The Good Life- Valencia

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I worked very hard to write this and put a lot of thought and creativity into it. I have been to very few shows and attend little to none most of the time because I can't afford ticket money. Winning this contest would provide me with the opportunity to experience a year of live music. If you are trying to help me win, I can't thank you enough. If this happens for me, I can only promise you that you will be rewarded with my unique write ups from experiences that YOU helped make happen.

I highly suggest listening as you read:

This song is so incredibly fitting for summer. It will never be tired out, overplayed, or become annoying to any pop-punk loving listener.

I barely got to sleep last night. But don't worry girl...I still had that dream again: That dream where I am in a perfect world with perfect blue skies...where no ones dies and we spend forever living in love. Nothing can be better than a perfect world with a perfect girl. We'd have so much time living out the good life. It's the good life.

This opening line of the song is what summer is all about: sleepless nights, pleasant dreams with the occasional dose of rest, and the idea of and fascination with a perfect world. Shortly after (vocalist) Shane Henderson mutters the words it's the good life, a steady up-tempo beat in an easy listening 4/4 is started, accompanied by the constant strumming of guitars and a good solid bass line. The musical interlude that appears before the first verse arrives is very simple, yet musically pleasing. There's something about the way the chord progression sounds that makes you want to roll down the car windows, turn up the volume, and get lost in the music.

From the moment my feet touched sand to the perfect skies up in the tall mountains. It felt so good to roll the windows down and drive these roads until we'd find ourselves. Then we'll go back to the life we want to lead. Yeah, we'll go back to the way things used to be. We'll find a way to make it right and live our lives. Step by step, we'll make it as we sing.

 The first verse is one of my favorite parts of the whole song, and almost perfectly describes my feelings about summer. From sandy beaches to tall mountains, the lyrics are not only describing beautiful outdoor landscapes, they are describing particular scenes that are fantastic places to be in the summer time. Rolling down car windows and taking long drives, taking the time to find yourself and just break away from your everyday life- those are all excellent lyrical aspects that describe the perfect summer.

Don't ever forget all the sleepless nights we stayed up late until the sun would rise. No matter how far you get, I'll be a step behind to catch you when you fall down.

The chorus of this song is not lengthy like in most other songs, but it gets the message across in a very appropraite manner. A story of two people in a relationship looking back on all of their summer memories, and how it created a bond between the two of them. It's such a fantastic line because there surely are many people who can relate to the lyrics.

I've met great friends, I've seen great times. I've been in love and I've seen love die. But nothing's as good as when I close my eyes and feel that road that's led me through this life. It's a good life that's kept me on my feet. It's a good life when I'm living in a dream where I'll take a chance on every breath like it's my last. Step by step, we'll make it as we sing.

This is the second verse, where we are taken through a person's life, and all of their experiences. They've seen the good and bad, but the journey through all of it has kept them going. They're appreciating their life- living freely and having a good time doing so. That kind of feeling and lifestyle always reminds me of summer, just living your life up and taking chances.

I packed my bags, I was on my way home. I was 400 miles away from being back inside your arms...it's where I always wanted to be.

The bridge gives me a visual of summer ending- coming home and going back to the way things used to be- but in a positive aspect. Being safe and back with someone you love and care about, and having a good feeling as your days of summer come to an end.

(And) with the return of the chorus, it's showing that even though summer has ended, there will always be great times to look back on that you will never forget.

 I barely got to sleep last night. But don't worry girl...I still had that dream again.