Release Date:October 14, 2022 (on the album Stick Season)
Country of Origin:United States
My Thoughts:
When I first heard Noah Kahan's "Growing Sideways," it struck me as one of the most honest songs I'd ever heard.The songs talk about sorrow, mental health, and feeling stuck in place in a really honest way that makes them approachable and healing, even if they are serious issues. The song doesn't seem too polished; it sounds like a discussion between the vocalist and the listener. It provides me with comfort, as if someone else has expressed through words and sounds the emotions I was unable to articulate adequately.
The Musical Elements:
1. Melody
The vocal melody of Growing Sideways is soft and personal. Noah Kahan doesn't employ big jumps or high notes that stand out. Instead, his voice follows a straightforward, almost conversational pattern. This makes it seem like he is being honest and talking directly to the listener. Therapist James Cochran says that the song sounds like "a conversation that isn't sanitized for comfort," which makes the melody seem real and raw (Cochran). This stripped-down style makes the song's feelings more powerful for me since it keeps the tale he is delivering at the center of attention.
2. Harmony
The song's harmonies are based on guitar chords that repeat and stay the same for most of the song. The lack of dramatic changes fits the song's topic of being "stuck" and not moving forward in life. Extra Chill says that these looping chords imply "time moving forward even when the narrator feels stagnant" ("Meaning of Noah Kahan's 'Growing Sideways'"). The constant harmony gives the song a sense of foundation and inevitability that is both beautiful and sad. It reminds me of the struggle Kahan is talking about.
3. Dynamics and Texture
The changes that happen in Growing Sideways are small but strong. At first, the song is quiet and only has vocals and guitar.As it goes on, more harmonies and soft percussion are added, building up layers.The sound never really erupts, though; it only grows louder and then quieter.This cycle is like the emotional ups and downs that come with grieving and mental health problems.A review in The Spire talks about how Kahan's choice to keep the song personal, even when it's at its most full, shows "the tension between creativity and vulnerability" (The Spire).The texture feels like an emotional tide to me, going up and down without ever ending. This makes the song frighteningly real.
What Others Have Said:
Both critics and fans have said that Growing Sideways is one of the best songs on Stick Season. James Cochran said in his assessment that the song "names emotional complexity" in a way that feels true and unfiltered (Cochran). Extra Chill talks about how the lyrics talk about therapy, medication, and trauma that has been passed down through generations. These are not common topics in mainstream music, yet they speak to a lot of people.
Sounds of Saving says that Stick Season became a cultural staple because it "speaks to the mental health of young adults through powerful folk lyrics" (Sounds of Saving). This is why songs like Growing Sideways got so popular, especially on TikTok, where fans utilized the tune in millions of videos.
The album's emotional honesty also put the artist at jeopardy. In a review for The Spire, the writer said that Kahan has talked about ceasing his medicine while creating songs, which makes the music feel more authentic and vulnerable ("Album Review: Stick Season"). Finally, fan-driven review sites like MusicBoard offer Growing Sideways almost flawless scores, saying it's "super emotional" and "one of the best tracks on the record."
The song helped Stick Season's record reach the top of the charts and sell out concerts across the world. This popularity shows that there is a large audience for music that is both catchy and intensely personal.
Conclusion:
Noah Kahan's "Growing Sideways" is a great illustration of how simple musical parts like melody, harmony, and dynamics can come together with honest narration to make a song that feels very genuine. The melody is soft, which shows how vulnerable he is, the harmonies are looping, which shows how stuck he is, and the slow rise and fall of the dynamics shows how grief and healing go in cycles. Critics and fans alike have identified with the song because of how honest it is. It is a signature song for Stick Season and one of Noah Kahan's most touching compositions.
Well, I think you have given me the push I needed to start listening to Noah Kahan. I actually saw him live once, when he came out as a special guest for Niall Horan's concert at Bridgestone Arena to sing the song "This Town", by Niall Horan, together, but I kind of forgot about him. I love the relatability of this song, and he really paved the way for more artists with similar themes to become more relevant, such as Alex Warren. Your analysis of the honesty with which Kahan sings is perfect, and I believe that this turn in music is what will help our generation become more united than we have been, as we start to re-instill sonder in an otherwise apathetic world. Everything you've described about this song has been outstanding, however, even before noticing the harmony I noticed the timbre. The supporting instruments blended with a similar smooth texture, while the guitar held up the forefront and really defined this up and coming folk pop genre. Paired with the coarseness of Kahan's voice the timbre creates a bridge between modern ideology and traditional charm. This has quickly become one of my favorite genres in the past year or so, and I am looking forward to expanding it as I delve into Noah Kahans discography.
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Basic InformationTitle: Growing Sideways
Well, I think you have given me the push I needed to start listening to Noah Kahan. I actually saw him live once, when he came out as a special guest for Niall Horan's concert at Bridgestone Arena to sing the song "This Town", by Niall Horan, together, but I kind of forgot about him. I love the relatability of this song, and he really paved the way for more artists with similar themes to become more relevant, such as Alex Warren. Your analysis of the honesty with which Kahan sings is perfect, and I believe that this turn in music is what will help our generation become more united than we have been, as we start to re-instill sonder in an otherwise apathetic world. Everything you've described about this song has been outstanding, however, even before noticing the harmony I noticed the timbre. The supporting instruments blended with a similar smooth texture, while the guitar held up the forefront and really defined this up and coming folk pop genre. Paired with the coarseness of Kahan's voice the timbre creates a bridge between modern ideology and traditional charm. This has quickly become one of my favorite genres in the past year or so, and I am looking forward to expanding it as I delve into Noah Kahans discography.
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