With the uncertain times we are living in, there are bands like Detroit alt-rock noisemakers The Messenger Birds who have just the right words to say in songs like “Play Dead (Just For Tonight).” Today, the power-packed duo debuted the poignant single and video that touch on current themes with provocative visuals and a strong message delivered through a refined musical tone.
Like each track from The Messenger Birds, “Play Dead” offers a vignette that attempts to make sense of the surreal nature of the reality the song’s character exists in.
The band explains the inspiration behind “Play Dead”:
“‘Play Dead’ is one of the songs we were most surprised by when we wrote it. It always felt a bit haunting and intense, certainly a slight change in tone musically for us, but it is a song that we hold very close to our hearts.
Most of the lyrics were written in one afternoon while we were driving through the Appalachian Mountains on tour. Inspired by real events and conversations, the track takes a perspective on the uniquely strange, incredibly surreal, borderline dystopian times we are living in. Though we didn’t write or record “Play Dead” in the wake of this COVID-19 outbreak, the song seemed equally relevant, maybe even found new meaning over a year later.
Things have gotten real weird, to say the least. A lot is uncertain, and many people are struggling and not getting the help or support they desperately need, and it’s easy to get caught up in all the negatives. Really easy. But there are positives to be found too.
This is a time of uncomfortable isolation—we tried to highlight elements of that in the visuals we put together for this song—but despite that, people are finding creative ways to stay connected and survive this pandemic together. And if we as a global community can collectively be patient, put aside petty politics, ignore the noise, and support each other as fellow human beings, then we’re going to come out better for it.”
The single can be purchased here: https://themessengerbirds.bandcamp.com/track/play-dead-just-for-tonight.