Notion (The Rare Occasions song)
| "Notion" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by The Rare Occasions | ||||
| from the EP Futureproof | ||||
| Released |
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| Recorded | 2016 | |||
| Genre | Indie rock, indie pop | |||
| Length | 3:15 | |||
| Label | Elektra | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Brian McLaughlin | |||
| Producer(s) | Steve Sacco | |||
| The Rare Occasions singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Notion" is a song by an American indie rock band The Rare Occasions, written by lead singer Brian McLaughlin.[1] It was first released in 2016 on Futureproof EP.[2] The song got viral on TikTok in October 2021 and topped the Viral 50 – USA Spotify chart.[3] Popularity of the song led the band to release it as a single.[4]
Composition
Song opens with riff, which was intended to be played on piano, and instead played by orchestra, written by singer Brian McLaughlin and arranged by McLaughlin and Luke Imbusch.[5] Chord progression in the verse is B minor seventh and F-sharp minor, played by McLaughlin on rhythm guitar. Two chords are added (A Major and F augmented) before Jeremy Cohen's bass, Imbusch's drums and Peter Stone's lead guitar step in, to play the same progression. Stone plays same notes as McLaughlin's vocals, with chorus pedal, creating backing vocals effect.
After second verse, instrumental break happens, notable by Cohen's melodic playing. Verse repeats, and succeeded by an A major chord played on the 14 fret by McLaughlin. Previous verse progression is replaced with A Major, C-sharp, D major and D minor. Song ends with a McLaughlin singing high note and Stone's continuing note.
Meaning
"Notion" is about a religion, or specifically, not believing in it. The opening lines ("Sure it's a calming notion, perpetual in motion, but I don't need the comfort in any lies") describe how religious texts calm people, though what it tells might not be true.[1] Mitch Mosk of Atwood Magazine said next about the meaning in his 2016 EP review: "Life has its ups and its downs, but that isn’t a reason to not live each day to our fullest potential."[6]
Reception
"Notion" entered UK Top 75 chart for two weeks, and peaked at 72.[7]
Personnel
The Rare Occasions
- Brian McLaughlin – lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar, orchestral arrangement
- Peter Stone – lead guitar
- Jeremy Cohen – bass guitar
- Luke Imbusch – drums, percussion
Technical
Technical personnel per Discogs.[2]
- Maria Rice – mastering
- Steve Sacco – production, mixing, recording
- Mitchell Haeuszer – recording
References
- ^ a b "The Rare Occasions - Notion Lyrics". Genius. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
- ^ a b "The Rare Occasions - Futureproof". Discogs. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
- ^ Wasylak, Victoria (October 18, 2021). "Boston Thriving: The Rare Occasions top Spotify's 'Viral 50 – USA' chart". Vanyaland. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
- ^ "Notion -Single by The Rare Occasions". Spotify. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
- ^ "The Rare Occasions "Notion" (Oh back when I was younger) - Intro Breakdown".
- ^ Mosk, Mitch (August 11, 2016). "Our Take: Daring and Depth on the Rare Occasions' "Futureproof" EP". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
- ^ "RARE OCCASIONS full Official Chart History". Official Charts. Retrieved March 28, 2022.