Giants

Dermot Kennedy's "Giants" is a song steeped in themes of nostalgia, change, and hope. At its core, it's about acknowledging the passage of time and the loss of a more innocent, powerful past—a time when he and perhaps a loved one, or even a collective 'we', felt like 'giants'. The song grapples with the bittersweet pain of growing up and moving on from that state of being. However, it is not a song of defeat. Kennedy frames it as an encouragement to be brave, both individually and collectively, in the face of an unknown future. It’s about letting go of the past and embracing the inevitable changes, even if it's a painful process. Released in June 2020, the song's meaning was amplified by the global turmoil of the time. Kennedy stated that the song is about being comfortable with change and moving forward, a message that resonated deeply during a period of massive global shifts. He encourages listeners to find the opportunity within the darkness and believe that a brighter future is possible.

The song begins with a reflection on a past state of being, a time when the narrator and their companion felt powerful and significant, like 'giants'. A question hangs in the air: 'When did we stop?' This introduces a sense of loss and nostalgia for that former strength and innocence. The narrator expresses an unwavering readiness to return to that state, affirming that the memory and the feelings associated with it have never faded. The lyrics delve into the internal conflict of hope and hurt coexisting within the narrator. There's an acknowledgment of overlooked beauty and value, described as 'gold in the dirt', which became apparent only through the presence of this other person. The connection between them felt natural and perfect, like a hand fitting seamlessly into another's or 'a bird would find the breeze'. This reinforces the idea that their unity was a source of strength and clarity.

The chorus repeats the central theme, lamenting the loss of their 'giant' stature and questioning the turning point. It's a plea and a promise, stating that a single word from the other person is enough to rekindle the past. They were a 'song in the silence', a significant and beautiful presence in a world that was otherwise empty, but the relentless march of time has caught up to them. Despite this, the commitment to remember and return remains steadfast. The second verse shifts to a specific memory, a moment of realization 'in the park' where the narrator understood this person would be their liberation from pain. Their eyes once held a deep recognition that has been lost over a long period. A powerful metaphor describes the beloved as 'the moon and the stars, and all they gaze upon', elevating them to a celestial, central role in the narrator's universe. The verse ends with an urgent call to action against the swift passage of time, questioning the hesitation to move forward.

A bridge section intensifies the emotional plea. It's a direct address, a 'darling', filled with declarations of enduring love. The narrator asks for a commitment, a promise to remember the times they shared, which have been cherished and held onto. In return for this affirmation, they are willing to 'leave it all behind', suggesting a readiness to discard the pain of the present for a chance to reclaim the past. The song culminates in a final, powerful reiteration of the chorus. The question 'when did we stop?' is posed again, filled with a mix of longing and hope. The declaration that they 'used to be giants' resonates as both a painful memory and a potential future, a reminder of what was and what could be again if they choose to face the change together.

"Giants" was written by Dermot Kennedy in collaboration with Stephen "Koz" Kozmeniuk and Scott Harris, the same team behind his previous hits like "Outnumbered" and "Power Over Me". The song was released on June 24, 2020, as the lead single from the expanded edition of his number-one album, "Without Fear". Kennedy mentioned in an interview that he had the song for a while before its release, but its meaning deepened for him due to the significant world events of 2020. He felt it was a delicate time to release music and wanted to offer something that wasn't tone-deaf to the global situation. A key inspiration for Kennedy was Leslie Dwight's viral poem, "What if 2020 Isn't Cancelled?", which reframes the challenging year as a necessary catalyst for growth and change. The track was produced by Stephen Kozmeniuk. Interestingly, Kennedy initially wasn't sure about the song, but the president of his label, Island Records, was a strong believer in it, and eventually, Kennedy came to embrace it fully.

The lyrical structure of "Giants" utilizes a relatively straightforward rhythm and rhyme scheme that enhances its accessibility and anthemic quality. The verses tend to follow an AABB or ABCB rhyme pattern (e.g., "me"/"see", "me"/"breeze"), which provides a sense of melodic coherence and simplicity. The rhymes are generally perfect rhymes, which contributes to the song's memorable and singable nature. The chorus, with its repeated phrases, relies more on repetition and rhythmic emphasis than intricate rhyming. The rhythm of the vocal delivery often syncs with a driving beat, especially as the song builds, creating a feeling of marching forward despite the nostalgic lyrics. This interplay between the reflective, sometimes pained, lyrics and the propulsive musical rhythm mirrors the song's core theme: the difficult but necessary act of moving forward from the past.

Musically and lyrically, "Giants" employs several techniques to create its powerful and emotional impact.

• Vocal Delivery: Dermot Kennedy's vocal performance is a key stylistic element. It's described as raw, untamed, and anguished, yet melodic and hopeful. This duality conveys the song's central tension between nostalgic pain and forward-looking optimism. His voice itself is a primary instrument, carrying the emotional weight of the track.
• Anthemic Chorus: The song is built around a simple, repetitive, and passionate chorus ("We used to be giants, when did we stop?"). This creates a powerful, sing-along quality, making the song feel like a collective anthem for anyone facing change.
• Dynamic Arrangement: The song starts with a more subdued, ominous feel, featuring soft clapping and humming before building in intensity. The instrumentation grows, particularly in the chorus, with a more intense beat that drives the song forward, mirroring the transition from quiet reflection to a passionate plea.
• Direct Address and Rhetorical Questions: Lyrically, Kennedy uses direct address ("Just say the word and I'll be yours") and rhetorical questions ("When did we stop?", "what you waiting on?") to create a sense of intimacy and urgency. This draws the listener directly into the narrator's emotional conflict and plea.

Upon its release in June 2020, "Giants" quickly achieved significant commercial success and cultural resonance. The song peaked at number one on the Irish Singles Chart and reached number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. It was the lead single for the new edition of Kennedy's hugely successful debut album, "Without Fear", which itself was a number-one album in the UK and Ireland. The song's themes of facing change and finding hope in turmoil resonated strongly with a global audience navigating the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kennedy himself noted that the song took on a new, more profound meaning in the context of 2020's events. The track was nominated in the 'Best International Male' category at the 2020 Brit Awards, further cementing its critical and popular acclaim. The animated music video, created by Trizz Studios and directed by Oriol Puig, took cues from nature's resilience and further explored the song's themes of change and new beginnings.

"Giants" is rich with symbolic language and powerful metaphors that enhance its central themes.

• Giants: The central metaphor of being "giants" represents a past state of power, innocence, and invincibility, likely associated with youth or a specific relationship. It evokes a time when things felt simpler and possibilities seemed endless. The question "When did we stop?" signifies the loss of this powerful state.
• Gold in the dirt: This imagery suggests finding unexpected value and beauty in something or someone that might be overlooked. It implies that the narrator only recognized this worth through their connection with the other person.
• Hand fit in yours like a bird would find the breeze: This simile beautifully captures the effortless, natural, and perfect compatibility the narrator felt in the relationship. It symbolizes a sense of belonging and destiny.
• The song in the silence: This metaphor describes the significance of their shared past or relationship. In a world of emptiness or quiet, their connection was the singular, meaningful sound, highlighting its importance and uniqueness.
• The moon and the stars, and all they gaze upon: By comparing his beloved to celestial bodies, the narrator elevates their importance to a universal scale. It symbolizes that this person is the center of his world, an object of admiration for all.

The most significant recurring phrase in the song is the line that forms its emotional core: "We used to be giants." This phrase opens the song and is the centerpiece of the chorus. It acts as a powerful motif representing lost strength, innocence, and a shared, idealized past. Its repetition serves as a constant reminder of what has been lost, driving the nostalgic and melancholic tone of the track. Paired with the recurring question, "When did we stop?", it creates a sense of confused longing and a desire to pinpoint the moment things changed. Another key recurring line, "Just say the word and I'll be yours, you know I never forgot," functions as a hook and a heartfelt plea. It's a declaration of unwavering commitment and hope, suggesting that the past can be reclaimed. Its repetition reinforces the narrator's vulnerability and readiness to reconnect, acting as the hopeful counterpoint to the nostalgic sadness of being "giants" no more.