This is a song that spoke to me the first time I heard it on the radio, a couple of years ago. It’s not the most complicated song, in rhythm or lyrics. But maybe it’s the simplicity of it that really touched me.

[spotify https://play.spotify.com/track/3adeqciqrsp6PQqR0hGDC7]

“Bruises” is the story of two old friends, catching up on all their old hurts. When I first heard it, I was far from home, and hyper aware of how important my old friends are to me. So that element spoke to me.

And the chorus is just so universal, that it’s always a great reminder.

“These bruises make for better conversation
Loses the vibe that separates
It’s good to let you in again
You’re not alone in how you’ve been
Everybody loses
We all got bruises”

I think sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in whatever problem you’re dealing with and feel sorry for yourself. But the truth is, everyone has something. And there is something so cathartic about just letting it all go with a friend over a coffee or a beer.

There’s an understanding that we pick up these hurts along the way, and there’s nothing we can do about it. But after a while we can talk about it with a shrug and a smile, and the knowledge that life goes on, for all of us.