A Tangled Tune: Orla Gartland Contemplates Codependency on ‘The Hit’

Orla Gartland's ‘The Hit’ is a jarring journey into an intense emotional entanglement. The song delves into the complexities of a relationship marked by a profound, almost consuming connection between two individuals.

The Dublin-based musician gently lifts the melody with the words, "You're so powerful," later admitting, “We spend our whole lives being scared of each other”. 

From the outset, the lyrics highlight intriguing power dynamics, with one person exerting a magnetic pull on the other. “Now, where do I start? / Where do you end? / All I wanted was a friend” suggests the narrator has lost some sense of individuality within the relationship.

The imagery in the chorus is striking, with vivid metaphors like “You get a punch, and I feel the hit” to convey the intensity of the emotional bond. It’s a powerful climax, encapsulating the core of the song's message: a shared pain, a symbiotic suffering. Lyrics like “Oh, you get the cut / and I feel the sting” and “But it's some kinda magic / some voodoo doll sh*t” evoke a sense of being inextricably linked to another person. This linkage reaches the point where their experiences become one's own.

The cooperative nature of the song's creation, with Gartland's best friend Lauren Aquilina and producer Tom Stafford helping with writing, also adds depth to the lyrics. The sense of intimacy and understanding between the three writers likely contributed to the authentic portrayal of the complex emotions in the song.

‘The Hit’ presents a striking juxtaposition of sound and sentiment. While the lyrics delve into the complexities of a deeply intense and emotionally charged relationship, the song's sonic palette is surprisingly laid-back, understated, and almost casual. This contrast creates a captivating tension, drawing listeners into a world where the surface-level serenity belies the turbulent depths of the emotional turmoil explored in the lyrics.

Ultimately, ‘The Hit’ is a raw and honest exploration of the complexities of human connection. It is a song that lingers, inviting listeners to contemplate the depths of their own relationships and the blurred lines between individuality and interdependence.

 

Vukile Ntsaba

Image: ‘The Hit’ Official Single Cover