Aussie singer-songwriter Dean Lewis has just released his newest single “All I Ever Wanted” along with an official music video This is the third release from his highly anticipated upcoming album. This personal track sees Dean Lewis look into his past to the point in time when he had to make a choice: to pursue his career in music or pursue a serious relationship. Lewis elaborates on the inspiration for the song:
“‘All I Ever Wanted’ is about when you realise that what you had at the start with someone before things got crazy and blew up was great, and the grass isn’t always greener. The thing that I had with this girl before I pursued my dreams, she was everything I ever wanted, I just didn’t realise it at the time. I needed to go and try and make something of myself, and you get to that place where you realise that she was all I ever wanted, and I wish I could go back.”
The song starts off with a gentle plucked guitar and Lewis’ simple and pure vocals. His vocals become stronger and a subtle, vulnerable vibrato rings through his voice as he reflects on the mistakes he made.
The chorus comes in with a powerful crescendo as Lewis sings the title lyrics “all I ever wanted” over the same acoustic background. This first chorus is raw and vulnerable as the listener can feel the deep regret Lewis feels in his vocal delivery.
A short pause takes us into the second verse, which sees the addition of a driving yet soft drum beat. Lewis begs this person to acknowledge him and let him back into their life as he describes specific memories and his voice becomes more urgent.
The following chorus continues to subtly build the intensity as drums drive it forward and well-placed background vocals emphasize the message. We head straight into the bridge, which sees Lewis earnestly apologize for his mistakes.
The music suddenly strips down and Lewis’ voice is left to softly sing the first part of the chorus over just an acoustic guitar. The second part of the chorus is cinematic to say the least. Subtle choral background vocals add an ethereal vibe as the full swell of the music brings us to the last lyrics, sung over a silent background: “all I ever wanted was you”.
The song is accompanied by an equally powerful video, featuring Lewis alone in the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.
“All I Ever Wanted” is a powerful track, both lyrically and vocally. The simple instrumentals let Lewis’ emotional vocal delivery to take center stage, allowing listeners to feel the pain along with Lewis. The widely relatable message and earnest execution will win listeners over immediately.
If you like this single, be sure to keep an eye out for his album to be released later this year.
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