Few styles of music can be as beautifully and powerfully emotional as a power ballad. But don’t think that I mock. However the craft of writing power ballads requires skill and great understanding; and the resulting song invokes the deepest of emotions from the listener. Even though you may have complete disregard for this graceful and elegant art form, when you are in love or broken hearted, the strains of a good power ballad in a private moment will surely send you to tears and feed you in your hunger. This is what Sarantos achieves with his latest single and video release – “You Should Be With Me (Not Him)”.
The power ballad is the vocalist’s tour de force. It is their opportunity to display the full gamut of what they do – the quiet intimate moments, the gut wrenching emotion, the powerful sustained notes and the big push at the top of their range.
The first line of a ballad is the most important because it introduces listeners to the story and reels them into the subsequent drama. “You sit under the tree wondering / Why, you’re not getting any sun?” is exactly how Sarantos captures our attention and intrigues our curiosity.
This is his story, about dealing with lost love. And it starts with the most common of feelings after falling apart – perplexity: “My words echo in your ear / They were not ever a lie / Just, just a wish of mine / But you never trusted me.”
Sarantos then moves on to the next sentiment which always hits us like a ton of bricks, and almost always is self-blame: “Every night I cannot fall asleep / My promise has become a lie / Often I think / I’m simply unlovable.” The chorus is left to reveal the disillusioned lover’s continued state of being: “You should be / You should be with me / You should be with me / Not him.” This is the part that people will be singing long after the song has finished.
Kind of mellow, yet so emotional, listeners will bask in the lovelorn brilliance of Sarantos’ latest serenade. The latest song backs the sweeping, dream-like ocean setting portrayed in the exclusive music video for “You Should Be With Me (Not Him)”. The stunning visual sequence takes the viewer and listener from heartbreak to undying devotion.
Sarantos ruminates about the effort it takes to make love last, and then the feelings one goes through when it doesn’t last. He obviously understands this kind of love firsthand. Whatever the case, dedication and commitment resounds throughout the lyrical story, despite the break-up. He’s invested in this labor of love which has now gone astray.
This is still emotionally, a serious commitment for him, hence the lines: “An ocean of truth / Lays all around you / I can’t tell you / I’m something I know I’m not / But there’s always a space / In my heart for something more / I’m madly in love, with you.”
Hopeless romantics, or jilted lovers and husbands everywhere, can totally relate to the kind of devotion and disappointment described in this song, by a great songwriter and performer.
OFFICIAL LINKS: Sarantos Website – Facebook – Twitter – Google+ – YouTube – iTunes – Vimeo – Reverbnation – Soundcloud
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