Matt DeAngelis Proves the Keyboard Player Can Play the Lead in “I'm Just The Keyboard Player”!
- Esther
- Aug 24
- 4 min read
Back in June, we left Matt DeAngelis at a crossroads with “For Better”, a soulful soft-rock meditation that felt like both a continuation and a quiet evolution, urging listeners to slow down, breathe, and rediscover clarity beneath the noise. Now, just a few months later, the Turnersville troubadour returns not with more of the same but with a bold pivot inward. “I’m Just The Keyboard Player” may wear a playful grin in its title, but beneath that wink lies one of DeAngelis’ most profound artistic statements yet. This new track turns the lens on identity itself, transforming the humble act of playing in the background into an anthem for anyone who’s ever questioned their place in the story. It’s less a detour than a deepening proof that DeAngelis isn’t just writing songs for the sake of it, but he’s carefully mapping the emotional terrain of what it means to live, create, and belong.
Once you dive into the song, it becomes clear this isn’t just a playful jab at band dynamics; it’s a layered, heartfelt meditation on purpose and the universal struggle of finding peace with the role we play in life. The track opens sparsely, just Matt’s voice accompanied by stately piano chords and a grounded bass line. The mood recalls the reflective elegance of Robbie Williams’ She’s the One, yet there’s a slightly dreamlike, almost Keane-like melancholy in the atmosphere. It’s understated, but you can feel the tension in the silence, like the calm before the storm. And then, gradually, the song begins to unfurl. Wordless backing vocals, an electric guitar figure that glides in almost slyly, and the faint shimmer of synths build the canvas. By the time the drums crash in and the full band surges forward, you’re pulled into a sweeping ballad that feels cinematic without ever losing intimacy.
DeAngelis' lyrics strike a rare balance between humor and sincerity. Lines like “I’m just the keyboard player, by God, I ain’t no mayor...” are delivered with a wink, yet underneath the playful rhymes is a genuine confession. This is the story of someone who has spent years in the background-lugging a keyboard from gig to gig, watching bandmates charm the crowd, playing their part faithfully, even when nobody notices. But the deeper you listen, the more it transforms into something bigger. It’s not just about being the “keyboard player.” It’s about anyone who’s ever felt like a supporting character in their own story, only to discover that fulfillment doesn’t come from the spotlight, but from embracing the role itself and realizing its greater significance. That philosophical weight didn’t come out of nowhere. DeAngelis has been honing this perspective since he was a kid. Raised in Turnersville, New Jersey, he’s been at the piano since age seven, mentored closely by his father, John DeAngelis, who still co-produces and guides his work. Over the years, Matt’s collaborators, like guitarist and producer Billy Kennedy, fretless bass magician Eric Bishop, rhythmic anchor Cole Herudek, mix engineer Tom Conran, and, of course, John DeAngelis, have helped shape his sound into something that feels both classic and forward-looking. And you can hear all of them in this track, the shimmering guitars, the fluid bass runs that add a distinct warmth, the percussive drive that keeps the ballad from ever slipping into stagnation.
The thing that stands out most is DeAngelis’ voice, rich, earnest, and flexible enough to carry both the sardonic humor of the verses and the soaring hope of the chorus. He doesn’t oversing; he lets the lyrics breathe. And when he leans into that refrain -
“I’ve got a job, I’ll do it right / and hey, one day I’ll see the light...”
It lands not just as a personal mantra, but as something universal, a kind of hymn for the under-acknowledged. The video, filmed against the neon glow of Las Vegas, is a fitting backdrop for a track about musicians lost in the grind, playing backup in a city that thrives on spectacle. It amplifies the song’s duality: the loneliness of being unseen, and the quiet dignity of showing up night after night anyway.
"I’m Just The Keyboard Player" works because it’s not just about a band member. It’s an allegory about life itself. Not everyone is the frontman, not everyone is the mayor. Sometimes you’re the one keeping time in the shadows. But without you, the song doesn’t work, the whole doesn’t hold. And there’s a kind of spiritual contentment that comes from realizing that. It’s a song that sneaks up on you. You laugh at the humor, you nod at the truth, and before you know it, you’re humming along, strangely comforted by the thought that maybe your place, whatever it is, is exactly where you’re meant to be. Matt DeAngelis proves that sometimes the ones working quietly in the background have the loudest truths to tell. It’s wry, it’s heartfelt, give it a listen, share it around, and let Matt remind you why even the so-called “supporting roles” can end up stealing the show.
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You can check out and follow Matt DeAngelis’ musical journey on his website here : https://www.mattdeangelismusic.com
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