Somebody Else

Shortly after Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye) was released, Role Model released a Spotify Singles cover of “Somebody Else” by The 1975 on Spotify Singles. The original version of “Somebody Else” is a slower and sort of technical track that has recognizable hits of synth notes. It is a very repetitive and routine track. The tone of the track implies a story of two people that have fallen out of love. The man does not care for the woman anymore, yet he still does not want her moving on to anyone else. The bridge of the original track strikes me as a back and forth of someone’s thoughts after a relationship. At first asking, “Get someone you love? Get someone you need?” (in a low voice), as a clear thought which shows priority that the lost love must be replaced. Also posing the lines as questions reveals the uncertainty of the solution. This line being responded to with “Fuck that, get money” (in a higher voice), shows the person shaking off the original question of replacing a lost love and instead focusing on more universal happiness such as being rich. It shows a back and forth with the low voice insisting and finding love and the high voice insisting on focusing on materialistic gifts. For me, this exhibit creates a visualization of a broken person with an angel and devil on each of their shoulders. Both extremes in the mind trying to convince someone what to do next after losing someone they loved that once took up most brainpower. Where should we shift our focus? Love or money? 

Role Model, on the other hand, covers this song with a more optimistic sound. His cover comes in with a swaying drum beat and an alternating piano chord progression. Making the choice to use a clear sounding piano is almost opposite to the sad sounding synth that is used in the original track. Even the way that Role Model enters in with a stronger and clearer sounding vocal instead of the sort of muffled and whispering tone that The 1975 uses, tells us that this cover will inflict a different feeling. The message is the same as the original song (lyric wise), yet when he covers it, it sounds way more upbeat and positive. Almost to the point where he seems excited about his once lover finding a new person to spend time with. Especially when we enter into the bridge, the original song has a more somber and casual tone. But, when Role Model goes into the cover of the bridge, he is almost presenting it as a chant that people can sing along to. Adding in his classic adlibs like, “hey!”, “oh!”, and “yeah!” make the song more fun and upbeat rather than a heartbreaking end to a relationship. The build up in the drum encourages people to dance and sway to this sad message. 

Role Model consistently uses this tone of a kind of humor, as well as higher tones to mask the real pain that he feels from losing his relationship. He does this often on Kansas Anymore and he mirrors it in this cover. This was a perfect piece to release as a last lick of the Kansas Anymore chapter.