I was wary about reviewing this after hearing the gist, as I’ve become pretty sick of songs that remark on how awesome and fulfilling everyday life is. It’s not the theme itself that bothers me; it’s that most songs just gush about it, as though they have to really hype up the idea for you to buy in. It usually ends up sounding more defensive than celebratory, like an insecure person trying to brag – “What? All my friends just got raises? Well, I’ve got all I need, and it’s alright by me! I’m in paradise! Yeah! So screw you guys!”
Not the case with “All I Ask For Anymore.” There is an understated, unassuming quality to this song that just makes it sound real, even as the lyric covers a lot of well-trod ground. I suppose the key difference lies in the approach – he’s not straining to prove how great life with the wife and kids is; he’s just reflecting on how it’s changed him and leaving us to make our own judgments. Music for adults – nice.
Written by Casey Beathard & Tim James
Grade: B+
Listen: All I Ask For Anymore
Buy:
this really is a refreshing song. It’s simple and it doesn’t act like it’s a revelation