Never in history has it been easier to share your opinions with the world. Everyone has a soapbox, and more than ever people are fearless in shouting from that soapbox. I’m not unaware of the irony of addressing that fact in what is effectively a lengthy opinion piece. In her latest single, “Opinions”, Julia Hatfield posits that we would benefit from the opinions of The Greatest Generation. Julia took lyrical inspiration from the world outside her window, and what she observed was a deeply divided country. She longs for the wisdom and guidance of folks like her grandfather (whose portrait in front of his P-38 Lightning serves as the cover art). In the chorus, she laments “The Greatest Generation has almost died out; man, could we use their opinions right now.” The musical arrangement is simple- just guitar and piano- keeping the focus where it should be: on Julia’s deeply personal lyrics and her cutting vocals. She calls to mind a young LeeAnn Womack, and there’s a hint of angst when she sings lines like “the flag stays at half-mast, it no longer soars; we’ve completely lost sight what we’re fighting for”. Julia makes her one opinion very clear in the course of three minutes and twenty-four seconds: we could all be a little bit better as a society if we took the time to learn from those who came well before us. In a world where everyone has a soapbox, she reminds us that sometimes the most powerful voices are those that echo from the past.
