We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Away From It All

from Vol. II: Mission Of Mercy by Plaid On Flannel

/

about

*Song Description By Noles*

I wrote the music for "Away From It All" on August 22, 2012. The minor based ballad was initially inspired by Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Have You Ever Seen The Rain". Both songs use the same chords of Am - F - C - G. The lyrics for "Away From It All" were written on August 27, 2012. I didn't actually know what I was writing about when I wrote the tune. And I'm still not entirely sure of the song's meaning. But from reading the lyrics, I'd say "Away From It All" is about escapism. Which is a theme I've used often in my lyricism. I've always loved the phrase "away from it all". It's something that people can identify with. As we all need to take a holiday when we can.

After writing a large batch of tunes in the summer of 2012, I began producing Plaid On Flannel's sophomore album Mission Of Mercy on September 4, 2012. Following the production of 9 songs for the album, I started recording "Away From It All" on January 14, 2013. It's one of the few tunes from the Mission Of Mercy album to feature orchestral strings. The string section in "Away From It All" doesn't make an appearance until the guitar solo. But these strings continue for the remainder of the song through the final chorus. "Away From It All" is the only track on the Mission Of Mercy album to use mandolin. Every Plaid On Flannel album from the 2010s has one song with a mandolin in it. And "Away From It All" is that one tune on Mission Of Mercy. For this song, I was really inspired by Peter Buck's mandolin work with R.E.M. Their tune "Losing My Religion" is in the same key of Am as well. And that's one of the most definitive mandolin-based songs in rock history. Between the bridge and guitar solo of "Away From It All", the mandolin has what I call an "R.E.M. moment". There's minimal additional instrumentation during this section. So that allows the mandolin to really shine.

"Away From It All" has an acoustic guitar and a piano that really work with the mandolin throughout the whole tune. The piano plays arpeggios in the bridge, intertwining with the sound of the mandolin. These acoustic instruments in "Away From It All" are countered by a couple of clean electric guitars. The only distorted instrument in "Away From It All" is the lead guitar. It fills some gaps in the verses and choruses. And it's on full display for the guitar solo section. Here's a video of me performing the guitar solo from "Away From It All"... youtu.be/hUeqQrcMO-Y

I finished recording "Away From It All" on January 23, 2013, and the entire Mission Of Mercy album was released on May 20, 2013. I've never played "Away From It All" with a band, but it would require a fairly large ensemble for it to be played right. The song has been a regular part of my solo acoustic performance repertoire since the Mission Of Mercy album was released. In recent years, I've transposed the key of "Away From It All" down a minor-third from Am to F# m. Here I am performing an acoustic version of "Away From It All" in it's new key... youtu.be/kuI7W9_cr_U I feel like the key of F# m works better given my vocal range when it comes to those particular melodies. I'm sure I'll eventually play "Away From It All" with a proper band, because it's too good of a song to pass up.

lyrics

Words and music by Nolan Randall

I've got a feeling in my head
But I'm not sure if it's widespread
Go to the distant avenue
Fall through the corridor at dawn
I have not left I'm fall from gone
A few things I haven't told you

Away from it all
My mind is big, but my head feels small
Investigating, interpretating
Evaluating the rise and fall
Away from it all
My mind is big, but my head feels small
I'm making a call away from it all

Breathing the air I used to waste
Shunning the things I once embraced
Fully aware of why it came to this
Look at how the time flies so fast
Realizing I can outlast
Things I will someday try to reminisce

Away from it all
My mind is big, but my head feels small
Investigating, interpretating
Evaluating the rise and fall
Away from it all
My mind is big but my head feels small
I'm making a call away from it all

With every season the future will soon unfold
There is a reason you've always done what you're told
And as the summer is turning into the fall
An up-and-comer will go away from it all

Away from it all
My mind is big, but my head feels small
Investigating, interpretating
Evaluating the rise and fall
Away from it all
My mind is big, but my head feels small
I'm making a call away from it all

credits

from Vol. II: Mission Of Mercy, released May 20, 2013

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Plaid On Flannel image

Plaid On Flannel Toronto, Ontario

Plaid On Flannel is an alternative indie blues rock act from Toronto, Canada. With 80+ original songs recorded since 2011, singer-songwriter Nolan Randall has remained the sole constant member of the band. POF's music is known for guitar riffs/solos, memorable hooks, catchy melodies/harmonies, evocative lyrics, & superb musicianship. While keeping a focus on originality and songwriting quality. ... more

contact / help

Contact Plaid On Flannel

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Plaid On Flannel, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featured guests are the golden-voiced Baby Rose and psyche soulsters Brainstory.
listen now