Ron-Ian Cottam’s “Far Away” Finds Freedom In Leaving

Ron-Ian Cottam’s new single, “Far Away,” gets straight to the point. Written by Billy Marlowe and released via Now Listen in collaboration with Hotdog4theMoon, it is a song about reaching the end of a difficult relationship and deciding that enough is enough. The opening line of the chorus, “I'm going away, far, far away,” tells you where this is heading, and the song sticks to that decision.

The lyrics are direct, with Cottam singing about having spent too long tagging along and finally deciding it is his turn to be free. There is a sense of frustration in the way he describes a relationship that has become one-sided, but the song is not interested in staying there. The repeated “far, far away” gives the chorus its central hook, while the reference to leaving with the morning tide adds a clear sense of departure.

What's brilliant about “Far Away” is that it does not try to dress up its message. The song is about leaving trouble behind, and the words keep coming back to that idea. “I don't care, I'll go anywhere” is the kind of line that makes the song's position clear. It is not about waiting for things to improve. It is about making the decision to go.

The single also carries a personal significance for Cottam. After being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, he stopped playing music for a period before eventually returning to it. He has described “Far Away” as the song he loved playing with his friend and fellow musician Stéphane De Schryver, making this release part of that return.

That context gives the song an added weight, but the focus remains on “Far Away” itself. At its heart, it is a straightforward song about moving on, and its appeal comes from the clarity of its message.

“Far Away” is out now on all major platforms.