101

Albert Hammond Jr.'s song "101" delves into themes of confusion, loss, and the search for direction. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who has lost their way, both literally and metaphorically. The repeated reference to "the 101"—a major highway in California—serves as a metaphor for finding one's path again. The highway symbolizes a route back to familiarity and stability, a place where one can regain control and clarity. This is evident in the lines, "Back to the 101 / If we don't know / Somewhere to go / Back to the 101," suggesting that when all else fails, returning to a known path can provide a sense of direction and purpose.

The song also explores the complexities of relationships and self-identity. The lines, "I never said to feel relaxed / I never said to love me back / What was I next to you?" reflect a sense of unreciprocated feelings and the struggle to understand one's place in a relationship. This emotional turmoil is compounded by the loss of control over one's thoughts and actions, as expressed in, "In my mind it all goes back / Lost control of what I had / All my thoughts left one by one." The repetition of losing one's way and the need to return to the 101 underscores the cyclical nature of these struggles.

Musically, Albert Hammond Jr. is known for his work as a guitarist for The Strokes, and his solo work often carries a similar indie rock vibe. The repetitive, almost mantra-like chorus of "I count the one / I count the one / I count the one oh one" adds a hypnotic quality to the song, emphasizing the need for grounding and repetition to regain a sense of self. The song's structure and lyrical content work together to create a narrative of finding one's way back to a place of comfort and understanding, both physically and emotionally.