When an artist writes a song, they probably have a set idea as to what it is about and why they felt the urge to write it in the first place. But as with all art, and music as much as any other form, there are probably subconscious thought processes, unseen influences and a sense that songs can actually take on a life of their own at work, too. For this reason, songs sometimes reveal a different meaning or relate to various situations, often long after the creative process has birthed the song.
And that is what has happened with Smell The Roses, the latest one from The Silverbeets. The song feels, in the general sense, to be about living in the moment, making the most of each day as its is granted to you, and remembering just how short a time we have on this earth. It is a reminder to make the most of that time afforded to us and to stop and smell the roses. As Buddha reminded us, travelling well is better than arriving.
But with the passing of dear friend and original band member Jamie Scott at the start of this year after a long battle with cancer, the song took on a much more specific meaning, especially given his all-too-young age.
And so, this lilting and lovely slice of understatement evolved from a gentle reminder into a celebration of the life of someone taken far too soon. As the beats tick along and dexterous, finger-picked notes cascade from the guitars, as the bass line adds melodic depth and deftness, and the vocals wax lyrical, this now very personal message also reveals itself to be universally relatable, too.
Indeed, there is no time like the present, just as there is no present like time. Carpe Diem.