Song Deconstructed: ‘Stay The Same’ by Beddy Rays

Beddy Rays’ Jacko: “It’s a reminder of how music can heal and bring people together.”

Written in memory of his sister, frontman Jacko turns personal loss into a powerful, communal anthem, as we discover here

Beddy Rays are a four-piece from Brisbane known for distilling stories of mateship, mental health, and growing up coastal into punchy, emotionally charged and rowdy punk that never lose sight of melody. Formed in primary school and breaking out with 2020’s Sobercoaster, the band released their self-titled debut album in 2022. Debuting at No 2 on the ARIA Australian Album chart, its infectious spirit earned the band a dedicated following both at home and abroad.

The gang now return with second album, Do What Ya Wanna. Where the debut was loose and loud, this follow-up leans into clarity – both musically and thematically. The band sharpened their sound into something more deliberate without losing the urgency, and the lyrics walk a line between humour and honesty, offering space for reflection without pulling focus from the songs themselves. In this edition of Song Deconstructed, frontman Jacko breaks down the album’s emotional closing track and winner of the Rock Category at the Queensland Music Awards, Stay The Same…

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INSPIRATION

I wrote this song soon after my sister Brin passed away. It became a way for me to work through the overwhelming emotions I was experiencing – wanting to be there for my family and friends, while still having to carry on with the day-to-day. Music became a safe space where I could process everything I was feeling without needing to explain it. Writing this helped me make sense of the chaos and gave me a way to stay connected to Brin.

LYRICS

I was sitting on my couch with my acoustic guitar and wrote the first two lines. After that, it all just flowed out. That’s how it works a lot of the time—once you get a strong opening line, the rest tends to come naturally. I didn’t sit down with the intention of writing about my sister, but she was on my mind constantly at that time, and it poured out.

The lyric “stay the same” refers to the idea of keeping Brin’s spirit alive and remembering her exactly how she was, forever 28. It’s a tribute to the version of her that lives on in my memories: vibrant, full of life, and unchanged by time. There’s a quiet comfort in knowing that through this song, a part of her will always be here.

MUSIC

I knew I didn’t want it to be a soft acoustic song, so we brought the whole band in to give it that rock energy. We aimed for a driving rhythm reminiscent of Macy’s Day Parade by Green Day. In the original iPhone voice memo, you can hear me whistling a melody during the instrumental break. That melody quickly evolved into a fuzzed-out lead guitar line played by our guitarist, Lewy.

During the demo process, our producer Matt Cochran added slide guitars – one right before the band kicks in, and others in the choruses. It brought another layer of emotion to the song, almost like a helping hand reaching out. In the third verse, we drop the heavy palm-muted guitars, letting the acoustic guitar, light synths, and tambourine take the spotlight before crashing back into the full band.

The bridge had to level up – both sonically and lyrically. While the rhythm guitars stay consistent with the verses, the bassline walks through the chords differently, giving it a unique lift. (My favourite part of the song!). There’s a moment where everything falls away, leaving just the acoustic guitar and vocals. These parts are perfect for a crowd sing-along and always hit hardest live.

Beddy Rays’ Jacko: “There’s a quiet comfort in knowing that through this song, a part of her will always be here.” Photo: Jared Hinz

IN THE STUDIO

We recorded using our engineer’s Canopus drum kit – an absolute beast, handcrafted in Japan. Guitars included a 2011 Gibson Les Paul Junior (left and right channels) and a Fender Telecaster up the middle. The Maton 808 acoustic guitar runs throughout the entire song. Our bass setup was a Fender Telecaster P Bass, run through Brad’s dad’s vintage 1980 Fender Bassman head. Guitar tones came through two different Matchless amps—one a Plexi clone, the other an AC-30 clone – cranked and mic’d through a Hughes & Kettner 4×12 cab. Vocals were captured using a Chandler Limited REDD tube condenser mic, giving the track its warmth and intimacy.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This song has become a staple in our live set. While it still carries a lot of emotion, those feelings have shifted, from being rooted in melancholy to having something more uplifting attached. Hearing stories from others who have connected to the song has helped us process our own grief. It’s a reminder of how music can heal and bring people together. This one means the world to us boys in the band, and you can feel that in every performance.

Beddy Rays’ second album Do What Ya Wanna is out on 18 April and is available to pre-order at warnermusic.com.au – the band will be touring the UK and Europe in May and June, and you can find the dates/tickets at beddyrays.com

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