Will Wood is an enigma in terms of his music style. That is to say, he blurs the boundaries of country pop, from alternative rock to jazz and soulful ballads. Yet, part of its beauty lies in its ambiguity, allowing him to move freely between styles without feeling constrained. Whether it's through songs that are poetic, theatrical, or brutally honest, Will Wood creates a truly unique synthesis of styles--an experience unparalleled in any other genre of music. However, the focal point of his music really lies in the lyrics, which explores themes of love, loss, death and identity through sentimentality and wit.
I was one of the many newcomers to him and his group,“Will Wood and the Tapeworms.” With a name like that, it was hard to imagine what to expect. Little did I know he would become one of my all time favorite artists. “The Normal Album,” released in 2020, was how I first found him. In a time where so many people were struggling with mental health and socializing, it was as if the album was made for everyone stuck inside. I must’ve listened to each song over and over. While not in this album, “Against the Kitchen Floor” unequivocally holds a special place in my heart (this is a sign to add it to your playlist). If you like biting sarcasm, social commentary, the doo-wop music of the 50's, new wave of the 80's, or down-right heavenly piano playing, there’s something for you in “The Normal Album.”
SUBURBIA OVERTURE: GREETINGS FROM MARY BELL TOWNSHIP!/ (VAMPIRE) CULTURE/ LOVE ME, NORMALLY
In case you’re wondering, this isn't even his longest song title. This song is split into three parts, hence the three titles. The tune is distinctly reminiscent of the 50s, with a slow but upbeat tone. This serves as a juxtaposition to the lines comparing the suburbs to a warzone while discussing its malicious and vampiric aspects. Self-expression is expelled in this world of blind conformity, and the underlying misery is painted over with images of family barbecues and white weddings.
LOVE ME, NORMALLY
I would say this could be something by Elton John, but the lyrics don’t depict a typical love song. Normally, love songs focus on how unique someone is and loving them despite their flaws. Yet here, Will wishes he were more normal in the eyes of others and loved in “exactly the way that everybody else is.” The lyrics express the vulnerability and loneliness that comes with being an outcast, reminding us that everyone has something special to offer the world, even if some can't see it. His voice is really used to the fullest here as he displays his magnificent vocals.
MARSHA, THANKK YOU FOR THE DIALECTICS, BUT I NEED YOU TO LEAVE
I’m not sure why there’s a second K, or why the title is a full sentence, but I am sure the track is great. Essentially, it's a conversation between two people struggling with mental health. One from a person who has incorporated mental illness into their identity. The other is the view of an older person more of the other extreme, that mental illness doesn't need treatment and you just need to “tough it out.” Obviously, neither is correct, but the back and forth play out is very interesting. This is probably the most climatic song of them all, beginning slow and picking up pace to lead into an incredible final chorus.
I/ ME/ MYSELF
This tune immediately reminded me of the Beach Boys. While Will plays up his voice in some parts in a cheesy, almost annoying way, it's done intentionally and adds a certain charm to it. The song discusses themes of gender identity, specifically how Will feels like the expectations of society forced him into an identity rather than freeing him. He himself clarified the meaning in his post on Genius.com:
“To boil it down, the song is about how I respond to my frustration with the limitations of the male gender role, the maladaptive ways I've coped with that frustration, and trying to figure out if this experience or any other regarding my gender can or should define me.”
⇧Spawns confetti into existence⇧
Will Wood’s lyrics don’t just offer entertainment; they bring insight into the human experience. His relatable songs demonstrate the personal struggles we all face, embracing vulnerability in ways that makes his tracks so riveting. With the raw expression and honesty evident in each line, Will has managed to create his own sound that goes beyond just being heard---i it is felt by anyone lucky enough to listen. But where to start?
I was one of the many newcomers to him and his group,“Will Wood and the Tapeworms.” With a name like that, it was hard to imagine what to expect. Little did I know he would become one of my all time favorite artists. “The Normal Album,” released in 2020, was how I first found him. In a time where so many people were struggling with mental health and socializing, it was as if the album was made for everyone stuck inside. I must’ve listened to each song over and over. While not in this album, “Against the Kitchen Floor” unequivocally holds a special place in my heart (this is a sign to add it to your playlist). If you like biting sarcasm, social commentary, the doo-wop music of the 50's, new wave of the 80's, or down-right heavenly piano playing, there’s something for you in “The Normal Album.”
SUBURBIA OVERTURE: GREETINGS FROM MARY BELL TOWNSHIP!/ (VAMPIRE) CULTURE/ LOVE ME, NORMALLY
In case you’re wondering, this isn't even his longest song title. This song is split into three parts, hence the three titles. The tune is distinctly reminiscent of the 50s, with a slow but upbeat tone. This serves as a juxtaposition to the lines comparing the suburbs to a warzone while discussing its malicious and vampiric aspects. Self-expression is expelled in this world of blind conformity, and the underlying misery is painted over with images of family barbecues and white weddings.
LOVE ME, NORMALLY
I would say this could be something by Elton John, but the lyrics don’t depict a typical love song. Normally, love songs focus on how unique someone is and loving them despite their flaws. Yet here, Will wishes he were more normal in the eyes of others and loved in “exactly the way that everybody else is.” The lyrics express the vulnerability and loneliness that comes with being an outcast, reminding us that everyone has something special to offer the world, even if some can't see it. His voice is really used to the fullest here as he displays his magnificent vocals.
MARSHA, THANKK YOU FOR THE DIALECTICS, BUT I NEED YOU TO LEAVE
I’m not sure why there’s a second K, or why the title is a full sentence, but I am sure the track is great. Essentially, it's a conversation between two people struggling with mental health. One from a person who has incorporated mental illness into their identity. The other is the view of an older person more of the other extreme, that mental illness doesn't need treatment and you just need to “tough it out.” Obviously, neither is correct, but the back and forth play out is very interesting. This is probably the most climatic song of them all, beginning slow and picking up pace to lead into an incredible final chorus.
I/ ME/ MYSELF
This tune immediately reminded me of the Beach Boys. While Will plays up his voice in some parts in a cheesy, almost annoying way, it's done intentionally and adds a certain charm to it. The song discusses themes of gender identity, specifically how Will feels like the expectations of society forced him into an identity rather than freeing him. He himself clarified the meaning in his post on Genius.com:
“To boil it down, the song is about how I respond to my frustration with the limitations of the male gender role, the maladaptive ways I've coped with that frustration, and trying to figure out if this experience or any other regarding my gender can or should define me.”
⇧Spawns confetti into existence⇧
Will Wood’s lyrics don’t just offer entertainment; they bring insight into the human experience. His relatable songs demonstrate the personal struggles we all face, embracing vulnerability in ways that makes his tracks so riveting. With the raw expression and honesty evident in each line, Will has managed to create his own sound that goes beyond just being heard---i it is felt by anyone lucky enough to listen. But where to start?
STEPHANie murillo
