“… it’s the anthem you didn’t know you were waiting for” / ‘Ain’t It A Shame’ by Quinlan Porteous

Damn. You know those radio-friendly rockers that creep up on you and become your inner jukebox before you know it? Quinlan Porteous delivers just that with the steady conviction of a man who clearly means what he’s singing about lost opportunities in a frayed relationship.

I’m hearing Steve Winwood, Dire Straits, and Bon Jovi as the song powers along. Mostly it’s sturdy rock with tasteful guitar throughout, and contemporary electronic touches that give it a fresh feel. But at its steady core this is a song with its heart set on a stadium and deserves to be performed in one. Hell, not just one. Lots of them on a world tour. I want my old life back, and ‘Ain’t It A Shame’ that’s not so?

In a righteous world this is a song that you’d hear in the supermarket. Playing from passing cars. Soundtracking a break-up scene sometime into the third season of a forthcoming Netflix series about two people you were really rooting for. Let’s hope that happens.

Seventh listen in a row, and I’m aware now of some of the subtleties in this powerhouse of a song. The way that guitars are layered, and the bass comes in just-so at the right time with just the amount of notes required. Keyboard washes suggesting raincloud-dappled skies Bob Ross would nod at in approval. The power of that lead playing, guitar wielded with just enough David Gilmour to present passion and skill without veering into pomp.

It’s the radio thing I keep coming back to. This is the song I want to turn up when I’m on a long journey and missing someone who matters way more than I’d let on to most people. We’ve all got someone like that. This is the anthem you didn’t know you were waiting for.

Charlie Reynolds