Sally, Has The Wine Run Out Yet?
‘Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye)’ by Role Model leans back into intricate lyricism, accompanied by the comforting sound of soft strings and harmonic melodies, encapsulating the feelings of getting over heartbreak.
“The Longest Goodbye” opens up with ‘Old Recliners,’ which feels like sinking into a comfy seat while thinking of memories. The track opens with a reflection of a lost connection: “I remember when the days were long / Kicking heels up to a favorite song, knowing that this relationship could still have a positive history, even though there is no physical connection anymore. He follows this up with lyrics like “Do you think 'bout the nights, sharing Whitney / With the end of July in the air / Now you cry all night 'til the morning / In the arms of someone you settled for” that hone into that idea and emphasis that there will always be feelings between the two, even with a distance with the longing of time.
Once you’re comfortable in your old recliner, you may reach over for a drink. You lift your glass and see that all that is left is the contemplation of hope that a new bond will stay tight. As you bring the glass to your lips, there's a droplet of wine left, seeing as the time has run out. ‘Sally, When The Wine Runs Out’ is just that. With lyrics like “She don't dance, but she downs her drinks / Please don't go falling in love / Then disappear when the wine runs out,” it illustrates the story of a quick relationship, maybe even lesser as just a situationship, that has run its course during the duration of a bottle of wine being poured out.
He adds near the end of the song, “If you're bored and your mind starts changing / Maybe just give me a head start.” It feels inevitable that this is just a fling, but he had all the feelings or signs that this could be the one girl he needed. As the feelings of a fling fade, the feelings of past love may creep up. “Am I still worried about you? / Yes, I am, and I always will.” When old feelings arise, it is natural to have the same sense of protectiveness over a person you shared so much with; it’s second nature to be their protector.
The third track, ‘Some Protector, ’ unfolds this feeling that is known all too well. Having a connection with someone and then losing them is a challenging sense to let go of, unsure that you would ever find someone again. With lyrics such as “Am I thinking about September? / Am I lying to my mother / That someday I'll find another?” Humans were made to live with one another, and when you find someone who you think is the one, it isn’t easy to let go of.
Role Model ends his story of Kansas Anymore with ‘The Longest Goodbye, ’ which closes the door on his relationship without ignoring the history that is kept within that time. He unveils a repetitive lyric of “I don’t think I love you anymore” filtered within his retelling of past experiences and memories. “It was a Sunday morning, hanging by a shoelace” centers this storyline with a metaphor of his relationship being left by a thread. There isn’t enough length, or in this case, time, to tie up the strings and put a bow around this relationship. He ends this new era of Kansas Anymore with, “And I don't think I love you anymore / But I don't think I'll ever be so sure.” He knows there is nothing left, and the relationship chapter has come to a close, but even with all the sadness, there were good memories and a natural sense of if you know you know.
‘Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye)’ takes a deep look at the past while reflecting on the change it has made to the people surrounding it. Role Model keeps his comforting string sounds while unfolding his true hidden feelings that may not have been revealed otherwise.
