Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: guitar
Song Meaning of “Bretagne” by Ulf Wakenius
“Bretagne” by Ulf Wakenius is a melancholic jazz piece that speaks to the poignancy of lost love. Inspiration for the piece was taken from the tranquil beauty of Brittany, located in the northwest of France, which Wakenius visited in 2009. He was moved to compose a song that could express the feelings of beauty, longing, and despair he felt on the trip.
The opening of the song is sparse and fragile, featuring only Wakenius’ guitar playing before slowly blending in a mournful saxophone. Together they create an atmosphere of deep sadness, poignantly describing the longing for someone that has been separated from us. We can feel this sadness radiate from the minor notes that pervade the track, creating a set of emotions that speaks directly to our hearts.
The song is then propelled by a subtle drums pattern and a persistent jazz bassline that move together to an unpredictable tempo. This unpredictability is indicative of the chaotic yet beautiful feelings evoked by the thought of finding something once loved and familiar but no longer accessible.
The simplicity of the melody and the bittersweet feel of it’s rhythm, which can be interpreted as an acceptance of our vulnerabilities, brings the track to a close. The lasting message of “Bretagne” is simply one of hope – the hope that the memories of what has been lost will remain with us, and that the beauty of the past will live forever.