Orla Gartland
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what IS cringe? (+a cringe song idea)
🕑 Added 2025-10-24 11:39:32 +0000 UTCSDC - how we doing?
Attaching a cutie song idea from the last week with the lyric “you’re my favourite idiot of all”. It’s rough as anything but it's cute, I like it :)
lyrics:
way past the honeymoon phase
yet all day
I’m sitting, waiting for your call
can’t get enough of us
oh is it obvious
you’re my favourite idiot of all?
I told you everything’s fine
in reality I’m at home
just crawling up the wall
now I feel ok again
you could say anything
you’re my favourite idiot of all
(stuck on the thought)
always running in the background
and I know you’ve got a lot to do
but I was thinking you could come round
and we could stay up talking in my room
....................................................................
Lately I’ve been thinking about love songs and what constitutes a cheesy one in the year of our lord 2025. Collectively as a society we all seem to be beginning to embrace the idea that it’s cool to be cringe (if cringe = passion, then cringe = good, surely?). To be nonchalant about something for the sake of optics feels far less cool to me (although like many I’ve fallen into that trap when I was younger / eager to fit in). With my thirties stretched out in front of me I now simply want to loudly + proudly love the things & people that I do.
So like all things in music and art, ‘cringe’ is subjective. We all have our own individual cringe threshold. Is a cringeworthy song one with pure expression and no edge, I wonder? I often joke on stage that I specialise in “I love you, but ____” songs ('Kiss Ur Face Forever', 'Everybody Needs A Hero', etc..) and that I find those infinitely easier to write than songs that straight up say ‘I LOVE YOU. NO BUTS !’ ('Simple' is the only released one of mine I can think of that fits that mold). Is it for fear of being cringe? Some Irish aversion to actually being earnest and saying something without a wink and a nod? Or is straightforward, uncomplicated love simply less inspiring? Personally I think when there is less struggle, there’s less figuring out to do; less reason to put pen to paper in the first place.
Some recent love songs I like are ‘Touching Yourself’ by The Japanese House, ‘CPR’ by Wet Leg (and many more on that album, actually). Of course there have no doubt been many more released of late, shrouded in metaphors and less direct lyrics and so a little harder to spot (possible cringe protective measure??). Again though - both of the examples above have a slight wink and a nod (or a straight up horniness) to them that again perhaps offsets their lovey-dovey nature somewhat - in terms of directness they're certainly a fair cry from Celine's 'My Heart Will Go On'. The production/soundworld surely matters here too. Does anyone have any favourite love songs, recent or timeless to throw into the mix? Let's make a collective mixtape playlist here : )
Anyway, thoughts welcome (on the song idea or any of it). Excited to deliver you a demo next week! The ideas have been flooooooowwwwwwingggg
love,
OG xxxx
Comments
Shane Devon
I think sometimes sincerity is interpreted as cringe. Vulnerability as cringe. People in 2025 expect a certain level of cynicism and detachment. When those elements are missing, it's far too often labeled "cringe." Maybe we should take back the word. I feel it may be an easy victory. I love this groove. I love this idea. Thank you for sharing.
Johan Karlsson
Great idea :) I just had to add a few songs by "Hello Saferide"( Annika Norlin). I have a feeling you'd really like her music Orla. Why not start with this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r5lnQYwdbE Love the Demo, especially the line "you’re my favourite idiot of all"
