If we’re being realistic, I could probably fill about 10 spots on this decade 100 with Dear Hunter songs that I simply adore. That’s how prevalent they’ve been in the rock scene since 2010, with The Color Spectrum marking my introduction to the band in a grand 9 EP, 36 song fashion. Out of all those EPs, I was always partial to Yellow for its overarching pop aesthetic and summer-like warmth. And within that 4 song shell, “Misplaced Devotion” carved a special place out in my mind.
When I think back to 2011, I can’t not start to hum those massive, Coldplay-like woah-oh-oh’s. The whole track has an urgency that isn’t mirrored anywhere else on Yellow, which otherwise possesses a very laid back, tropical sway. The lyrics depict a forbidden relationship and unbridled confidence – two things I could relate to in my early twenties when this track seemed to strike right when I needed it to. Instrumentally, this is a piece that relies on persistent, energetic percussion; otherwise, it’s very much a vocal-centric effort that lives and dies by the strength of the melody. But just as with many DH songs, the melody is the best part and deserves to be highlighted.
More than anything, “Misplaced Devotion” is just one of those earworms that even after a decade I can’t seem to shake. Whenever I parse these 36 songs into a more manageable playlist for practical reasons, this song is the first to make the cut. It’s incredibly fun, catchy, and uplifting pop-rock. So whether or not that’s a good enough reason, I simply can’t imagine creating a personal decade list for myself where this isn’t included.
