This Song Captures What We're All Thinking: Good Riddance 2016
By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 30, 2016 7:48PM
Split Single photo by James Richards IV
Jason Narducy is known for many things—playing bass for Bob Mould and Superchunk, fronting his own solo project Split Single, owning the sexiest elbows in rock—but a song he penned at the last second seems to be striking a chord. And this fan-made video capturing a live performance of that song, titled "Good Riddance '16," (below) is making waves as we close out 2016.
Narducy told us he felt his setlist was lacking a song that addressed the mood of his audience in the wake of the 2016 Presidential Election.
"I was looking at the setlist in the dressing room at SPACE before our [Split Single's] record release show in November," he said. "It was 11 days after the election, and it felt like the songs we were about to play did not address a very powerful feeling in the band and audience. So I got out a piece of paper and started writing."
"It's a rambling song and it doesn't touch on everything that happened in American culture or politics in 2016, but I'm glad I wrote it and played it. It felt like everyone in the room needed to release frustration and yelling "fuck you!" is pretty effective at that," he said. "I was kidding when I asked the audience to join in because I was staring at 2 pages of lyrics. 7 verses! But then they started singing the choruses and sort of took over."
Narducy also told us he has no plans to record or release the song.
"I like that it happened once and that's it," he said. Watch the video below and savor the moment. We've also included the full lyrics to the song in case you want to start a sing-along at whatever New Year's Eve bash you may be attending.
Good Riddance '16
by Split Single
You started out alright
Iran dismantled nuclear might
And I found a brand new shirt I'd forgotten about
(in the closet hidden underneath a bunch of shit
I should have cleaned up a long time ago - but there it was - I was psyched)
And then what the fuck
You took away Ziggy Stardust
Chameleon alien we all wanted to be
He took us to Mars
Never felt that far
He let everyone who felt different
Know they weren't alone
Good riddance '16
Good riddance '16
Good riddance to you
Excuse me what did you say?
You're taking the 5th Beatle away
Sir George, we salute you and we thank you
'Working part time in a five and dime
My boss was Mr. McGee'
Oh no what did you do?
You can't have him no no no no
Good riddance '16
Good riddance '16
Good riddance and additionally fuck you
Muhammad Ali, Garry Shandling
Gene Wilder, Maurice White
Leonard Cohen, Garry Marshall
Guess what - we don't have all night
Mass shootings, Sharon Jones
Skipping ahead like a dream
The sun shone down on our baseball team
It took 7 games and extra innings but we'll take it
Celebration of the century ended after 6 days
November 8th to be exact
Good riddance '16
Good riddance '16
Good riddance and additionally fuck you