50 by NEAL MORGAN
His first new release of music since 2017, 50 is the first single from Neal Morgan's 24-song, 85min pop album PAW, out March 14, 2025.
A lushly orchestrated song of intimate observation, "50" introduces Morgan's creative shift to pop songcraft. With vivid, playful lyrics the artist ponders love from an ocean wave, hot springs and a lake party over the swelling strings, punchy drum-kit-and-tambourine percussion, melodic bass, and reverb-heavy guitar inspired by Morgan's favorite classic Motown hits.
PAW is Morgan’s magnum opus seven years in the making, the product of a creative pivot to pop music for an artist most known for his work as a drummer for songwriters Joanna Newsom (Have One On Me, Divers), Bill Callahan (Apocalypse), among others, and for his four percussion-heavy previous solo albums.
Tracklist
| 1. | 50 | 1:56 |
Lyrics
Can’t leave the car
With 50 on
Looking at the smile of my grandma
Is this the bar tonight?
Well lemme have a look at the dance floor
From inside the waves
I see your perfect face
Seagulls kinda clutter up the place
We’re always out the trunk til the grave
Can’t leave the bar with 50 on
Trying to find myself on the dance floor
Hot springs with a mom
Trying to figure out what I’m here for
From inside the days
I see your perfect face
Snack foods duplicate around the lake
We’re always out the trunk til the grave
Credits
Drums, Nylon String Acoustic Guitar, Vocal, Electric Guitar (verses and second chorus), Tambourines, Indian Wedding Bells – Neal
Violin & Viola – Mirabai Peart
Electric Guitar – Dan Elkan
Electric Bass – Ian “Yuck” Lindsay
Violin & Viola parts written by Neal and Mirabai Peart and recorded in Portland OR September 2023, editing for final arrangement by Neal
Electric Guitar parts written by Dan Elkan, recorded by Michael Craver at Now Space in Los Angeles CA June 2023
Electric Bass parts written & recorded by Ian “Yuck” Lindsay in Portland OR August 2023, editing for final arrangement by Neal
Drums, Vocal, Nylon String Acoustic Guitar recorded by Tobias Berblinger at Singing Sands in Portland OR April–August 2023
Electric Guitar (verses and second chorus), Tambourines, Indian Wedding Bells recorded by Neal in Portland OR March–August 2023
Mixed by Neal & Tobias Berblinger in Portland OR December 2023–February 2024
License
All rights reserved.
Neal has released five solo albums since 2009 including 2025's pop double-album PAW. As a drummer, he's worked with Joanna Newsom (Have One On Me, Divers), Bill Callahan (Apocalypse), Amen Dunes, Roy Harper, and dozens of other intrepid songwriters, and on multiple film soundtracks, including Netflix's Wild Wild Country. Neal lives in Portland, OR and was born and raised in Nevada City, CA.