“Killer” by Nathan O'Regan – A Song Feature

 

    Appropriately, the track from Nathan O'Regan begins with a killer rhythm section. The percussion during “Killer” is invigorating. Although it isn’t apparent without listening closely to the lyrics, the song is a tribute to strong women. O’Regan and co-writer Gareth Dunlop explain that they are both with strong life partners who have positively affected the men they are now. Thus, the lyric “She was the death of the old me // Takes credit for the man you see.”
 
     “Killer” is a fusion of Southern Rock and Rhythm & Blues, with a dose of Americana. That blend hints of places like Nashville, Tennessee, but Nathan O’Regan was born in Cork, Ireland. He is currently based in Belfast, as is Gareth Dunlop.
 
     The chorus of “Killer” emphasizes there is no doubt about the verdict “Bang to Rights, she’s guilty as charged” (note: in some areas, the expression is instead “Dead to Rights). She put an end to the worst parts of her love interest (the entertaining official video is embedded at the bottom of this post).
 
     Quoting an explanation of the song:
      “Killer” was written by O’Regan with fellow Belfast-based musician Gareth Dunlop, a close friend and mentor, and recorded at Attica Studios in Donegal, run by Villagers guitarist Tommy McLaughlin. The song’s theme came from a discussion the two had about their life partners.
  “Gareth and I have incredible, fierce women in our lives and we were joking about how we both need that from time to time” explains Nathan. “It’s like dealing with an assassin – they kill all the worst parts of you, and leave you with the bits they like the most.”
 
     Last year O’Regan signed to the Belfast-based independent label Zenith Cafe. “It feels like a momentous thing. I’ve been working towards this for almost half my life. It feels like an introduction of sorts, or starting from the very beginning.”
 
     “Killer” by Nathan O'Regan

“Killer” Availability: https://linktr.ee/nathanoregan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathanoreganmusic/
Website: https://www.nathanoregan.net/

Lyrics of “Killer” by Nathan O'Regan
Bang To Rights, But I had it coming
Bang To Rights, She’s guilty as charged
Bang To Rights, But I had it coming
The way I was is only dead
Because she’s a killer
 
She killed the liar
She killed the cheat
A quick-draw shooter couldn’t get close to her
When she gunned down the worst of me
 
She let the good survive
The bad don’t make it out alive
She’s a killer
 
She killed the coward
She killed the crook
Put them 6 feet under for an eternal slumber
When she got me on the hook
 
She was the death of the old me
Takes credit for the man you see
She’s a killer
 
Bang To Rights, But I had it coming
Bang To Rights, She’s guilty as charged
Bang To Rights, But I had it coming
The way I was is only dead
Because she’s a killer
 
She killed the loser
She killed the fool
Killed them in cold blood face down in the mud
To be kind, she had to get so cruel
 
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
She took down everyone but us
She’s a killer
She’s a killer
 
Bang To Rights, But I had it coming
Bang To Rights, She’s guilty as charged
Bang To Rights, But I had it coming
The way I was is only dead
Because she’s a killer
She’s a killer
 
Bang To Rights, But I had it coming
Bang To Rights, She’s guilty as charged
Bang To Rights, But I had it coming
The way I was is only dead
Because she’s a killer
She’s a killer
She’s a killer
She’s a killer

“Runaway” by Dakota 66 – A Song Feature

     "Runaway" thrives on bold, riff-heavy guitar and emotionally charged lead vocals. Just when it seems the song has revealed all its enticing tricks, Dakota 66 elevates the experience with choir-like backing vocals, adding elegance and enhancing texture.

     The song’s guitar work is reminiscent of another Dublin-based guitarist. During the 1980s, The Edge frequently played a Fender Stratocaster on the album “Joshua Tree.” The chiming guitar of Dakota 66 shares similar characteristics. While we did find the embedded photo of the guitarist on the Fender Strat among the promotional materials for “Runaway,” we quickly admit to being far from infallible in distinguishing among guitar sounds. Dakota 66 is composed of J Gallagher (vocals), Brian Grace (guitar), Brian Curran (bass), and Thomas Leonard (drums). The band is preparing to release its sophomore album in the Spring of 2025. 
 
     The band describes “Runaway” as an anthem that captures the spirit of unwavering friendship and the virtue of staying true to your beliefs - “While many shy away from facing tough situations, this track emphasizes the strength of standing by people we care for in times of hardship.” Thus, the song explains:

I wanted to be there

There by your side

When everything comes crashing down

Caving in

Falling to the ground

I want to be there

 
     Then, at 2:19, the lyrics promise (with punctuation from the choir):

You don’t have to make me stay

I’ll be there for you today

I’ll back you to the end of time

I won’t run away run away now

Run away run away

 
     Quoted below is a well-written and interesting description of the song:
   Blending intense guitar riffs with commanding vocals, “Runaway” delivers a sound that is both urgent and emotionally charged. The track’s driving rhythm propels its message of resilience forward, mirroring the unwavering devotion at its core. It conveys the intensity of standing by someone in their hardest moments, sticking by them through thick and thin, no matter the obstacles. With its anthemic chorus, “You don’t have to make me stay, I’ll be there for you today, back you to the end of time, I won’t run away,” the song presents a punch that is impossible to ignore. It captures the moment when a true friend stands firm against adversity, championing a cause that may make others uncomfortable,” reveals frontman J Gallagher. “It’s a tribute to the courage required to support one another and the strength to uphold our convictions, no matter the challenges we face.”
 
     “Runaway” by Dakota 66   

Song Link: https://vyd.co/Dakota66Runaway
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567063709194
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dakota66_band/

“Can't Do Without You” by Pink Turns Blue – A Song Feature

 

     The Germany-based trio continuously exhibits lyrical intelligence with political, social and ecological awareness. Pink Turns Blue is a Post-Punk force, tackling subject matter that includes troubling bonds with others and with our environment. Their single “Can't Do Without You” addresses the current almost-worldwide tendency to disrespect/discard/disregard opinions unless they are aligned with our own.

     Succinctly, "Can't Do Without You" is a song about the increasing polarization of society, the counterproductive nature of dismissing opposing viewpoints, and a plea for unity and understanding in a world marked by division.

     The song is one of eleven from the 2025 album “Black Swan,” which is a term used for a highly improbable event with severe consequences, where the event is difficult to predict beforehand but often seems obvious in hindsight. The album can be purchased via the usual platforms, including Bandcamp (https://pinkturnsblue.bandcamp.com/album/black-swan). The Spotify stream of "Black Swan" is embedded at the bottom of this post - below the lyrics of "Can't Do Without You."
 
     In an interesting explanation of “Can’t Do Without You,” the band said:
  “The world is becoming more and more divided. More and more energy is being spent on advocating different world views and political emphasis. It's about asserting one's own point of view, and the other person is simply wrong. He is too stupid, too gullible. Or is either manipulated by the media, the elite, the ideology, or a racist, nationalist, sexist who is easy prey for conspiracy theories and populism. But that doesn't lead to anything, except anger, disappointment, blockage. We can only really win as a team by not calling each other's point of view wrong, but by designing a common target landscape and working out the most viable solution possible for everyone. For well-being we need peace and security. We must get along.
  ‘It doesn't work without you.’”
 
     Pink Turns Blue was formed in 1985. The current members of the Berlin-based band are Mic Jogwer (vocals, guitar), Luca Sammuri (bass), and Paul Richter (drums). 
 
     “Can't Do Without You” by Pink Turns Blue

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pink.Turns.Blue.Official/
Website: https://pinkturnsblue.com/
 

 

Lyrics of “Can't Do Without You” by Pink Turns Blue
How many times we’ve tried to talk but couldn’t do it at all
Well, I’m sick of our stupid fights
I ‘m sick of being wrong or right
 
You say it’s so important to side with the weak in the world
Protect them from the cruel and strong
Give shelter and full support
 
Well, nothing will stop the bad to take advantage of us all
Despite of us being good
Despite of us trying hard
 
But I can’t do, I can’t do
Can’t do without you
Can’t do without you
Can’t do without you
 
Drifting through my life without a feeling for things around
Don’t want to meet my sadness inside
Too much bleeding going on inside
 
Spent so much time on the quest for global peace and love
Guess I shouldn’t have tried at all
There’s no meaning to be found
 
But I can’t do, I can’t do
Can’t do without you
Can’t do without you
But I can’t do, I can’t do
Can’t do without you
Can’t do without you
Can’t do without you
 
If anything of value depends on us being good
If there’s anything that we could do
We should take the chance, not true?
 
Cause without any vision or even the slightest hope
Our life means nothing at all
Even love means nothing at all
 
But I can’t do, I can’t do
Can’t do without you
Can’t do without you
But I can’t do, I can’t do
Can’t do without you
Can’t do without you
Can’t do without you
Can’t do without you
Can’t do without you
Can’t do without you