MICHAEL CLIFFORD AND WATERPARKS COME TOGETHER FOR A LEGENDARY COLLABORATION
Fans around the world were sat and ready for Michael Clifford’s new collaboration “give me a break!” featuring Waterparks. Between Clifford’s emotional lyrics, the energetic guitar and plenty of humor throughout, this track was released with a bang.
Clifford got his start in 2011 as the guitarist in popular Australian band 5 Seconds of Summer. Five albums, multiple hit singles and over 13 years together in the band has given Clifford the chance to explore his own solo music with his debut album Sidequest, dropping on July 25. “give me a break!” is the second single off of his upcoming album, following the fun, nostalgic track “cool.” Clifford — as well as the rest of 5 Seconds of Summer — has a long history with Waterparks, bringing lead singer Awsten Knight on stage at the Houston show of their 2018 tour to sing “She’s Kinda Hot.” This new collaboration was no surprise to fans who follow either of them closely, but the excitement for this song was not dimmed at all.
The track contains a healthy mix of heartfelt lyrics about Clifford’s feelings regarding life and himself. With the amusing shouting and back-and-forth vocals, Knight and Clifford add a funny relationship dynamic towards the end of the track.
The first verse is a perfect opening to the vibe of “give me a break!” with Clifford speaking his truth, “I think I just started to burn out / One article into a meltdown / Last time I checked, I was a sell-out / Like damn, I can't even believe how much that I don't sleep now.” Clifford is very open in his solo music, explaining how much he needs a break from the constant run of his life and what the public might think of him.
On the flip side, Knight’s run and the verse with both singers pull away from the more serious element listeners heard at the beginning of the song. Clifford and Knight engage in banter about Knight’s behavior in his verse, shown through his loud screaming of wanting their nightmare to end. Clifford starts their back-and-forth banter by apologizing for his friend’s behavior, because he says “the craziest things,” but Knight doesn’t want Clifford to defend him: “Don't you say sorry for me / I fuckin' love freakin' out.” Clifford then mock-whispers back to his friend, “Awsten, you’re makin’ a scene” that is answered with Knight’s “Michael, you do the same thing” and they end the verse together with “Stop fuckin’ screaming at me!” This vocal banter is what makes the song so unique and an immediate favorite, and these lines are played out even better in the music video.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Michael Clifford Facebook / GRAPHIC: Haley Petrone / @haleypetronephoto
The music video was released two hours after the song, which features the popular TikTok actress Sara Echeagaray who portrays a girl writing a story, or fanfiction, about Clifford and Knight. In her story, the two men hate each other at first, with Knight making multiple attempts on Clifford’s life in comical ways such as throwing a toaster in a bathtub or poisoning his drink. Echeagaray realizes she, as the author, can make the story go however she wants, so the video ends with Clifford and Knight coming together in an iconic, Internet-shattering kiss. The music video fit perfectly with the song, highlighting the fun nature of the collaboration and the closeness and sense of humor of the two singers.
The music video has a very real meaning to Clifford as well. Fanfiction — stories written by fans featuring actors, singers or characters — has been a large part of fan spaces for years. In a reply to a Tweet about the video, Clifford says “i love that i was able to express in a fun way that sometimes the narrative is already written for me before i get a chance to write my own.” Clifford being able to integrate something his fans have done for over a decade, write fanfiction, into his music while also being able to draw his own meaning about the control over his life is really important.
The track itself is full of incredible lines and the chorus is no exception. “give me a break!” has a beautiful mix of Clifford’s clear, enchanting vocals, along with a reminder of his powerful shouting ability which fills the chorus. Clifford lays out losing himself in his life and trying to find it in someone else.
“Won't you give me a break? / I don't remember who I am, now give me a name / I don't remember what I look like, give me a face / 'Cause I can feel it in my bones now / Give me a break.”
Knight’s bridge is his own homage to Waterparks. The first two lines are a direct reference to the song “Royal” off their first album, Double Dare, and the line with “day dream” could be referencing the song “Dream Boy” from their third album, Fandom. Knight sings “I always said, you won't like what you see / So keep your eyes off of me / I'm just a phone screen, daydream, baby / Just give me a break because I'm sick of the band / They say I'm livin' the dream, I just want this nightmare to end.” These lines mimic Clifford’s intentions in his own verses, so his addition is perfect.
While Michael Clifford has no plans to leave 5 Seconds of Summer, his solo music is a place for him to express himself further. Clifford, along with Knight, created a true-to-self track without losing the humor. Stay tuned for Sidequest and keep up with Michael Clifford and his solo journey — it’s not one to miss!
