Dawes - King of the Never-Wills (Live Music Video)

Live in the studio performance from our new album 'Oh Brother', featuring Mike Viola & Madison Cunningham.

"About how one handles and adapts to a fall from grace or feeling like you missed your moment. And, as the verses go on, the roles alcohol and addiction take on in that process. The darker side of the hometown hero archetype." - Taylor Goldsmith

Editor: Robin Gonsalves

Follow Dawes:

Lyrics:
I watched you hold court with the graduate class of your fan club
Those same tired stories at the end of your favorite bar
And to give ‘em a bit of suspense
You tell them in the present tense
As if you believe that’s the person you somehow still are

The assumption was always that you were a little too special
To pay the same share of the dues that all of us owe
You convinced us to change up the plan
And prepare the road for the man
Instead of just simply preparing the man for the road

Everything goes out of fashion
You went way over that hill
You couldn’t go on as a has-been
You had to be king of the never-wills

You used to say that my beers were a bit too expensive
To get to the heart of what drove a true seeker to drink
And after we both forced a laugh
Your eyes tried to take that joke back
Once you could tell that I knew that’s what you really think

How did this catastrophe happen
And why is it happening still
You couldn’t go on as a has-been
You had to be king of the never-wills

As we walked to my car we both heard a small pack of coyotes
Telling the neighborhood they all found something to eat
And after the howls died away
You sobered up only to say
“Its too late to be anything we never wanted to be”

I dropped you at Hillhurst and Franklin
To let the long night go in for the kill
You couldn’t go on as a has-been
You had to be king of the never wills

Now you’re the heart of a story that goes on without you
We’ve distilled your whole person to only the best memories
You’re a fixture at all open mics
The kids if we were alike
But when I look in the mirror
Yours is the face that I see

It’s worse than I could’ve imagined
As I lift up my glass to get filled
I refuse to go on as a has-been
I’d rather be king of the never-wills

[reagosie]

I'm starting a petition to induct Madison Cunningham as an official member of Dawes.

[MatheusMontagnini]

Griffin’s drums are always such a precious thing. I love your music so much!

[nickmoranis]

Griffin Goldsmith brought me here!
Thank you! Amazing track.

[hippiekidgaming]

Beautiful song beautiful band love this

[DoggyMcDoggerson]

Just so good. Never get tired of Dawes

[Miggymel]

Good lord❤️
Been waiting for another one of these.
Dawes does it again.

[TStone-ghiq]

Epic. Brilliant. You are geniuses for letting the song develop like that. That girl’s bass and vocals were extraordinary. What a story too. Thank you!

[MatheusMontagnini]

And seeing Mike Viola popping up on your posts is such a beautiful thing!

Love you all! ❤

[seanmcmorris]

Superb work all around, and the lyrics are awesome. Well done!

[seandunlap]

it's all mental... thanks Taylor.

[PaulPalo]

Love the tuning No instrumental bridge

[edburns]

Is Blake Mills the king of the never wills?