I just discovered a beautiful love song, “Twenty-Five” by Lake Street Dive. It was written by bassist Bridget Kearney and sung by Rachel Price with Akie Bermiss on piano. I was so moved I had to post a comment: Songwriting at its best, as is the singing of it and piano accompaniment. Nostalgic story and sound. A masterpiece!
I first listened to the Lyric Video and then found two live concert performances of the song. While I was preparing this post a new video of a studio recording was published for promotional purposes. I added all four videos. You’ll want to hear it again anyway it’s that compelling.
Here is the Description they provided: A song celebrating a love that wasn’t built to last but was magical and meaningful and true, if only for a short time. A human connection, even if it doesn’t end in marriage or kids or two gravestones side by side on a hillside, can still be treasured. Whatever the future holds, whoever else our paths may cross with down the line, we can carry along love and gratitude for the time we spent loving each other.
Lake Street Dive – “Twenty-Five” [Lyric Video]
This concert video was recorded October 31, 2023 at Steinmetz Hall in Orlando, FL. The picture and sound are clear but the first few seconds are missing. concertserenity filmed and posted it with more videos from the show/artist in this YouTube playlist: Lake Street Dive.
Recorded Live in Concert! shared this other video on November 15, 2023 at the Midland Theater in Kansas City, Missouri. The quality is not as good, but it’s performed a little slower, which I like, and it looks artistic. They updated a Playlist of the show the next day on YouTube.
NEW: Lake Street Dive posted “Twenty-Five” LIVE from The Bridge Studio in Brooklyn NY.
Lyrics are in the Description. Click cc (closed captions) to follow along.
There was a time when I imagined us forever
I can’t quite remember how I thought we’d work it out
I guess I would move to California or you to Boston
And I’d learn to like to stay at home
Or you’d learn to like going out
And although the stories that I tell myself about us now
Don’t take me to the grave
I’ll be an old woman with somebody else by my side
But I will always be in love with you in my memories
When we were twenty-five
I always think of you when I drink affogato
Cuz that summer we would have them every afternoon
The hot and cold were such a perfect combination
Melt all together, bitter, sweet and creamy, and always gone too soon
But all the joy we had and love we gave away back then
Well, it never went to waste
I’ll be an old woman with somebody else by my side
But I will always be in love with how you loved me
When we were twenty-five
Listen to “Twenty-Five” here: https://found.ee/LSD25. | New album “Good Together” out June 21 2024. Pre-order/pre-save here: https://found.ee/LSDGoodTogether and 8 more links.
Lake Street Dive’s “Twenty-Five” on NPR’s All Songs Considered
Due to Lake Street Dive’s tweet, I discovered NPR’s All Songs Considered featured “Twenty-Five” with their group photo. The Contenders, Vol. 10: The songs we can’t stop playing this week. The opening paragraph mentions “wistful reflections on lost youth from Lake Street Dive.” Daoud Tyler-Ameen and Robin Hilton share an intelligent discussion about this second song in their playlist. They introduce it, play the song, then discuss it. The 7:25 minute segment goes from 8:45–15:40.
Lake Street Dive also tweeted a clip from the song. ”Twenty-Five” LIVE from The Bridge Studio in Brooklyn NY. Watch the full vid here: http://bit.ly/LSD25Live.
No doubt there will be more media opportunities for them to promote this song and their new album before it’s released in a few weeks time.
Final Thoughts
Different kinds of love come along at different stages in our lives. Some more than others have a special place in our hearts. While “Twenty-Five” may have been about a memorable love for a summer, Nikita Gill, in her wise and wonderful poem, Temporary and Permanent, contrasts that with those people who never leave us to face our painful times alone. Maybe you are one of these people who is always there for a friend in need.
Colin Hay, in his song, “I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You”, expresses that nostalgic feeling in a different way, but equally moving.
And speaking of love songs, here is one Jesse Winchester sang on Elvis Costello’s show about two teenagers in love: Sham-A-Ling-Dong-Ding.
To see other inspiring artists featured on The Uncarved Blog, scroll through the Archive of the ‘Music’ Category.
— Written and compiled (citing sources) by Ken Chawkin for The Uncarved Blog.
PS: See an earlier video of Lake Street Dive in the Studio: Rachael Price Sings “What I’m Doing Here” In One Complete Take. They said it’s one of their most watched videos on YouTube with over 8M views! It’s fantastic! Here’s the shorter Instagram closeup on repeat.
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