When you think of your favourite song or one that really resonates with you, you usually feel something in it like it has spoken directly to your situation and life. Like someone heard your story and made it palatable and into a harmony instead of the dilapidated state you saw it as, a hole in your chest or a dark corner of your closet.
Jack Garrett does something else with this tune, The Love You’Re Given. I feel for him, you hear this song and you feel empathy. Most people are no stranger to feelings for someone who is not interested and who cannot be bothered with your love. Like it is a lesser love. But he is not asking for it here. This is a plea and you feel for him in this. Like watching a little bird try and outrun the cat. The cat doesn’t give a shit. It could just be for sport, but the bird may not fly again after this.
But your ego won’t let you love
And your fear is your downfall
If you won’t take the love you’re given
Then at least let me go”
I heard this song for the first time as he played this in a dusk filled, light-pierced tent at a hot, substance soaked festival in London. He plays the whole thing, layering sounds, emotions one after the other to create the etherial sound and heavy hearted lyrical journey.
The songs do that, it is emotionally taxing in the best way possible. It is a story you have heard or felt. People understand this state as much as the state of someone loving you or grief when someone dies, we also know this is much worse. It is the state of limbo in love with no solid ground. It is a place in your head which is worse than the shaken grounds of love or a foundation of something. It is only worse because the end is not definite.
I’ve been trying to give you my love
But you won’t let me, won’t let me
I’ve been trying to give you some space
But you won’t let me, won’t let me
I’ve been trying to save you the trouble
But you won’t let me, won’t let me
I’ve been trying to give you my love
But you won’t let me, won’t let me”
If you have not had the pleasure, look up his next show. It is transcendently moving and content all the same.