (5)
5. LOVE ON THE BRAIN – Rihanna (6)
6. SHINE – Mondo Cozmo (3)
7. RUST TO GOLD – Council (8)
8. LOVE IS MYSTICAL – Cold War Kids (10)
9. 7 – Catfish & the Bottlemen (9)
10. HOW DID YOU LOVE – Shinedown (12)
11. I NEED A LIGHT – Run With It (7)
12. WOLVES – Wide Eyed Boy (15)
13. BELIEVER – Imagine Dragons (17)
14. HOT THOUGHTS – Spoon (N)
15. I FEEL IT COMING – The Weeknd, Daft Punk (14)
16. THAT’S WHAT I LIKE – Bruno Mars (20)
17. STILL BREATHING – Green Day (11)
18. SCARS TO YOUR BEAUTIFUL – Alessia Cara (13)
19. CLEOPATRA – The Lumineers (16)
20. BLAME – Bastille (N)
1. HUMAN – Rag’n’Bone Man (2)
2. SHAPE OF YOU – Ed Sheeran (3)
3. SHINE – Mondo Cozmo (1)
4. ON HOLD – The xx (5)
5. HEAVYDIRTYSOUL – twenty øne piløts (8)
6. LOVE ON THE BRAIN – Rihanna (16)
7. I NEED A LIGHT – Run With It (7)
8. RUST TO GOLD – Council (9)
9. 7 – Catfish and the Bottlemen (13)
10. LOVE IS MYSTICAL – Cold War Kids (14)
11. STILL BREATHING – Green Day (4)
12. HOW DID YOU LOVE – Shinedown (17)
13. SCARS TO YOUR BEAUTIFUL – Alessia Cara (6)
14. I FEEL IT COMING – The Weeknd, Daft Punk (15)
15. WOLVES – Wide Eyed Boy (19)
16. CLEOPATRA – The Lumineers (10)
17. BELIEVER – Imagine Dragons (20)
18. WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE – Adele (11)
19. BLOOD IN THE CUT – K.Flay (12)
20. THAT’S WHAT I LIKE – Bruno Mars (N)
1. SHINE – Mondo Cozmo (1)
2. HUMAN – Rag’n’Bone Man (2)
3. SHAPE OF YOU – Ed Sheeran (4)
4. STILL BREATHING – Green Day (3)
5. ON HOLD – The xx (11)
6. SCARS TO YOUR BEAUTIFUL – Alessia Cara (7)
7. I NEED A LIGHT – Run With It (8)
8. HEAVYDIRTYSOUL – twenty øne piløts (9)
9. RUST TO GOLD – Council (10)
10. CLEOPATRA – The Lumineers (5)
11. WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE – Adele (12)
12. BLOOD IN THE CUT – K.Flay (6)
13. 7 – Catfish & the Bottlemen (14)
14. LOVE IS MYSTICAL – Cold War Kids (15)
15. I FEEL IT COMING – The Weeknd, Daft Punk (16)
16. LOVE ON THE BRAIN – Rihanna (N)
17. HOW DID YOU LOVE – Shinedown (N)
18. ATLAS, RISE! – Metallica (13)
19. WOLVES – Wide Eyed Boy (N)
20. BELIEVER – Imagine Dragons (N)
1. SHINE – Mondo Cozmo (2)
2. HUMAN – Rag’n’Bone Man (3)
3. STILL BREATHING – Green Day (1)
4. SHAPE OF YOU – Ed Sheeran (6)
5. CLEOPATRA – The Lumineers (4)
6. BLOOD IN THE CUT – K.Flay (5)
7. SCARS TO YOUR BEAUTIFUL – Alessia Cara (8)
8. I NEED A LIGHT – Run With It (9)
9. HEAVYDIRTYSOUL – twenty øne piløts (11)
10. RUST TO GOLD – Council (12)
11. ON HOLD – The xx (13)
12. WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE – Adele (14)
13. ATLAS, RISE! – Metallica (7)
14. 7 – Catfish and the Bottlemen (16)
15. LOVE IS MYSTICAL – Cold War Kids (19)
16. I FEEL IT COMING – The Weeknd, Daft Punk (18)
17. DON’T WANNA KNOW – Maroon 5, Kendrick Lamar (10)
18. SQUARE HAMMER – Ghost (15)
19. MY NAME IS HUMAN – Highly Suspect (20)
20. TAKE IT ALL BACK – Judah & the Lion (17)
1. STILL BREATHING – Green Day (3)
2. SHINE – Mondo Cozmo (4)
3. HUMAN – Rag’n’Bone Man (7)
4. CLEOPATRA – The Lumineers (1)
5. BLOOD IN THE CUT – K.Flay (5)
6. SHAPE OF YOU – Ed Sheeran (6)
7. ATLAS, RISE! – Metallica (2)
8. SCARS TO YOUR BEAUTIFUL – Alessia Cara (11)
9. I NEED A LIGHT – Run With It (10)
10. DON’T WANNA KNOW – Maroon 5, Kendrick Lamar (8)
11. HEAVYDIRTYSOUL – twenty øne piløts (16)
12. RUST TO GOLD – Council (13)
13. ON HOLD – The xx (18)
14. WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE – Adele (15)
15. SQUARE HAMMER – Ghost (9)
16. 7 – Catfish and the Bottlemen (17)
17. TAKE IT ALL BACK – Judah & the Lion (12)
18. FEEL IT COMING – The Weeknd, Daft Punk (19)
19. LOVE IS MYSTICAL – Cold War Kids (20)
20. MY NAME IS HUMAN – Highly Suspect (14)
ECLECTIC MUSIC LOVER 