The Swell Season - The Answer Is Yes - (Official Video)
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- Опубликовано: 4 фев 2025
- This song was given as an answer to my prayer some months ago. Glen and I had been talking about releasing new music prior to our upcoming US tour, and I made a wish in my heart to write a beautiful duet for us to sing together. Something that felt just right for the time and place. Something deeply personal and yet widely universal. Something that summarized our journey through the past 20 years, paying tribute to all that once was and celebrating all that now is. Some things have remained the same, like the strength of our personal and musical connection, while others changed in big and small ways.
Glen was getting married, and that was big. It was significant and it felt joyous. And so it made its way into the song, probably also largely due to the fact that the chorus chants of YES kept reminding me of a person saying “yes” during a marriage proposal, or while standing at the altar. I imagined being able to take the energy and enthusiasm of the easiest yes any of us have ever given and bringing it into other, less important yeses of our lives. For anything worth doing is worth doing fully, and no yes should ever be said with half a heart.
When I was half way through writing this song, I sent it to Glen in hopes of having him finish it with me, but he was busy mixing his upcoming record and the song finished itself before he could chime in with ideas. It felt as if it had long waited to be written, and it grew impatient on its last stretch. It simply knew what it wanted to be. Positive, celebratory, joyous and yes, nostalgic. For there is, after all, a lot to reflect upon and be nostalgic about.
When Glen agreed to come to Iceland and record this and one other song with me, I was beyond excited. Both about recording with Glen and doing so in our own studio. It is my favorite and preferred place to work, and it meant we could keep things cozy and comfortable, which in turn absolutely benefited our creative process, yielding way more material than we originally set out to write and record. Not to mention the time it gave Glen and me to catch up and our families to become as close as they did in this relatively short time.
Mio assumed his well “broken in” position of producer and studio engineer, and Glen and I agreed to keep things simple and invite local musicians to join us in the session, with the exception of Marja Gaynor and Bertrand Galen who recorded string parts remotely in Ireland with Cormac O’Connor. Our lovely neighbors and dear friends Tina Dico and Helgi Hrafn Jónsson joined us on vocals, and Þorvaldur Þór Þorvaldsson and Guðmundur Óskar Guðmundsson on drums and bass. I later asked my dear friend Peter Moc, a fellow Czech based in Ireland to record some electric guitar parts on a couple of other songs, ones you have yet to look forward to hearing.
It made sense somehow, for this song to be the first single for us to release. We wanted to open with this kind of positivity and celebration, inviting others to join in our joy. The cover of the single was taken by David Cleary, who also captured all stills photography in Once, and documented our recording process in Iceland.
I had a vision for the cover involving a Claddagh ring, traditionally used as a wedding band in Ireland, and David was just the man to execute this vision. I liked the idea of it resting on blades of grass and wild flowers, as if it had been lost or still waiting to be found. The two hands holding a crowned heart is one of the most beautiful symbols I know. Originally the heart stands for love, the crown for fidelity and hands for friendship, but to me it symbolizes that love is the highest authority there is, and to serve and safe-guard it, the highest honor.
Glen and I have been friends for a long time, and our friendship is a manifestation of deep love. The kind that does not die and nor does it end, it simply is and always shall be. As I grow older. I cherish having people in my life who I’ve known for a long time. It means that certain things need not be explained. There is a quiet understanding. We were both there when it happened and there is a comfort in that. We know it wasn’t all roses and glory, but we have a lot to be proud of and an even more to be grateful for.
The little set of live shows we did together in March of 2022 blew my mind. It was our first series of shows in more than a decade. On the opening night, when I walked on stage and saw, heard and felt the audience, eager and excited to have us back, a part of me couldn’t believe they were still there, after all this time. It certainly offered many moments of deep appreciation for the loyalty and generosity of such a loving audience. Becoming still and looking around, we received all the confirmation one could ever need, of it all having been absolutely worth it. Not that I ever doubted that for a second.
Thank you for listening, I hope you enjoy.
this is what happens when music is not just a pose, rather it is about life. You turn your experience into art. Thank you.
OMG.. no words. Thank you Marketa and Glen ❤ so much. Your Friendship is so beautiful.
Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová were once an item and a music duo with stunning success, including an Oscar. But they eventually split up and embarked on solo careers in different countries. And now, 15 years later, they are touring and making magic again. "The Answer Is Yes” is one of their new offerings, this time with Irglová in the lead and Hansard as the second voic.e, celebrating the endurance of a hard-earned friendship. Sentimental? Yes. Pure? That too. Thank you Glen and Maekéta from a fan in Ivory Coast🇨🇮, West Africa.
For those who were there since the beginning, this song is very special and a wonderful reflection of both Marketa and Glen’s growth individually and together. ❤ Love the harmonies and this simple and pleasing video which doesn’t overdo anything, offering a glimpse into the work behind the scenes.
This connects 15 years seamlessly. We're still here. So beautiful 😍
These two are still magic together after all these years.
This isn't the ending I wanted back in 2008, but it certainly is the good ending. Kind of mimics the movie, oddly - just because you don't end up together forever doesn't mean it wasn't a love or friendship that was well worth it.
Yes! Yes! What a gift!!!❤
My heart is SOARING right now. I'm feeling it. This is so much what I needed right now. Thank you for this beautiful music, the answer to a question I didn't realize I had.
Swell season. You guys still make me sob after 15 years.
I was going to write what I think this song means, and how I view the lyrics relating to their story together... but I see that everyone has already done that. And then some. With heartfelt comments about what this all means.
And so I love that somehow we're all just as connected as they are. Our shared experiences, joys and heartaches. Our shared understanding of this experience.
I listen to and watch this beautiful piece, read these comments, and I'm just so profoundly in love with the world.
You made me cry, in a good way
I answer YES, it is Beautiful ! And what a great pleasure to see Glen as The Second Voice, proud with Mar, full harmonized in an Angel's Duo of a new starting in a musical rebirth to enjoy our hearts and souls with true human being love 💙🤍❤️ Thank you so much for that evolution and ours together. Love you great Angels and Arcangels ! ❤
Love this! I love the change in dynamic of Mar leading and Glen harmonizing in this song. Thank you both for sharing your tremendous gifts with all of us. Can’t wait to hear more!
This is wonderful! Magic happens when you two make music together. ❤
There are songs of such simplicity and sincere emotion that resonate with what it means to be human at such a core level. This is one of those songs. It is one that reflects beautifully and honestly on the past but with love and friendship and optimism of (and for) the present and future. A real gem!
Thank you so much Marketa and Glen. I truly hope to get to see you when you are in Boston later this year.
Absolutely love this song!!! Thanks for this gift.
The song and the story behind it brought me to tears, but it's a good cry 🥲 Love you both, thank you so much for your music and the good vibes! ❤
I recently discovered this transcendent song and it touches something in me that's extremely metaphysical. Incredible.
As someone that got his world view totally transformed by watching "Once" and followed along their lives, this song fills me with soooo much joy ❤
Love you guys since "Once". Beautiful voice duet!
This is music at its finest ❤️ thank you for coming back together. It somehow feels especially needed these days 🎶
Gracias! Por un día en el que no perder las ganas de vivir 😊
Marketko to je taková krása děkuji 😊
Dochází mi slova. Mám husí kůži od samého začátku 🥹
"In the place my wonder comes from, There I find you...
In your heart where the world comes from, There you will find me..."
This song fits so perfectly on so many parallels for these fantastically gifted humans. How lucky are we to know their stories as well as their lives through the music they make? These are true artists in every aspect of the word. Blessed to have seem then many times over the years. The most intimate and beautiful concert experience. If you ever get a chance, you've got to see them if only, "Once."
Thanks Glen & Marketa as the tears of mine do no justice to this gorgeous, lovely ballad. Yes is the answer of Love. I hope to hear new music by Swell Season soon.
Jste naprosto uzasni.Posloucham vas dnes uz asi po desate a slzim dojetim.V te hudbe je tak dokonala mezilidska laska...
Tolik citu,je to az Bozske.
Dekuji❤
It's beautiful to see your growth, both of you. Marketa, your voice is so much confident now! In previous Swell Season songs, your delicate voice was often laced closely to Glen's, but in this one, it's the opposite. You are leading Glen's voice and I think it's beautiful. Your two voices together move incredible things in me and I'll always be there for it. (Crossing my fingers for a Canadian show someday.) Thank you!
Our country doesn't get to enjoy things like "tours" anymore. You should know that by now. We're persona non grata for international artists post-Covid.
This is a perfect assessment of this song.
Have waited so song for New Music from The Swell Season ❤ This is such a gem 💍 I hope you’ll come to Denmark some Day 💐
This song is going to used in soooo many weddings!!❤❤❤
An incredible song!
Absolutely!
Loving this, I can't wait to hear the rest - seeing this put a huge smile on my face. Your music has been a soundtrack to my life and I hope to have the chance to see you live soon. Thanks Mar and Glen for your magic
Lovely and bittersweet. Great video!
My partner and I have been together for 11 years. We're getting married on Friday. To me, it is no coincidence that this came out this week, as it truly speaks to me and our journey together. We took five years apart and I believe we are truly better for it. Was it all worth it? The answer is yes, yes, yes :)
Píseň o lidech, co se měli rádi a po tom všem k sobě našli cestu s přejí si štěstí bez jakékoliv zášti a nenávisti…
Zajímavé, osvěžující a v prostředí zmrdů nereálné!
Ale díky barmance v Újezdu jsem pochopil někde ve světě se vážně děje to, ze lidé se mají přes všechny rozpory a nakonec o rozchody ve finále i rádi a umí se mít nejenomže rádi, ale ze spolu dokáží spolupracovat a vytvořit něco zajímavého….
Hele, to by se v prostředí vás zmrdů nikdy nestalo.
Tečka.
Ale je fajn vidět, ze někde jinde, v jiném prostředí, se to děje.
Díky barmance za osvěžení situace.
V prostředí vás zmrdů nikdy nestalo!!!
Jsem ve špatný zemi…
Jenom proto, ze věci prožívám jinak než vy zmrdi, ze me děláte slabocha….
Hele, me to nevadí….
Me nevadí bejt ve vašich očích slaboch….
Nikdo z vás pro me nemáte hodnotu….
Jste jenom lidi, co jsem potkal….. těch bylo tisíce….
Love it and I love YOUR voice even more along with Glen singing along after all these years. Thank you for this gift.
This song has haunted me since I first heard it this morning. Absolutely wrenchingly beautiful. Truth sung.
I cried the whole time. Incredibly beautiful !!
Just saw these two in Nashville and the concert was just amazing. They said they wrote 18 more songs together. I'm waiting on those.
I didn't know this, now I can't wait for more songs!
This is a beautiful gift. I doubt there was a dry eye in the house when we all hit play.
Thank you, I love this new songs ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Simply beautiful. I am as excited to see you in August as I was in March 2022. That 2022 show refilled me in ways and in places I didn't realize I needed. I can't wait for more restoring music.
You've come a long way from that original recording session in Once but I love how you show the same joy and playfulness from making music together as family and friends
Sedím a nemohu to rozdýchat. Tohle je naprostá nádhera. Hudba i text nemá chybu.
To je tak čistá nádhera, díky Markéto a Glene ❤️🕊️🤍
Krásné...
Brilliant, any chance of a new album? You two together have something very special.. Would love to hear you two duet on "Wherever I fall".
I am just home from tonight’s concert at Vicar Street- what a privilege. Thank you 🙏
When 2 of extremely talented musicians get together with chemistry, this happens. It’s a magic.
Just want to say, your movie and music means a lot to me. Great to see you working together again.
Gracias por todo lo que explicas sobre la producción y el proceso... es fantástico ser parte de la historia que contienen tus canciones.
Love the song and can’t wait to see you both again in Washington, DC!
Saw Glen last night in Portland, ME, and your presence was felt in the room, I thought. Always love it when you two come together to make something magical happen.
이 노래의 가사로 보답 받는 기분이 들어요. 노래해주셔서 고맙습니다. 마음 깊이
I was at the Durham and DC shows. Glen said something profound in that in the spectrum of love romance is such a small slice.
Good song. It was falling slowly that first caught my attention and if you want me. Thanks to both of you for creating and playing nice choon.
Another Masterpiece by two exceptional Musicians and two amazing Voices...please keep creating beautiful music...thanks...
Well this may just be the most powerfully emotionally healthy duet I have ever heard.
Not just crying, but sobbing the whole time. Thank you.
I cannot wait to see the two of you together again in concert in the DC area in August. Your music and your story make my heart smile and my eyes leak happy tears. I look so forward to seeing two dear, old friends playing and singing together, again. Loved reading your liner notes, Markéta. You clearly put so much into them, and it is much appreciated. Thank you for everything! 🫶
Absolute masterpiece. Can’t wait to see you guys live in North Carolina USA In August 🎶
Went on one of the most amazing dates to see this band in 2008, and what an absolute diamond of a show. From the first note by Glen singing without a microphone to a silent audience, he knew he had them for the rest of the night. It was an out of body experience, and seeing them still have that same passion and love of what they do is pure magic in a bottle. We're truly blessed to have had them share their gifts with us. Glen and Mar, thank you from all your fans! 🫶
Outstanding! Shivering. Beautiful 😍 Music and friends is part of the important things in life!
Thanks for the new song, it means a lot to me indeed.😊
Thank you for making the most beautiful music I've ever heard in my life!
Stunning. My heart nearly burst.
How did I just hear this now.
Thank's for be real! ❣️
I was in the swell season concert last night @Chateau Ste Michelle Winery, and this song was the second one you and Glen played if I remember correctly. It was first time I hear it and is just soooo beautiful and romantic, and I almost cried at that moment. Love and thank you for this amazing song!
Krásné, děkuji oběma
My heartttt ❤️
amazing voice..
Thank you for bringing context to this adventure. It’s always brought out a little bit more.
Still amazing together. The song is really beautiful as well. Marketa and Glenn, I never get enough from your music.❤
I love Falling Slowly 110%. This song goes to 111%.
such a beautiful song spreading so much healing energy 💛🤍💛🤍
Can't wait to see you in Seattle. Sending so much love.
Desde que Sion FULLANA ME PRESENTÓ TU MUSICA, eres parte de mis días y mi nueva BSO de vida. Gracias por tanta belleza y capacidad creativa.
Amazing to still hear such beautiful music, the first two albums are incredible, and these guys writing songs about eachother when they were dating and inlove during Once was amazing.
You tried but she still broke your heart Glen. Good luck great music.
I love this so so so much. See you in Dublin 🙏❤
Lovely
Nádherné!!!!❤
Překrásné❤❤❤
Wow, thank you so much for this wonderful song. In this sometimes dark world we need music, lyrics and artists like the both of you. I know I need this in my life, and so grateful for the perfect timing of this song ❤️
They are my favorite couple! When I saw the movie "Once". I was hooked!
Wow, this is beautiful. The dream team!
Mar you make my heart jump with love hope to meet you one day, take care, love for UK
.. so said, that I missed all these times of Glen´s concerts in Brno several years ago (more than decade) - private spirit, pure music orgasm :) ... However and that´s why I can´t miss only one opportunity in Prague this November!!! .. Look forward!!! ..
.. and somehow hope, that Markéta will be there as well :) because than is the circle closed :D ....
AMAZING... EXTRAORDINARY... MAGICAL... WOW ❤❤❤
Unbelievably beautiful. I love your story and incredible authenticity. I’m a forever fan, seeing you live for the second time next week in Washington state for my birthday! First time was on my birthday here in 2010. Thank you for more songs. Keep going! 🙏🏻❤️
Nádherná píseň
Guys, I’m so happy that I’ll see you soon in Boston ❤️
Their music is beautiful! Loved seeing them in Chicago.
Come to Mexico please ❤❤❤
I'm flying in from Germany to see you live in Dublin on July 13th. Thank you for making a dream come true! ❤
půvabné, hluboké a zároveň velmi křehké
What an absolutely wonderful song! Thank you for the brief glimpse into your incredible friendship and all the beauty that has come from it. I am sure it hasn't always been rosey, but thank you for touching so many lives with your talents! How things have worked out is inspiring.
What a beautiful reunion and a nice splash of humor at the end.