Connor Morrison releases provocative single "The Duchess"

Connor Morrison

Connor Morrison is a piano rocker that lives to entertain. With roots in jazz, rock, and folk, he has been tickling ivories and singing his heart out  for years, most recently as half of the folk-rock duo The Meanderings. During this time, he co-wrote and released 3 full length albums, a number of singles, as well as toured the United States. Now located in the Bay Area, he is bringing his piano-indie-rock flavor to all those who desire to clap, bob, stomp, laugh, and sing along. 

Connor is kicking off a solo chapter with his single, "The Duchess" - the first off his new EP due in early 2023. "The Duchess" is about the balance between the desire to break from the monotony of everyday life, and the security of comfort. The catch 22 we’ve all experienced - knowing you don’t want to leave but also not wanting to stay. The contradictory lyrics juxtapose against the backdrop of upbeat rock, further compel the listener to ponder all of life’s intricacies. He says. "I wanted to write something that people can blast and rock out to, or sit back and dig into. A head-bobber that tells a story".

The message of this song hits a bit too close to home in my case, because being an introvert I struggle with that kind of mixed feeling between comfort/going out on an everyday basis haha! Connor has the ability to convey his provocative meaning through a super enjoyable and catchy rhythm and I absolutely love the way he came up with the title and lyrics of the song (scroll down to read!). He is one of my most recent discoveries and I can't wait to see what he'll release in 2023! I also encourage you to go check out his past released music such as the single "Here we go" (2021).

Connor Morrison shared with me the beautiful story behind this song: "I wrote "The Duchess" during a little bout of writer's block. I had an idea for a chorus based on sort of the feeling of when you can't decide whether you want to go out for the night or just stay home sort of combined with the feeling of coming home after a night out and realizing it wasn't what you thought it was and wishing you just stayed home. Almost the buyers remorse of socializing. But all I had was a little chorus and no lyrics. One day while writing it, I saw my cat (named Duchess) staring off into a window, and realized she probably feels similar. She's an indoor cat, that often wants to go outside, but if you let her outside or take her in the car she freaks out and comes running back in. She's desperate to leave, but also, is so desperately reliant on the comfort of her home that she never will leave. So I took that and wrote the song about that feeling seemed to be universal between man and beast (well... cat..) - should I stay or go. And to pay a little homage to my cat friend, I started it with the words "Duchess knows..".       

"The Duchess"

The Duchess knows playing around won’t stain her

Solid ivory coat, woah. 

The California blue skies, Reflect back in her blue eyes

As she wanders, wondering why she feels alone

She’s had plenty of toys she can bat around

Making them stumble and chase her, Round this tiny town

But at the end of the night, She’s just happy to be greeted by the porchlight

Sayin’ I made it home this evening, I never meant to leave

And now I’m tryin’ to find a reason, To fight and keep believing

If you’ve got the words to say, Then you’ve got the strength to pray

That with a little luck, You’ll get unstuck

And finally fly away, oh

It just shows, Hanging around don’t pay out

Can’t just stay at home, Staring out the window

She’s had plenty of time, To organize, prioritize

Dust the shelves and clean the knives, But why go out

And just wish you’d stayed behind?

Sayin’ I made it home this evening

I never meant to leave, And now I’m tryin’ to find a reason

To fight and keep believing, If you’ve got the words to say

Then you’ve got the strength to pray, That with a little luck

You’ll get unstuck And finally fly away, oh

Connor Morrison

Instagram: @connormorrisonmusic

Website: Connor Morrison

YouTube: Connor Morrison