In his latest single, “I’m Just the Keyboard Player,” singer-songwriter Matt DeAngelis (@mattdeangelismusic) turns the spotlight on the often-overlooked role of the keyboardist. And, in doing so, he delivers a heartfelt anthem for anyone who’s ever felt in the background.
“This song was written to convey the sometimes solitary life of a traveling musician, and in this case the keyboard player,” DeAngelis explains to Remixd Magazine. “Keyboardists are often hidden in the back of the band, not acknowledged nearly as much as the main members… That was a breakthrough moment, a ‘seeing the light’ moment, if you will.”
Recorded with strong, ballad-like melodies, the track trades flashy production for beauty and restraint. Moreover, giving space for both introspection and emotional resonance. The Las Vegas-shot video reinforces the theme, set against a city where “many musicians play… as ‘back up’ players” and where “you can easily become lost in the daily grind and begin to question the significance of your role.”
Humor in the title
There’s a touch of humor in the title. It’s a wink to industry dynamics. “Yes, it’s a bit tongue in cheek, in that ‘I’m only the background guy, not the mayor,’ but at the same time, ‘don’t forget about me, I’m holding it down,’” DeAngelis says. That humility is balanced with quiet confidence. The kind that comes from knowing your value even without constant recognition.
Compared to his previous single, “For Better,” he describes “I’m Just the Keyboard Player” as “more straightforward with strong ballad-like melodies… intentionally recorded to give a feeling of beauty/melancholy.” While “For Better” tackled societal shifts and technology’s impact on human connection, this new track is “more introspective… where [he] then turn[s] the theme around and relate[s] it to the world with a positive spin.”
Ultimately, the song succeeds because it finds that delicate equilibrium between message, music, and storytelling. “The balance occurs when the message, story, and music are in tandem, cohesively interrelated, feeling as one,” he says. And in “I’m Just the Keyboard Player,” that harmony is unmistakable.
Check out “I’m Just The Keyboard Player” by Matt Deangelis below:
