The most resonating prose can often be found when one falls victim to the vulnerability of love. On May 24, 2024, Irish singer-songwriter Cian Ducrot released his latest single, “Something I Can’t Afford.” This acoustic ballad, which combines raw vocals with simple instrumentation, allowed Ducrot to shed light on the importance of making the most out of every moment despite conflict.
The Song Production
Ducrot explained how he originally wrote “Something I Can’t Afford” after he and his girlfriend had a fight. Afterwards, while sitting in his studio and strumming his guitar, he came up with the entire song in nearly five minutes. The regretful lyricism appears to be a direct reflection of his inner monologue when contemplating the love he holds for his girlfriend.
“I often have this fear of wasting time with those you love as life is so short and we don’t get enough time with anyone we love so whenever there’s a silly argument I always feel like it’s a waste of something so precious. That’s what this song is about and it came out of an exact moment of that feeling.”
Cian Ducrot
Shortly after, Ducrot uploaded a video to social media in which he presented the original song to his girlfriend. The wholesome post went viral over Instagram and TikTok, accumulating a whopping 6 million views in over just 2 weeks.
The Lyricism
Ducrot pairs this minimalistic melody with beautifully straightforward lyricism that paints a picture of an individual experiencing the true depths of love. In the beginning of the song, he wonders why the two are even fighting when the lover is “all [he] has.” Further, he wonders if they can simply make amends in the hopes of salvaging their relationship.
‘Cause I do, I really love you
And I know that i won’t waste a second more
‘Cause this life’s too short
To lose a moment with you is something I can’t afford
“Something I Can’t Afford”
The Music Video
The music video for “Something I Can’t Afford” is set between vintage camera frames and features shots of Ducrot pacing and pondering the words of this piece. The unsmooth jumps between shots echo a thought process in distress. Ducrot fully acknowledges how he cannot afford to spend these moments away from his lover when time is so precious.
Since 2020, Cian Ducrot has released a variety of indie pop singles, EPs and albums. His debut album, Victory, which was released in 2023, became the UK and Ireland’s No. 1 single.
Ducrot is currently on tour across the UK and is set to perform a multitude of outdoor concerts. Watch out for his live performances coming to the United States in early October. Connect with this growing-to-fame indie pop artist on his website, YouTube, Facebook, X and Instagram. “Something I Can’t Afford” can be listened to on all streaming platforms.
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