Stages Song Stories vol. 2 – The One That Got Away

Howdy frans! I thought it’d be fun to do a series on the stories behind the tracks on Stages (be sure to download the album for FREE if you haven’t already!). It IS a concept album after all. It tells the story of a failed relationship from a very personal perspective. Today’s track – “The One That Got Away”.

Previous Song Stories:
Stages Song Stories vol. 1 – BTW/Love Will Find Me 

The One That Got Away (Stage 2 – after meeting her for the first time; excitement and relational discovery)

We’ve all experienced it – you’ve finally met someone. He/she seems perfect. Before long, you can’t stop thinking about this person. There’s obviously something there – a “spark” – and you’re filled with hope for the future. Could he/she be the one?

This song was written after my own, personal experience. Even as a twenty-something, I feel like I’m in middle school again when this happens. I’d like to think I’m a somewhat smart guy. NOPE. Not when I’m interested in someone. My brain immediately turns to sludge. I fumble my words (ie. “I was wondering if you’d like to go out on a banana. I mean DATE!”), and sometimes I simply attempt to grunt my words and ideas in hopes that I might successfully communicate a thought. Okay, I’m not THAT bad… at least not any more! “The One That Got Away” is simply about meeting someone new. Could he/she be the one? By the end of the tune, it becomes clear that this new person is here to stay.

This tune is a mid-tempo ballad-y sort of track that gets huge by the second chorus. This tune has the distinction of having the highest-ever sustained note that I’ve ever sung on a tune. It’s a G# at the tail end of the bridge. That’s not impressive for some people, but for mister baritone me it was an accomplishment. I think my uvula fell off immediately following the vocal take. Another fun fact: there was a full band arrangement of this tune floating around the interwebs a year-ish ago. It sounded completely different. It also featured Casting Crowns’ Chris Huffman on bass.

Lyrics:

This is so much more than I can take
How can I know for sure?
I need words, sweet words that I can say
to open up that door
to what we have become, so unsure
Please tell me
I hope it’s you that loves me

Could she be the one I’ve been waiting for?
She’s all that I’ve wanted for so long
Look where we’d begun and where we started from
Please don’t be the one that got away

I’ll hold on to hope that I’m not missing out,
falling over you
I’m having to cope, ’cause I might be without
I don’t know what to do
’bout what we have become, so unsure
Could you tell me?
I hope it’s you that loves me

Could she be the one I’ve been waiting for?
She’s all that I’ve wanted for so long
Look where we’d begun and where we started from
Please don’t be the one that got away

Is this the start of something beautiful?
That she’d go for me is something that I can’t see

Could she be the one I’ve been waiting for?
She’s all that I’ve wanted for so long

She is the one that I’ve been waiting for
She’s all that I’ve wanted for so long
Look where we’d begun and just how far we’ve come
She won’t be the one that got away

She’s here to stay

About the Stages EP: Practically everyone has experienced a failed romantic relationship. At every phase of Matt Adler’s own past failed relationship, he wrote a song. These tunes have been compiled into an indie rock EP – Stages. Through this album, the listener is able to gain insight into all phases: contentment and non-expectation, excitement and relational discovery, enamor, the end, bitterness, recovery, confidence in the future, and hope.
So many folks are in similar seasons of life. The hope and prayer is that these songs can speak to people, wherever they may be. It’s important to realize that you are not alone. You are never the only person that goes through something. And ultimately, for most, only one dating experience will ever actually be a success. It’s the failures that make you more aware of what you do need and want for your life. Your person is out there, living his/her life right now. You’re not going to miss him/her, so be patient and know that you are loved.

Best friends came together to arrange this album and to define a brand new sound, infusing indie rock and organic elements with electronic drums and soundscapes. Fans of Gungor, Imagine Dragons, The Afters, and Muse will enjoy this album. Download the album for FREE here!