An ongoing playlist of the soundtrack to my life these days. Some songs are all-time favorites, some are just fun to dance around to. Some are deep and thought-provoking, some are shallow and dumb. Some I relate to heavily, some I listen to in search of understanding. Some are jubilant, some are depressing. Some are widely popular, some you won’t know yet.
THE IDEAL WAY TO USE THIS LIST:
read my description first, click on the picture to listen to the song on Spotify, and so on.
But you do you, babe.
My land’s a lawless one.
Merry listening.
Rome – Dermot Kennedy
A song built upon the foundation of nostalgia will get me every single time. Strong writing envy for, “Remember that first laugh? All that changed once I had that, like a hurricane, but I don’t care where I land. So dance carefree, I hope that’s easier knowing me. Now your soul is yours, but I’ll help it move if I can.”
Sing of the Moon – The Collection
This song makes me think of going away for the summer to some lake in the middle of nowhere, sitting on the dock under the stars, and living a life that’s as simple and it should be.
I Wonder – Bay Ledges
Is it headphones on on a downtown train, or the window seat of an outbound plane? Is it LA sunny or Memphis blue? I wish I knew.
Roots – RYVOLI
Okay, so, I really hate to be that person, but I can’t help but think ravioli when I see the duo’s name. In actuality, Sam and Jenn met one another while working for a nonprofit in Paris and named themselves after Rue de Rivoli, the main East/West street that runs through the heart of the city. So, uh, much more quaint than pasta, but once you see it, it’s just there.
Bette Davis Eyes – Kim Carnes
If you know me, you know I’m a big supporter of singer-songwriter situations, so I’m regretful to report that this was not one. Inspired by the 1942 movie New Voyager staring Bette Davis, Jackie DeShannon wrote and recorded this song as a 1920s-sounding jazz number for her album New Arrangements. About five years later, Kim rearranged and recorded the song with the help of her band, producer, “cheapest-sounding” drum set they could find, and an early synthesizer, turning it into the hit we know and love today. Or hate. Or are just plain confused by. I hear her voice was commonly mistaken for Rod Stewart’s, which makes me laugh a little. I’ve also gathered this seems to be one of those songs you either really jam out to, or can’t stand at all. Thankfully, Bette Davis herself liked it because it made her “cool” in the eyes of her granddaughter for being name dropped in a hit. But, what’s actually the deal with Bette Davis’ eyes? It’s widely believed the starlet had Grave’s disease, a thyroid and immunological condition that causes the muscles and tissue surrounding the eyes to swell, pushing them forward in a bulging-type manner. Not so glamorous after all, huh?
that’s just how it goes – ROLE MODEL
that’s just how it goes.
Bartender – Lana Del Rey
Taylor Swift recently named Lana as her favorite lyricist, and I – being a big Taylor and Lana fan since early on – still feel majorly proud of that little crossover. Lana is excellent and clever with her words, and has always considered herself to be a writer over a singer/musician, which I appreciate. HOWEVER. I don’t know that I would name her as my favorite lyricist – I think in order for her writing to be what it is, you need the full visuals and retro glam style that only Lana can give, and it’s the complete combination that makes her so great, not necessarily the words she puts on paper. That being said, my favorite lines of this song – the lines that spoke to my heart and attached to my brain – are: “I bought me a truck in the middle of the night, it’ll buy me a year if I play my cards right. Photo-free exits from baby’s bedside, cause they don’t yet know what car I drive. I’m just trying to keep my love alive.” I Know Places? Anyone? This whole song sounds like it could be a movie and I love that. Except change the paparazzi references to, like, police references because she’s a criminal on the run. Golden.
Winter – Daughter
This song, in essence, is being hurt by love. Watching a fiery relationship slip away, turning colder and colder until you’re strangers, leaving you with nothing. Nobody does emotional anguish like Elena.
That’s When I Feel It – Richard Ashcroft
Full disclosure: when I first heard this song, I truly thought it was from the ’80s. It even sounded really familiar to me, furthering the narrative in my mind that it was old. But then I heard that Richard Ashcroft was the lead singer of The Verve, and that’s when everything that I thought I knew about this song fell apart. So, my bad. It totally has that classic-rock-meets-’80s-big-synth-pop-sound to it, no? Oh well. It’s a fun bop, whether it be thirty years ago, one year ago when it actually came out, or today.
Chateau – Angus and Julia Stone
For starters, you know I’m going to be into anything that’s called Chateau. Like, duh. Secondly, nobody does dreamy indie pop like the Stones. Lastly, Dacre Montgomery is in the music video, aka Billy from Stranger Things. And, well, let’s just say that the over-zealous hair in the show didn’t do him too many favors, but he ain’t half bad as himself. Or as the cool love interest in music videos. Ha.
Guts – Augustine
Okay, so, I’ll admit that my affinity with this song is wholly sound-based. For probably the first dozen times listening, I had zero idea what the heck he was even singing about. Seriously, I’ll take it a step further and admit that once I discovered that the dude’s a bedroom singer-songwriter-producer from Sweden, I couldn’t even remember for sure if the words were in English. Spoiler: they are. Nothing overly deep, the song paints a scene of a couple waking up hungover. Classy. Ha. My favorite line is in the second part of the chorus; it’s already been established that the love interest is having a rough time, but the narrator says, “I, on the other hand, feel fine with the way I am. I awoke to her elegance. I’ve figured out a way to make amends.” I think those lines pinpoint the message of the whole song: horrible parts of life spent with someone you love are really not so bad after all. That so long as you have who you need, you’ll figure the rest out.
Compass – Jamie Lidell
The first half of this song is good and all, but it’s the second half that truly shines and makes this one a standout. Whimsically mixing old bluesy tunes with a wide array of modern-day tech sounds, I proclaim the result to be an utterly chaotic, yet masterfully done, artistic experiment-gone-right.
Pasadena – Mckenzie Lockhart
Was blessed to hear of Mckenzie’s music thanks to the two brilliant ladies who manage her. Was also blessed to see Mckenzie live and cried during the show, which may have been a first? Maybe? So, that’s really special. I’d point you in the direction of which song made me cry, but it’s not out yet, so you’ll just have to enjoy this one in the meantime. Which isn’t much of a compromise at all. So, like, sorry, but also you’re welcome.
The Corner – Dermot Kennedy
Dermot’s self-proclaimed “most honest” song takes you on quite the journey, not just with the raw lyrics, but music that accompanies them. Notice how The Corner starts small with just a guitar, smoothly builds and builds in that certain way his songs do, boasts a full band in all its glory by the bridge, and then breaks off again, leaving us with only his voice and a couple plucks of the guitar by the last line. There’s more to telling a story than the words you say. There’s more to being a storyteller than telling your audience how to feel.
Bishop – Penny and Sparrow
I’ve probably said this before, but I’ll fervently say it again: should the opportunity ever arise for you to attend a Penny and Sparrow concert, TAKE ADVANTAGE AND GO. The pair are so awkwardly, yet charmingly, funny and entertaining. Andy has quite possibly the best voice I have ever heard live (like, it sounds even better than the studio versions somehow). And I can attest that they are some of the sweetest people you will ever meet and fully deserving of your utmost support. My love is real and yours will be too.
Not My Baby – Alvvays
I feel alive for the first time, since I don’t know how long. I see a light for the first time, since I don’t know how long.
If You Need Me – Julia Michaels
I seriously don’t know what sort of magic Julia evidently possesses, but it’s gotta be something with as frequently as she’s able to bust out music for herself and others. It’s all so good too. She’s basically the songwriting queen of modern-day pop. Look up a list of her credits if you don’t believe me. I mean, writers’ block? Anyone?
Seen a Ghost – Old Sea Brigade
Dark, brooding, and slightly ominous, this entire song is such a mood. The suffocating sensation of holding yourself down to picture days gone by, knowing somewhere in the corner of your mind that it’s detrimental, but always going back anyway. The lyrics are clever while remaining poetic. It’s a truly beautiful piece of art. Also, Ben here is a Georgia boy, and you know I always support those.
Homegirl – King Princess
Fun fact: Mikaela is the great-great-granddaughter of Isidor Straus. Like, THE Isidor Straus who was a US congressman and co-founder of Macy’s who died on the Titanic. That’s an exciting lineage. As for this song, it sounds very suave and old New York, which is quite appropriate for her. I have writing envy for, “You taste like danger, but I feel so safe in your arms.”
The Stars – Nick Shattuck
This dying dusk paints the water top.
Drop To Hold You – Matt Nathanson
A sweet song that explores the idea that once you’ve found true love, it reigns over most everything else. That there are only so many things you can hold at once, so you’ll drop all the pointless crap in your life to free your hands up.
Love You For A Long Time – Maggie Rogers
This song makes me think of traveling. Of being on the road. It takes me back to Austin, to Cenote, although I couldn’t tell you why. Maybe Maggie has become Austin to me now, I don’t know. She said of the song: “I actually wrote most of Love You For A Long Time the day before I wrote Light On. Those last days of finishing Heard It In A Past Life were such vivid and vital creative moments for me. I was dreaming up a future – for my music, for my life – and the possibilities felt endless. For various reasons, but mostly scheduling, the song was left unfinished and unrecorded, but it always stuck with me and I’ve found its melody weaving in and out of my brain for the last year and a half…. It’s a song about love in all its forms — romantic love, the love I feel for my friends, the love I feel for my band, and the love I’ve shared with all of you. I wanted it to sound like the last days of summer. I wanted it to sound as wild and alive as new love feels.” Thank you, Maggie. Thank you. Also, real quick, can we just take a moment to appreciate the cover art? Those colors. Swooning.
Emotional – okaywill
Sometimes, when I don’t have anything in particular to say about a song, I’ll search the artist on Instagram just to see if anything strikes my interest. That’s what I did here, and I ended up finding this sketch of the Goodwill logo, but with okaywill instead, and that’s when the play on words clicked with me, and, well, I appreciate that sort of thing. Not goodwill, just okaywill. Same, honestly. Same.
Lottery (Acoustic) – Jade Bird
This song – and some of the verbiage used, if I’m not mistaken – came about from an actual conversation that happened in a cafe between Jade and her ex. Love had faded for her, but not so much for him. Navigating those relational waters after a break up is treacherous and this song emotes those feelings well. So much of who you once were gets tied up with past lovers, and it’s a double-whammy to let all that go, BUT IT MUST BE DONE. not that i feel strongly about this or anything. ha.
Tell Me What You Want (I Want It) – Carver Commodore
“Like Charles Dickens in the ninth grade, I wanna give up on you.” Okay, so your friendly librarian is back, but just for a moment. This song takes me back to the Shoals, where the sense of music and community are so vast, yet so intertwined. Never thought I’d dream of moving to Alabama, yet here we are. I miss it there. Someday…
Send Your Youth – Cold Specks
The kind of song you put your headphones on for, turning the volume up, letting the music bounce around in your skull until it reverberates back to you for days. Also, you know I gotta support literary tie-ins in music: “Born all in the dark wormy earth, cold specks of fire, evil, lights shining in the darkness,” James Joyce’s Ulysses. Cold Specks. There you have it. Your friendly neighborhood librarian has done her duty and is now signing out. xo
It’ll All Work Out – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Another one where the song sounds almost happy at first, but quickly proves otherwise as the longing sets in. In a nutshell, it’s about not knowing how good you have it until it’s gone. Being too focused on work or another person or hobby or whatever else to be fully present and emotionally available for your partner until it’s too late. Although released in 1987, long before everyone had smartphones and social media, it makes me picture the narrator sitting alone at home, stalking his ex on Instagram, watching her live a better life with someone else, and feeling bitter regret. A more optimistically delusional version of The Moth and the Flame’s Beautiful Coach, as previously touched on.
Next to You – John Vincent III
Overall self-explanatory. Just a pretty, romantic song about taking on the adventure of life forever next to your person. It sounds like being in love, and I hope to feel that way someday. To see for myself that it’s a real thing. Alas, as it is, I’m cynical and uncertain. Bodes well for art, either way.
Mountain to Move – Nick Mulvey
The opening line to this song is, “Caught up in specialness,” and as an Enneagram Four, I know a thing or two about that *insert sheepish grin.* The line came from a book by Ram Dass titled The Only Dance There Is. Nick says, “Reading that book gave me (a) key line, I realized I had been ‘caught up in specialness’. I realized I was unhappy and had to change, and it was my responsibility and mine alone to make that change for myself. It was time to surrender, to let go of the impatience and self- criticism.” Touche. Another key line to this song – this whole album – is “Wake up now.” Nick explains the phrase is, “‘more of a message to myself, a reminder, it’s not about preaching to you. It’s also one of those phrases that is a reflection of what the reader wants it to be – for some people ‘wake up now’ is politically charged, or about climate change, and for others it might just be a song about breakfast – it can be different for me every day. Small actions can create big changes.” I hereby command you, my dear reader, to wake up now and listened to this song.
Crying Over You – HONNE ft. BEKA
I don’t know why I’ve been crying over you. For the life of me, I wish that I knew.
Fortress – Lennon Stella
Sometimes you have to learn to let your walls come down. And then sometimes, you have to learn to build them, one difficult brick at a time, for protection against the ones who used to roam the most private of chambers with you. Sometimes, you have to put you first.
Easier – Mansionair
You ever find yourself lying on your bed, staring at the ceiling, hopelessly contemplating your life and wishing for it to change, yet not knowing what to do or how to move forward? Like you’re just stuck running in place, facing this wall that kinda grows and shrinks, depending on the day? Basically, that’s the story of my life, and basically that’s the story of this song, so basically we’re a match made in heaven.
Just Friends – Morgan Saint
So, this is a fun bop that was cleverly written, but friends hooking up with friends with no intention of going anywhere in the relationship beyond that irks me to no end, despite it being none of my business. The impending unnecessary heartbreak that is bound to be involved… yikes. That being said, I’m still really into this song. Parts of it remind me of Big Jet Plane by Angus and Julia Stone, or just something they’d sing in general. You’ll either hear exactly what I’m talking about, or think I’m insane, but it’s there, hiding underneath the cool, smooth sounds.
Scarecrow In The Garden – Chris Stapleton
On the surface, this may sound like a quaint little ditty about a few generations farming the land, but if you listen closely, it’s much more ominous. Chris confirmed to ABC Radio, “It’s a farming/suicide song for the most part, you know,” *laughs.* “So it’s not exactly like, it’s not happy fare at all. But it’s a fun story-song – fun’s not the right word – but for me it’s fun, you know. I love things with story and substance and I feel like lyrically and subject-matter-wise, that thing has all that to me. And I just love the imagery in that song.” Farming/suicide song? Count me in.
Dandelion – Oliver Hazard
There’s something especially lovely about songs centered around flowers, and this is no exception. Evidently the band went into the studio, recorded this song in one live take, and called it a day. If that level of confidence isn’t admirable, I don’t know what is.
Choke – King Charles
Produced and co-written by Marcus Mumford. Need I say more?
Wolf Like Me – TV On The Radio
Initially, I found and fell in love with this song through Lera Lynn’s cover featuring Shovels & Rope on her album Plays Well With Others. I really, really love her version and planned to add it to this playlist up until I changed my mind last-minute. Ya see, in the past, I’ve talked about the magic of hearing a song in its original form, and this is no exception. The two versions are quite different, and I honestly encourage you to listen to both. Soak in that juxtaposition. The lyrics are the same, but with each artist comes different imagery, and I really think that’s worthy of appreciation. Tv On The Radio makes the song seem modern and cool, the backdrop a gritty city with fancy cars and sunglasses. The group is from Brooklyn and you can hear it. Lera makes it feel more small-town Bonnie and Clyde during the Depression era. Smooth and mysterious. You can hear Lera’s Southern roots. Both are dark, but Tv On The Radio may deal you some drugs in the back alley, and Lera may cast some voodoo curse on you underneath the Spanish moss. Listen and you’ll see what I mean.
Atalanta – Rina Mushonga
Once upon a time in 8 AD, Roman poet Ovid wrote an epic titled Metamorphoses, chronicling a loosely true, mythological-based history of the world. In this poem, Atalanta is a strong independent huntress woman who don’t need no man. Our heroine is strong, fierce, athletic, and exactly the opposite of how most women throughout history are portrayed. Unfortunately, Atalanta’s independence is abruptly stolen when she’s tricked into marrying Hippomenes, and then consequently gets turned into a lion. Just, ya know. As one does. Though her story doesn’t have the ideal ending, Atalanta continues to a hold a legacy of being a powerful and fiery female icon. Rina pulled inspiration from this story, penned this women-empowerment song, and the rest is history. Although, if we’re being totally honest, this Georgia gal automatically associates Atalanta with Atlanta, and now my brain has been known to purposefully mispronounce my home city after this song, so there’s that. It’s just got such a ring to it.
Girl in Calico – Tow’rs
This song is just stunning. Lyrics aside, it’s one of the most beautiful-sounding songs I can think of. The opening riff that slices through the cellos has such a nostalgic taste. Immediately, I feel this sense of melancholy, both for parts of my life that are forever lost, and also for different lives I’ve never lived. The lyrics themselves are tricky. Very poetic, but left open for interpretation. Common consensus is that it’s just a pretty love song, and it very well may be, but something about the music feels more wistfully sad to me. “You still laugh to talk of the past, now contrast, we’re strangers. I still recall the day that we met; you were wearing your calico dress. Out of all the things that I regret, honey, you are not one of them.” Even if it’s supposed to be a pretty love ballad, and even though later in the song it mentions “in sickness and health” which obviously insinuates marriage, I prefer to imagine it being sung about a great love that got away. A love that couldn’t work out in the end, but you look back and still find yourself loving and missing that person and remembering when it was sweetest. No matter what tough stuff they put you through towards the end, you can’t regret them. That calico dress still makes you weak. Hi, my name’s Kaleigh and I am hopelessly romantic.
Should’ve Known Better – Gabi DiPace
Know your worth, Queen.
Letting Go – Dotan
This is such a… cinematic song. Big. Victorious. It reminds me of ancient Greeks and Romans and chariots and gladiators. A real fight between good and evil. Where shadows overtook the crown, but after a hundred cursed years and twenty-thousand bloody fists, the light takes it back. If this year of my life were to become a movie, and that movie were to have a soundtrack, this would be on it. It feels appropriate.
Dancing After Death – Matt Maeson
This song came out seven months ago, and I’m finally able to listen to it instead of skipping to the next track. Sad songs are my jam, but only if at worst they make me cry. This one hit different, but I’m over it now. And thank goodness, because this is a great song. The music is my favorite – it reminds me of a funhouse or carnival or clown lineup. Something that seems kinda fun and whimsical, yet unmistakably ominous.
Late Night Feelings – Mark Ronson ft. Lykke Li
Is it love? Is is lust? Is it hurt? Is it heartbreak? Who’s to say? Dang-sure maddening though. All those hours? They never fix anything. All those hours? You never get them back.
Lily Love – The Chieftains ft. The Civil Wars
A song with the Civil Wars I never knew existed until just now. After all these years. A gift from heaven on this cold lonesome day. I am SHOOK. And also longing for summertime among the flower-filled cliffs by the sea.
Big Brown Bus – Ruston Kelly
I WAS TODAY-YEARS-OLD WHEN I FOUND OUT RUSTON IS MARRIED TO KACEY FREAKIN’ MUSGRAVES THAT IS NOT WHO I WOULD HAVE PICTURED HIM WITH WHAT THE HECK I HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO THEM INDEPENDENTLY FOR YEARS AND SAW RUSTON LIVE A FEW MONTHS AGO AND NEVER HAD THE SLIGHTEST INKLING THEY WERE CONNECTED IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM MY ENTIRE LIFE IS A LIE
Silver Lining – Hayley Gene Penner
Hayley is quickly becoming one of my favorite singer-songwriters, and I have my pal Andy Baxter to thank for that. Promote what you love and believe in, folks. There’s nothing more powerful than recommendations from trusted sources. Your words can turn a nobody into a somebody for someone. Your words can help make dreams come true.
Consideration – Rihanna
Remember that bright and cheery afternoon you called me on the phone and matter-of-factly stated all my painting (and writing and reading) was just a big waste of time? That that’s all I ever do? Waste my time? Well, ya girl has paintings out in five stores now with active plans for more, and as it turns out, the only waste of time here was you.
better off – Jeremy Zucker ft. Chelsea Cutler
There’s this common phenomenon with classic women writers: they rarely marry. I used to think it was kinda tragic. Like maybe the craft of writing is too intertwined with sadness to ever be happy in a relationship. Or maybe difficult situations craft excellent writers. Or maybe they were too eccentric for their time and the menfolk couldn’t handle it. Whatever the situation, I always pictured it unfortunate. These days, I mostly wonder if they chose it. If they had so many things they wanted to create, they didn’t feel that loneliness that drives others to companionship. If they didn’t want the burden of looking after someone else, stealing time away from their projects. I don’t know. Maybe it was sad for them. Or maybe we’re better off alone.
Love It Or Leave It – Asaf Avidan
Okay, if you want to feel shook, go search for a live video of this song. My dudes, THIS IS A MAN. Watching the words come out of his mouth is truly an experience. Not gonna lie, I always fully believed this Asaf person must be a soulful black woman, but now I know it’s not and it’s left me feeling somewhere between horrified and obsessed.
Still Clean – Soccer Mommy
You’re still all over me like a wine-stained dress I can’t wear anymore.
Cinnamon Girl – Lana Del Rey
Funny how the most simple of phrases can be the most gutting. “If you hold me without hurting me, you’ll be the first who ever did.” I’m so envious that I didn’t think of it first. Add it to my list of writing envies.
Heartless (Mahogany Sessions) – Seafret
This may come off as sounding freakin’ bizarre, but I get this certain phenomenon with certain songs where my soul appreciates the music so much, I crave the thought of like, burying myself in the song. Of living inside of it. Of having the entire rest of the world blacked out so the song is the only thing I hear, see, feel. I long for the music to run through my veins, my heart jolted to beat in time. It’s silly, and you probably think I’m a lunatic, but it’s fine. Get your headphones out, listen to this one, and tell me your soul doesn’t long to live inside of it too.
Lost – The Goo Goo Dolls
I’m picky about ’90s music. Call me crazy, but it’s typically not a decade I naturally gravitate to. Bad taste? Childhood trauma? Who’s to say. The Goo Goo Dolls, however, never fail to do it for me, even after all these years. Old music, new music, I’m down.
Last Call – Lee Ann Womack
We all have that one contact in our phone titled something akin to, “Not Today, Satan,” saved for the singular purpose of knowing when *not* to answer, right? Please tell me I’m not the only one.
Outgrown – Dermot Kennedy
So, I have mixed feelings about this song. It’s good. Heck, I’d probably love it if I could hear it as its own entity. But it’s not. So I can’t. The verses to Outgrown follow the exact same melody of his unreleased song that goes by the stand-in name of Malay. Like, the exact same melody. But Outgrown isn’t as good, as dark, as emotionally-captivating as Malay, in my personal opinion. I got to hear Malay live once, and it was truly enamoring. I bought a t-shirt with the lyrics to it from his merch stand. I had high hopes and expectations that it would make it to the album. But it didn’t. To have Outgrown basically take its place feels kinda like a slap in the face, but I trust there was good reason for it. As I said, it is a really good song. It’s just not Malay. Not that I’m bitter or anything. Ha. (I love you forever and always, Dermot).
Rhiannon – Fleetwood Mac
Stevie wrote this song on piano with a little help from Lindsey before the pair joined Fleetwood. Inspired after reading Triad by Mary Leader, the song was based around the book’s plot surrounding a woman who believed she was being possessed by the spirit of another woman named Rhiannon. That Rhiannon was inspired by a Welsh goddess of the moon and fertility by the same name who was believed to have shunned a fellow god and prospective love interest in pursuit of a mortal man. Legend goes that the spurned god then went and framed Rhiannon for the murder of her own son, forcing her to stand at the city entrance and proclaim to every passerby that she killed her child. It’s a really lovely tale. Obviously. Stevie claims not to have known about the Welsh story until after writing the song, but felt her lyrics fit in with it, “Rhiannon wasn’t a witch at all; she was a mythological queen. But my story was definitely written about a celestial being, I didn’t know who Rhiannon was, exactly, but I knew she was not of this world.”
To Be Young- Tall Heights
I take this song as a reminder to see the big picture. They say ‘live in the moment,’ and that’s important in its own way, but sometimes you gotta open your eyes to the things that will still matter in three years, and maybe lighten up on the things that won’t. We’re young and we feel immortal, but we’re not. We’ll grow, we’ll change, we’ll forget, we’ll regret, we’ll die. No matter what, the here and now isn’t all that there is. It’s beautiful, it’s frightening, it’s comforting, it’s chaotic, it’s the way of life.
Every Time I Hear That Song – Brandi Carlile
It’s my dream to make something good enough in this life to warrant having my portrait painted in this kind of fashion. Sure, I can do my own, but it’s neat seeing what you’re like through the eyes of someone else. I’ve never had someone create art of my face, even in those silly cartoon sketches you can get at fairs and amusement parks. It’s on my bucket list though. Actually, can I just be Brandi when I grow up? That sounds better.
Loneliness – Aaron Taos
Depression is a romantic, but I won’t spend my life with him.
Untouchable – Luna Halo
If this song sounds familiar at first but slightly off, and then you realize who does the cover you’re more accustomed to, then:
1. I love you
2. Isn’t the original so fun and different? And different? And different?
This is the first song I learned to pick on guitar years ago. It’s simple, but the lyrics are enchanting. Probably the loveliest song I can think of in this genre of music, honestly.
Runaway – Matt Corby
You heard the sirens wailing
Thought it might be true
But nothing can prepare you
For the frigid way she moves
She speaks the way she wants
With words tumbling out
A hailstorm of thoughts
Bringing silence to your doubt
She summons spears of rain
With a touch of her hand
Your own heart a hurricane
As you try to understand
You became a dark cloud
On every bright sunny day
So she learned to be a storm
Powered by a heart’s tirade
You’ll run far, far away
If you know what’s best to do
Her eyes louder than thunder
She no longer cares for you
In one split motion snap
Lightning could strike out
Forests burning, towers roaring
She could tear the whole world down
But in the early hours
She watches as you flee
Whispering sweet poems
Over bells of urgency
Instead, grace floods the land
Her sunlight dries it clean
With flowers growing at her feet
She dances a victory.
Disappear – Adrianne Lenker
Whenever I hear this song, I can’t help but picture Mia Thermopolis hiding in her mustang on that dark, rainy night, wishing she could disappear from high school, much less her princess obligations. Personally, I find it to be more catchy and enamoring than the catch a falling star and put it in your pocket song, but to each her own.
Without Fear – Dermot Kennedy
This is my favorite newly-released song from the album, although if you’re a huge Dermot fan, you know the song’s been around for a while. The whole thing is really beautiful and a journey in and of itself, but it’s the last part that really hits home. A hurricane of feelings and chills. Gut-wrenching, but in this amazing way. “And now I really think you’re heaven-sent, cause you’ve been forcing all these hollow hearts to feel again. And now I really think you’re heaven-sent, but there’s a beauty in being broken, I’ve been seeing it.” I am not okay. I will never be okay again.
Wild Roses – Of Monsters and Men
Nanna describes this song as being about “leaning into your sadness.” So, basically, it’s about my entire life. Wild Roses: An Autobiography. I like it.
When Am I Gonna Lose You – Local Natives
When everything is going well, when you find yourself falling in love with your life, do you ever get that little knot of dread in your stomach? That feeling of doom when you should simply be happy for what’s in front of you? That’s what this song is about. Finding something (someone) so great, all you can think about is losing it somehow. Beating yourself up over the many ways you think you’re gonna screw things up. Staring at the clouds in the distance and painting in a storm instead of watching the sunrise.
Wither – Shakey Graves
I’ve come to the hard conclusion that I am not clever enough for Shakey. I love the man dearly, and respect whatever it is that goes on in that brain of his, but so much of what he says is… tricky. Personally, I hear the song as a metaphor for relationships and marriage. It’s cynical and sarcastic. Everyone’s love story is growing old together, but Wither paints it in a different light. It pokes at the idea of pledging yourself to something you figure is doomed to fail, statistically. Of forcing something good to drag on and on until it slows down, tired and worn, and kills over. Of stupidly living a miserable life for the sake of staying together. Of cutting at each others throats when you know things are teetering instead of nurturing things in a healthy way. Of simply crossing your fingers that things will work out for you as you watch every couple you know get a divorce. I could be way off though. As previously stated, I am not clever enough for Shakey. It could be about polar bears being forced to eat raisins to keep from starving in the North Pole, as far as I know.
Don’t Call Me – The Highwomen
I still choke on my own spit a little every time I hear this song. Specifically the part at the end.
Line in the Sand – Neal Carpenter
A couple carrying trays, a quarter of a man, half a man on part of a horse, and half of a mountain. I don’t know what’s going on with this album art, but I am obsessed.
Waiting for You – The Aces
There’s this guy I see at a certain coffee shop every now and then, and I can’t explain what it is about him, but he’s endearing to me somehow. He comes off as more quiet and soft, a little shy and odd like myself. I’m always there alone, he’s always there alone. The only time we’ve ever spoken is when he asked if he could borrow the newspaper I had sitting untouched at my table; I was too busy working on my crossword puzzle to read. Of course I let him take it, and then he started working on the crossword puzzle included in the paper, and that was the moment that I knew we were kindred spirits. I just happened to see him last night. He walked in and scanned the room and our eyes met. It was literally like a movie moment. I smiled real nice-like, and he smiled back, and it was really lovely and warm and genuine-seeming instead of just stiff and polite, but then I got really really really shy and ducked down to look at the notebook I was writing in and he quickly left without even getting a cup of coffee. So that’s when I knew he probably thinks I’m a serial killer or psychotic or just plain stalking him. Or writing about him on my website. Psshh. Ridiculous. That’s the end of the story for now, but I’ll let you know when I get a restraining order notice in the mail. Ha.
Hope I Die – John Paul White
This song is pretty straightforward and simple, but I’m enamored with the concept. Although rather bleak and depressing, it’s maybe one of the most romantic songs out there about a lost love that was so great, you hope you die before ever moving on. Sorta dramatic. Just, like, a tiny bit, but I’m here for it.
Dancing Under Red Skies – Dermot Kennedy
Dermot’s been playing this song for years at live shows, and now it’s such a relief to finally have a high-quality, streamable recording. I get the concept, but prefer to view it as a love song dedicated to all the artists and creatives out there. The folks who make a life of studying their own heart and soul, and in turn, touch the souls of others. The chorus gives me goosebumps. It’s my dream for someone to feel as though my writing does that for them. Oh, hey, also, remember that time I made a necklace inspired by this song, and then Dermot shared it on Instagram and it got all sorts of traffic and over a hundred other people started sharing my necklace too? Yeah, good times, good times *faints.*
Doing The Right Thing – Daughter
This song is special to me. It tells a story from the perspective of someone elderly and losing the ability to think functionally, which I personally had to deal with over the course of a few years while helping take care of my great grandmother with dementia. It’s this weird delicate balance – people suffering from such things are often aware that they’re struggling, but not aware of the full extent. During certain conversations, they seem like they always did, and I suppose they probably think thoughts like they always have, but then they do or say something that’s off or wrong. They ask the same question a million times because they can’t remember asking. Or worse yet, they do remember already asking, but sheepishly keep asking again and again because the answer isn’t staying with them. Sometimes they say stuff that just plain doesn’t make sense. It’s like they truly are living in a different world. A different time and place. What a confusing way to have to go through life. How are you to treat them? They’re not regular-thinking, logical people with sound minds anymore, but they’re not fully unaware or stupid either. The saddest part to it all, I think, is the loss of meaning to life. Once you can’t think well enough to independently do anything, there’s nothing left to live for. I used to see my great grandmother spend every single day watching tv, reading the newspaper, and napping in her chair, and that was it. Every day was the exact same. It felt like she was basically waiting to die. I hated watching it. It’s a terrible way to live, and I hope I die before my life becomes that way.
Light Years – The National
The kind of song you cry to on dark stormy evenings. I have writing envy for the lines: “I thought I saw your mother last weekend in the park; it could have been anybody, it was after dark. Everyone was lighting up in the shadows alone. You could have been right there next to me, and I’d have never known.” So good. Gosh.
Revolving Door – Joseph
Ack, my heart. This song seriously hurts, yet I just keep listening to it. The revolving door is still revolving, but I got out and ran.
False God – Taylor Swift
I didn’t want to fall in love with this one, but I went and did it. Songs about something substituting religion tend to make me a bit uncomfortable, but this one was done well. In order to make relationships work, I think there is some level of worship involved, some level of holiness. I don’t condone putting anything above God, but if you find heaven at the touch of a hand and hell at a crossing of words, it doesn’t have to be in a sacrilegious manner. But dang if it ain’t smooth.
Peach Fuzz – Caamp
That warm back room in the little bungalow on a pretty September night, suitcases and headphones, headlights and a dress.
Darkness Falls so Quiet – Nicole Atkins
My favorite Nicole song. Got to sit in on a meeting with Nicole, her manager, and label about an upcoming album, and now I’m really looking forward to seeing the things discussed become reality. Early to mid 2020, folks. Keep your eyes peeled.
Rivertown – Penny and Sparrow
After all this time, I was finally able to have Rivertown for lunch today. And dinner last night. And dinner the night before. And lunch the day before. And it was closed the day before that, but I had coffee the day before. Good stuff, man. It was a huge moment in my life. Florence rules.
Paratrooper’s Battlecry – Ruston Kelly
Sometimes, you hear songs live and they all of a sudden click with you and it’s nothing short of mystifying. That’s what happened here. To hear the story Ruston gave leading up to this song, the audience singing along, and a random dude in the crowd yelling at the end, “That’s a good song!” all came together in a perfect storm to form my new obsession.
My & My Dog – Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus
Honestly, this song is life. Every lyric tells a story that I’ve lived and I really love these girls and what they’ve put out and have all my limbs crossed that they’ll be up for round II here one of these days.
Wilderlove – John Mark McMillan ft. Joy Williams
I’m really offended that this song has been out for years featuring my girl Joy, and this is the first I’m hearing of it. Like, how did I not know it existed until now? Personally attacked
Jimmy Sparks – The Lumineers
I JUST ABOUT LOST MY FREAKING MIND WHEN THIS SONG STARTED PLAYING TO THE SAME TUNE OF NIGHTSHADE.Chapter III is the best trilogy of songs on the album. There. I said it. Feeling all the feels. Happy Friday the thirteenth.
Into You – Julia Michaels
That all-too-familiar feeling that running a million miles into oblivion wouldn’t be far enough away from the ghosts of your past. That logical need for separation balanced out with the emotional want of reunion. The push and pull, the fright and flight.
Kisser – Step Rockets
I’m obsessed with the line, “Digging my own graveyard for all my deadly thoughts and dreams, slowly choking my own red heart so I can give myself to thee.” Have you ever gotten to know someone in some kind of capacity, and you really like that person, but you begin to feel like you have to bury the darker / more strange / unconventional / *insert whatever else personally speaks to you* qualities about yourself in order to maintain the relationship? You justify it, convincing yourself that that side of you is messed up anyway and needs to go. You make yourself believe that this relationship is furthering the betterment of your soul and improving your personality, when in actuality, it’s making you fall apart piece by piece as you realize your harmless and authentic self must not be good enough for this person/relationship if you feel you can’t show it, and holding dimensions of you underwater gets exhausting and overwhelming. You ever been there? Yeah, well, me too, but not anymore.
You Can’t Fire Me, I Quit – Tacocat
This is how the world works, you gotta leave before you get left. This song is so. dang. fun. And look at that artwork, wouldja. Dang.
Alibi – Mansionair
Time to jump in the getaway car and speed away.
Kids These Days – Shakey Graves
Millennials. Can’t live with ’em, can’t live without ’em. Until we’re older, that is, and the next generation inherits all the grief of being in a young and dumb stage. In our chastisement, we’ll look in their wide eyes and see a fleck familiarity from our own youth, and then we’ll shake our heads until we forget what we saw. Tale as old as time, no? Watch the world continue to spin.
I Can Make You Feel Young Again – Copeland
I still can’t hear Copeland without thinking of Blimey Cow. And, I mean, if you know, you know.
Salt And The Sea – The Lumineers
For sure one of my all-time favorite Lumineers songs. I swear I heard somewhere that they shipped an old piano out, that I *think* Jeremiah grew up playing, to use in the recording of some of the songs. It gives an old, kinda wonky, almost familiar element to the music. I’m obsessed with those kinds of artistic details. Old pianos are a dime a dozen; you could probably find ten free ones right now on your local Craigslist if you’re able to haul them away yourself. I love that they took it a step further and, not only included such imperfect sounds, but pulled a piano with sentimental meaning. Now I can’t find the source of where I picked up this information to fact check it, but I know I didn’t make the whole thing up, ha. It reminds me of the old, out-of-tune piano that used to sit in the basement of my great-grandparents house, the keys all labeled with the wrong chords. It reminds me of the dark sense of home that I left in the rear view mirror.
I Think He Knows – Taylor Swift
This song was written from the perspective of what Taylor describes as a “confident” woman. About someone who knows her worth and won’t stand for anything less. It’s not a mentality I naturally relate to, but now I kinda use the song as a confidence booster. It’s my go-to bop when I’m driving somewhere with social interaction that makes me anxious. On the mornings I look in the mirror and hate what I see. On the nights I’m sitting in my house alone with ice cream and a book. Cause I’m cool like that. “He’s so obsessed with me and, boy, I understand. Boy, I. under. stand.”
Dropout – Lala Lala
I have the tiniest of girl crushes on Abby after watching the band perform live, but it’s not serious. It’s not serious. It’s not serious. etc, etc.
Call Me Lover – Sam Fender
Now, I don’t condone infidelity in any way, shape, or fashion, but I’m a sucker for a good cheatin’ song every now and again. There’s a small thrill in the high stakes, so long as it’s not real life. Ha.
Steal My History – Drew Holcomb
It took a little bit of time for me to feel okay listening to Drew again, but it’s good to be back. His voice has a certain warmth and wholesomeness that feels a little bit like home. Kinda wish I could sit on the front porch with a glass of tea, no shoes, no worries, and waste the day away.
Soundtrack Song – The Lumineers
Short and sweet. This was the song I had on repeat the day after the album officially came out. The best of the bonus songs, in my opinion, and one of the best on the album. But seriously, does anyone know if it’s actually from something? Every time I try to Google it, my results just present me with other songs they’ve written for movies and shows. The imagery is so specific, and, I mean, it’s literally called Soundtrack Song, but I wanna know if it’s an idea that didn’t officially carry through, or if it resides in something that I never knew I needed to watch.
Lovers Dream – Jeff Cormack
I really like this song, and I think it’s a perfect backing track for fun little homemade movies, so I used it in one of mine. The problem is that once I do that, I can never hear the song again without thinking of whatever collection of videos I paired it with. This project is particularly dumb, so it leaves me feeling low-key embarrassed about the whole thing, but I’m determined to still like the song. Determined to make it a reminder of how fearless I’ve become in my creativity instead of how dumb (in a lighthearted way) I can be in it, hahaha.
White Horses – Jenn Grant
I love when songs go through different musical parts, if that makes sense. How the sounds and tempos and keys and moods and vocal intensities change with the sections. This one is a decent example. I prefer the second half the song to the first, and my favorite part of all are the lines, “And I have taken stormy weather ah ah ah, but my heart’s been aching for sweet September.” It just does it for me.
In My Head – Joseph
The constantly overthinking, slightly insecure struggle is real, y’all.
21st Century Love – GRAACE
As we live in the day-to-day, we forget the drastic ways our lives have changed within the last few years thanks to cell phones. We take for granted all the giant, as well as subtle, ways our entire culture has changed, for better or worse. A large part of that is relational dynamics. This song targets romantic relationships specifically, and I think it’s interesting to think about. Love stories will never be the same. The internet greatly aids in meeting new people and sustaining long-distance relationships (I know a thing or two about both, ha). Connecting with people has never been more convenient. On the flip side, new petty games are introduced, “missed” calls, opportunities for jealousy and misunderstandings, hurt feelings, over-absorption in “fake” internet pursuits, and separation anxiety. Social media adds a whole other element of toxicity, in that now you don’t even have to physically go to your ex’s house or accidentally run into them or ask around your mutual friends in order to scope out what’s going on. It’s there for your viewing pleasure whenever and wherever. Vice versa, you know who’s gonna be sneaking around your own social sites, and you get the power to dictate how things are perceived. It’s all different. We’re in new waters and time will tell how such things affect us long-term. I have a hunch it’s not going to be great.
Rororo – Of Monsters and Men
To me, this song is about those phases of life where you exhaust yourself physically and emotionally to the point of hitting rock bottom. You start metaphorically hurting yourself and losing your spark, so you go back home and basically take a sabbatical to regather your thoughts. To take the time to heal and regrow your roots instead of a quick fix. Mostly, I think the song’s about longing to still flourish, even when the world is gray.
Nocturnal Creatures – Bastille
An anthem for being young and dumb. The last lines sum up the song: We received the freedom but we were completely unaware what to do with this freedom. It felt like the hungry people received the foods and we just ate everything. I take it as living in the moment, blissfully uncaring about whatever the consequences or repercussions may be. Living it up every night to get that rush, convinced the morning won’t come before we’re ready. On a broader level, I think it could be about being young in general. In our teens and twenties, it can feel like we’re gonna live forever. Old age will never touch us. We’re invincible and timeless until we’re not. We never were.
My Cell – The Lumineers
Another favorite from the album (I know, I know, I say that about every one of them, but I CAN’T HELP IT THEY’RE ALL SO FREAKIN’ GOOD). I get chills when I hear it. It’s so dark and creepy, in a way. I take the song as a reminder that even beautiful things can entrap us. That there’s a cost or trade for every aspect of life. When you’re single, you long to be in a good relationship and concoct this dreamy, unrealistic image in your mind. You make yourself believe this next one is going to go perfectly because you’re a better person now than you were the last time you were in a failed relationship. You build a castle around the idea and anxiously await your knight in shining armor to show up on a white horse. Then when you’re in a relationship, it’s not perfect. No relationship ever will be. There are things you have to give up, restrictions that cut into your freedom. Your windows are painted and the cell is nice, but it’s a cell nonetheless. Much less if the relationship is toxic or bad, which is more what the song is touching on. The flip side, being single and lonely is its own kind of cell though. As humans, we’re made for companionship. We were built to long for it. It all comes down to what cell you want to live in.
Daylight – Taylor Swift
One of the two she wrote alone this album. Taylor’s broken down, acoustic versions of songs are often my favorite, and Daylight is no exception. When it’s just her and a piano, magic happens. The studio version – this version on the playlist – isn’t one of my very favorites from Lover, but the live acoustic would have been near the top, had it gone on the record instead. Even still, the bridge has a tendency to make me cry: And I can still see it all in my mind; all of you, all of me, intertwined. I once believed love would be black and white, but it’s golden. And I can still see it all in my head; back and forth from New York, sneaking in your bed. I once believed love would be burning red, but it’s golden. It has a similar effect as Long Live.“Black and white” brings up imagery of the Reputation era, and of course “burning red” comes directly from Red. It’s a full circle moment, and it really makes you hope that this is finally real love for her, and it really makes you hope that there’s real love for you too, somewhere out there. The end, when she’s talking about how she wants to be remembered, is so good too. I’m running long on this description and need to wrap it up, so even though I could go on a long spiel about the importance of her words, I’m simply going to point out that if every human who ever heard this song used them as a motto for how to go about social media use, the world would be a much more beautiful place. Thank you and goodnight.
Your Love Is a Song – Switchfoot
Hello, middle school. There used to be some video on YouTube that I remember watching frequently, and whoever posted it had a little clip of this song at the end while they flashed their own username on the screen for credit or whatever. I’m 90% sure the video was for a Paramore song, but I can’t remember which one, or what was special about it that made me go to this random person’s page to watch/listen, but whatever. All of this is really pointless information, but it’s what I still think of every time I hear this song.
Re:Stacks – Bon Iver
One of the most lyrically genius songs, gracing the world in such a tender way. The words tell a tale of gambling. Getting drunk and betting it all in the heat of the game. Of losing everything and then some. It’s not too much of a stretch to see gambling as a metaphor for love. Of giving someone all you have emotionally because you’re drunk on romantic feelings, and then losing your mind and stability when the relationship inevitably folds. Maybe because you were being reckless, maybe because one or both of you were playing games, maybe because you got yourself in a bad situation from the start. Whatever the case, you’re alone now with nothing and nobody. I think this song really rides on that feeling you get right after catastrophe when the clouds of defeat coax you to believe, “This moment will always be a part of me. No great realization or life change will get me out of here. I’ll hold hands with this ghost forever.”
Green Eyes – Joseph
The last minute of this song is the best minute of this song. Listen to it, love it, thank me later.
Vulture, Vulture – Of Monsters and Men
“I feel like a desert island,” gives me goosebumps. This song feels like a theme for Enneagram Eights to me. The struggle of having a stronger personality, particularly if you’re a woman, and facing the loneliness and alienation that’s bound to accompany such a fate. This push-pull of “I want to be myself,” but also, “Should I water myself down so I’m easier to handle?” The natural instinct to be one way, but not a lot of great things happening to show for it. The beauty that has grown in your self-reliance, but the hole still gaping in the working-with-others department. Most of all, just this confusion over who you should be, how you should behave, and if you’re good enough. Uncertainty, uncertainty, uncertainty.
Better In The Morning – Birdtalker
The music/tempo of this song reminds me so much of Hozier’s Work Song, which is one of my personal favorites by him, so it didn’t take long to get me on board with this one.
Happiness is a butterfly – Lana Del Rey
I find it somewhat staggering how much Lana can change the style and general ambiance of the music she performs, yet still always retains that certain glamorous, old-Hollywood feel. I’m really liking this album, despite it being very different from Born to Die or Ultraviolence, my other two favorites from her. The shift is fascinating to me.
I’m Not the One – The Technicolors
I’m seeing these fine folks in fourteen evenings. This is the only song I know by them so far, but it’s a good song and I’m happy with it, so here’s to hoping the rest are equally as delightful. You’ll know based on whether or not I add more to the playlist. Keep an eye out. Or you could check them out on your own and send me recommendations in a beautiful role reversal. Ya see, it’s not that I don’t want to listen to more of their stuff, it’s just that I have this thing where I instinctually procrastinate dumb things just for the sake of procrastination, and this has fallen into that category somehow. Basically, the moral to the story is that I’m stupid but this song is not and probably the band is not either, although I wouldn’t really know, but will in another fourteen days. So, yeah.
Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinead O’Connor
I don’t remember a time when I didn’t know this song, but it never really grabbed at me until recently. I was sitting in a crowded coffee shop during open mic, and a man with the absolute saddest eyes I ever did see performed this one. Honestly, I just wish I could have his version on repeat, but am settling for this one instead. Although it’s not the original, I do find it superior to every other version I could find on Spotify, including Prince’s. Quite frankly, I think it’s a great, well-written song that hasn’t gotten the justice it deserves yet (please don’t kill me). Maybe if I ever see coffee shop guy again, I’ll ask if he’s ever considered posting some form of audio of him performing this song, and then I’ll ask who hurt him, because it must have been bad. Ha.
Never Alone – Winterpark
We all end up kissing the wrong person goodnight.
Higher – Rihanna
For when the whiskey got you feeling pretty, and you know you could be more creative and come up with poetic lines, but you have a little bit too much to say, yet can’t think straight enough to say it. Ha.
Maps – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Here’s a fun story about how deeply I live under a rock: I’ve been a fan of Keaton Henson for a while now, and he just so happens to have a version of this song on one of his records. But, for the longest time, I didn’t know it was a cover. For literal years, I thought it was a song he had written. Fast forward to a few months ago, I was in the Old Navy dressing room (all the good music comes from Old Navy), and this song came on, but The Fray was singing it. And y’all, I went through a heavy Fray phase in early high school and had somehow never heard them do this song. I was just standing there, halfway dressed, utterly puzzled, knowing there was no way in heck The Fray was covering a Keaton Henson song while I was trying on clothes in Old Navy, while also knowing this wasn’t a song originally by The Fray because I had never heard it. Some frantic Googling commenced, and that’s the moment -right there, in my bra and underwear – when I learned of the actual original version. Now I know about the popularity of it and have witnessed for myself the tearful music video. And even though I love Keaton and the Fray boys, the original beats all somehow. Isn’t it magic, how that works?
I’ll Be Here in the Morning – Townes Van Zandt
My favorite Townes song. The part, “Close your eyes, I’ll be here in the morning. Close your eyes, I’ll be here for a while,” makes me feel all the things. It’s comforting in this homey, nostalgic, simpler-time way, but it also makes my stomach hurt a little. It makes me remember being a little kid for some reason, even though the song has nothing to do with that. Isn’t it strange how music can move us in such a way?
White Ribbons – Terrible Sons
Moody and dark, yet also kinda quirky and fun. Fun? Fun, you say? Nay. Their Bandcamp site notes: “The song is a homage to a friend of ours who snuck through cordons and curfews in order to look for his sister who had not returned home after the February earthquakes in Christchurch in 2011.” What? Yikes. Talk about song meaning. Betcha didn’t see that one coming
Move Me – Sara Watkins
The bridge the bridge the bridge the bridge !!! You know I am a giant fan and champion of bridges, AND THIS ONE IS WORTH CHAMPIONING. Gosh, I love them. Bridges are the best. The second half of the lyrical part of this song is certainly the best, but I think the long instrumental part at the end is a little extra, but can we talk about the bridge again?
Cheers Darlin’ – Damien Rice
This is the most intoxicated song I know, yet I love every minute of it. The passion and cadence in his lyrical delivery is a work of art. Just listening to the sound effects and slurred words makes it feel as though you’re stumbling around a party with him. The amiable clinking of glasses comes off almost harsh and mocking. The melancholic string of thought feels out of place for the rest of the ambiance, much like depression. Coulda, woulda, shoulda. Shoot your shot, folks.
California – Lana Del Rey
Upon my first listen-through of the album, this was my favorite out of the songs that hadn’t previously been released in the month (and months and months, ha) leading up to the release date. It’s striking and melancholy without being too mood-killing. It’s perfect if you imagine the song to the imagery of 1920-30s: Great Gatsby, big money, red lips, black and white pictures and tiled floors, gold and ornate straight lines, old cars and planes, big parties and bigger feelings.
Get Hurt – The Gaslight Anthem
This entire album is really solid, honestly, and I’m pretty ready for them to come back and make some new music. It seems kinda crazy to me that artists who create such beautiful things and garner such success can then go off and take hiatuses that last years and years. I don’t know, I have mixed feelings on it. On one hand, absolutely take care of yourself. Nothing that makes you lose your peace of mind is worth pursuing. At the same time, what a gift to be given and not taking advantage of. What an incredible way to connect with people, relate to and move them. In this day and age, to leave the music scene for extended periods of time is risky. Attention spans are short. I don’t know that I could do it. It’s probably good that I’m not in that position, because I really think I would wear myself into the ground and destroy my mental sanity. Long story short, I hope they do eventually come back with new stuff, all the better for stepping away.
I’ll Wait (acoustic) – The Strumbellas
In my dream world, there would be an acoustic version of every song released available widely on every streaming platform. No matter how great the fully-produced versions are, there’s always something extra special with the stripped down songs.
Waiting Around to Die – Townes Van Zandt
True story: the other night, I woke up in a full-on panic that Townes Van Zandt is dead. Like, I have no idea why. It was the most random thing. I’m not an obsessive fan. The man has literally been dead for over twenty years. I hadn’t been listening to his music the day before. There wasn’t even a clear reason for what I was panicking about. I don’t know if I was just upset he wouldn’t get to write anymore music, or that I’d never see him live, or just general sadness that accompanies someone being dead. I really don’t know. Seriously panicking though. I already have enough midnight panic attacks over Alex Trebek’s looming death. I don’t need to add Townes Van Zandt to my list of pointless worries. Gosh. It was not my proudest moment.
Paper Rings – Taylor Swift
Reminds me of Bad Reputation by Joan Jett, which was the last song on Taylor’s pre-show playlist leading up to her performance on the Reputation Tour. In a weird way, the chorus also reminds me a lot of Stay Stay Stay, but I like this one a lot better. I think it’s just this idea of really simple, straightforward love. The feeling of ‘this makes sense and I want to keep holding on to it.’
Wayhome – Young in the City
This song reminds me a whole lot of Springsteen’s Thunder Road – or classic rock songs in general, at the very least- and I figure it must have been at least halfway intentional, seeing as what the lyrical content is, and I just think it’s pretty great.
Lion’s Den – Holly Ann
Why can’t Christian radio expand its horizons though? Why? There’s more to life than Hillsong and Bethel and the Passion gang and Mandisa and Lauren Daigle and whatever else they’re overplaying these days.
Evil’s Rising – Horse Thief
I don’t know. This song just feels cool. The mix of guitar and synth. Folky but not like, overdoing it. A good introductory song into the genre for those hardheaded people who aren’t exactly sold. Kinda like taking them to see the pretty landmarks of your hometown, but maybe leaving before making it to the family reunion. You feel? Also, can we just take a moment to admire the album art? It’s stuff like this that really makes me want to learn how to do graphic/digital design. I’d start working on it asap if there wasn’t such an expensive starting cost, but perhaps someday.
Sea Meets Earth – Fever Fever
Another cinematic song. I picture the Irish countryside when I hear it, for whatever reason. Lock it in your brain though. The day that I’m able to create my own full-length film, this will be on the track list of featured songs. Ya know, because I will definitively be creating my own legitimate movie any day now. Ha.
If I Say – Mumford & Sons
I sometimes overlook them as like, the Eminem of the indie folk genre. A stereotype as the one band everyone knows and loves, and by association, somehow qualifies people who only listen to top 40 radio as cool banjo-picking, foot-stomping hipsters while Mumford sells out stadiums. But like, truthfully, *they are so freaking good.* I can’t even be annoyed by any of it, and that’s kinda annoying, but thank God for Marcus Mumford.
Shelter – Dermot Kennedy
This song is significant to me on a personal level (as most of his stuff is, ha). It’s one of those that kinda escaped me a little when it initially came out. Not that I didn’t like it, but it just got overshadowed by the others on the ep. It wasn’t until I saw him live that I fell hard for this song. It made the biggest impact on me that night. Maybe it’s the raw intensity. The way the crowd pressed in, silent with ears wide-open. Love felt tangible. I can’t explain it, but it was like it was brought into the room for that four minutes and thirty seconds. Not overly dreamy Hollywood love, but love that moves you in some kind of way. Love that stirs your heart at least as much as the words of the song do. Love that made me long for it. I didn’t feel like I had that. I broke up with my boyfriend later that week, and while this song wasn’t the culprit, it certainly played a small roll and I’m kinda grateful for that. I’ll take nothing over something half-hearted. Also, one of my biggest writing envies ever is, “he tried to write down how he felt ’bout the girl, kept running out of paper, he’ll wait for her.”
My Heart Is Home – Upstate
This one’s just fun. Simple and straightforward with an ambiance crucial to today’s folk. Try crying to this song. It ain’t happening.
Death By A Thousand Cuts – Taylor Swift
My third favorite from the album. Gosh, I have so much to say about this song, but I think the most interesting is Taylor’s perspective on writing it. She says for years, people have asked her – the official Queen of Breakup Songs – what she would possibly write about if she ever became happy. She’d reference back to all the writing she used to do in middle school about love and heartbreak that she had never experienced, and basically publicly reassured people that she would just pull inspiration from situations outside of her personal life. A confident face would be worn for the interviews, but then she’d go home really insecure and ponder the thought that I think maybe most creatives ponder (myself definitely included): is it possible to live a happy life while also doing the thing we love most? Fast-forward to years later, Taylor claims she really is happy now and in the best relationship of her life, and her music supports that, but then there are songs like this randomly thrown in. It feels real. It feels like she knows all about what she’s singing because she lived it. But she didn’t. This song came about from friends who were experiencing breakups and the discussions they had, as well as movies and books, and also probably some old feelings of her own mixed in. The movie inspiration she gives most credit to? Someone Great. Director and writer Jennifer Kaytin Robinson claims the movie wouldn’t exist without 1989, which was there for her after a breakup “like a best friend with a bottle of tequila and a bear hug.” Taylor was able to accomplish what she always said she would in the most meta way, and with it came an intense peace of mind. Lyrically, it’s genius and while I’m not going to keep rattling on and on about my favorite parts, the song as a whole perfectly describes those hollow newly-broken-up thoughts. I lived it a year ago, but now I’m alright; it was just a thousand cuts.
You’re the Only One – Chris Renzema ft. Moriah Hazeltine
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Like Everybody Else (acoustic) – Lennon Stella
This song SPEAKS to my Four heart. Oy. Excuse me while I crawl under a table and cry.
The Conversation – Matt Kearney ft. Young Summer
I am the biggest fan of duets like this. Ones that tell the tale of hurting relationships and feelings. Toxicity. Darkness. It’s deliciously painful and adds an extra level of vulnerability as it puts you closer to, well, a real-life conversation.
Cornelia Street – Taylor Swift
My favorite from the album. It feels a lot like the Red era, which is why I think I like it so much. It fits in with the my favorite triad of All Too Well, Holy Ground, and State of Grace. Falltime in the city. I love how even the most specific of details can be universal. How she can write about little things that are significant in her relationship, and they somehow still connect to my own experiences and memories. I’ve never walked Cornelia Street, but there’s a street in my own life I’ll never ever walk again. I’m done blessing the rains from a certain apartment ( although much less impressive than Taylor’s rented Cornelia Street apartment, let me tell you), and listening to the creaks in its floors. The curtains have closed on the sacred moments in kitchens and borrowed jackets around my shoulders. I’m still mystified by how this city continues to scream a certain name though.
The Dazzler – Ex:Re
The title of the song, the name of the hotel, is so fitting. The ambiance and aesthetic is perfect. The concept and details. This whole album deals with Elena’s breakup as the main connecting theme, and it happened to come out at just the right time when I was going through a breakup of my very own. This one immediately stood out as a favorite for me. There are few things more lonely than a hotel room all to yourself. It can feel glamorous in a superficial way, but it’s mostly cold and quiet. Kind of strange and silly. A home away from home that feels nothing like home where we treat it nothing like home. There’s a metaphor here about temporary hotels and breakups and hookups and drunken nights and stable relationships and being spoiled and disregarding the consequence of things, but I’m too tired to find it.
Down in the Willow Garden – The Everly Brothers
This song is so dang creepy between the harmonies and story line. It haunts you. My mission is to find this on vinyl, but I haven’t stumbled upon it in a thrift store yet. Someday.
Firmament – Marty O’Reilly & the Old Soul Orchestra
Let me just share with you what their very own website says about this song, for it is surely more rich in descriptors than I would ever be: Firmament… eases in with delicately eerie ambience and sparse musical accompaniment, revealing all the soulful nuances and inflections in Marty’s voice. The song soars forward with an impactful arrangement as the full band joins in with rich and varied musicality, including a dazzling drum and percussive break and a violin solo as brilliantly fractured as a cubist painting.” There you have it, folks. The audio version of a cubist painting. If you’re as uncultured as me, you’re going to have to look that one up. Think mosaic, but with drawn lines instead of fragments of a different medium.
Surplus – Spectre Jones
I feel guilty longing for you when I’m the one who locked you out.
Wide-Eyed – Cold Weather Company
Underrated. The piano is stunning. Nay, the whole song is stunning. The lyrics tell a simple tale of promises of commitment, but it’s done so intensely and wholeheartedly. I’m always happy when this song comes on while I’m driving. There’s a certain cinematic effect. If I ever made a movie, I’d likely fight to have this song play its own role.
Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince – Taylor Swift
The title sounds like something you’d expect from Halsey or Lana Del Rey, but I’m not complaining. The song itself reminds me of Lana’s Lolita, probably due to the little chanting parts. It’s towards the front in my list of favorites from the album, but I do have some issues with it. For one, I’m kind of tired of the whole high school themes/imagery from Taylor. She’s nearly thirty years old, it’s time to move on. I also don’t love the political undertones she’s touting either – I’m here for her music, not her take on politics. As much as I’m lowkey annoyed, I still really, really like the song. The general sound grabbed me upon the first listen, and I thought for a little while it would be my top favorite. There are some really good lines, like “when you play stupid games, you win stupid prizes,” and “American stories burning before me, I’m feeling helpless, the damsels are depressed” and “we’re so sad we paint the town blue, voted most likely to run away with you,” and- okay, okay, you get it. At the end of the day, it’s a melodramatically sad song, and I am always here for those.
Crushing – Ex:Re
This one’s clever. See, you hear the word, “crushing,” and immediately conjure up an image in your mind of longing for a relationship that hasn’t happened yet. It’s mostly dreamy, kinda deflating, but overall has a hint of promise. This song is the opposite. It’s “crushing” as in, crushed that it’s over. It’s longing for a relationship that’s finished. It’s all sorts of deflating and really not dreamy at all. The sly backhanded, “I guess attention spans are lessening, it’s a lesson in humans using machines,” is brilliant. “It’s not like we were some dream combination,” is my favorite part. That self-reasoning, trying to logically convince your heart that it’s being stupid and overreacting. The song really hits the nail on the head with those post-breakup emotions. I remember them well, but don’t miss them at all, ha.
San Luis – Gregory Alan Isakov
Wes from The Lumineers once described this as a song that, “washes over my ears like a gentle fog,” and I couldn’t have said it better myself. This song holds a personal significance in a metaphorical, play-on-words sort of way in my own life, and I sort of feel honored to even be able to relate to it. It’s so poetic when my own life doesn’t feel much like poetry, but my, how that speaks to the power of writing. God bless writers, for they put life into us all.
BLOW – Ed Sheeran ft. Chris Stapleton & Bruno Mars
Ya know, I’m not really one to describe things as, “epic,” but let me tell you, this song is freakin’ epic. I mean, come on, Ed Sheeran and Chris Stapleton?! It’s a collaboration from my dreams that I never would have thought possible, yet here we are. Bruno is whatever. Sorry ’bout it. BUT ED AND CHRIS. wHaT.
Smoking Outside – Susto
Susto is either a hit or complete miss for me, but this is one of the few I really like. I am not, however, a fan of musical intros or outros or middletros (I know, I’m making up words here) that drag on and on because I’m very lyrics-driven, but that’s my one grievance here. Otherwise, it’s chill and easy to listen to.
Cruel Summer – Taylor Swift
This song reminds me of a Style 2.0. Kind of a reckless, short-termed relationship that’s more focused on the fun of today than the seriousness of tomorrow. That good girl with a bad boy theme. “So cut the headlights,” even feels like a slight nod, since Harry was evidently notorious for driving around after dark with no headlights, and the opening of Style is, “Midnight, you come and pick me up, no headlights.” It’s also worth noting that Kanye was on some compilation album several years ago titled Cruel Summer, and while I don’t know anything about it beyond that, I feel like that name is just too specific – and Taylor too intricate – for it all to be a coincidence. The best lines in the song are: “Devils roll the dice, angels roll their eyes.” “In these trying times, we’re not trying.” and best of all, “I don’t want to keep secrets just to keep you, and I snuck in through the garden gate every night that summer just to seal my fate. And I screamed for whatever it’s worth, ‘I love you, ain’t that the worst thing you ever heard?’ He looks up, grinning like a devil.”
Living on Your Love – Jessie Early
I really can’t decide if this song is supposed to be spiritual or not; it’s included in gospel-themed playlists and has some Christian imagery sprinkled in, like holy voices and heaven, but it also has lines like, “you’ve got me love-drunk, heart sunk, waltzing on the kitchen floor.” It all could go either way. I really have no idea. It’s good, regardless. I guess you get to just choose your own adventure here.
Off The Main Drag – Lief Vollebekk
“She’s as poor as me, but looks twice as good,” is a line I really wish I had written. I love these sorts of songs about ordinary life moments and details that are so specific to the situation, while also being the most universal somehow. I’m not certain how this song makes me feel, but it reminds me of getting ready for bed in that old apartment where the neighbors and trains were loud at night, but the sunlight was louder once morningtime hit. That apartment kept that sunlight, and I reckon it’s still there to this day.
Enjoy the Silence – Joy Williams
Not a song I would have imagined Joy performing, but it somehow works. But then again, girl could sing the Barney song and it would be worthy of putting on repeat.
El Condor Pasa (If I Could) – Simon & Garfunkel
Okay, can we just take a moment to appreciate how many great songs are on this album? It was one of the first pieces of vinyl I ever picked up at a thrift store for my collection, and I had no idea at the time how many gems were on it. As a millennial, I grew up with some older music from my parents, but most of it was country and all of it was popular singles they still play on oldie radio stations. Even still, I’ll often recognize a song, but not know what album it was from or even who sings it. I’m interested and still learning though, so don’t judge me too harshly, ha.
Two Birthdays and One Bad Christmas – Hayley Gene Penner
I’ve still never been kissed at midnight on New Years. I still want to punch you and curse your name. I still want to cry about it all when I hear this song. I still wish we had more than just two birthdays and one bad Christmas.
The Way It Is – Bruce Hornsby and the Range
One of the most nostalgic and weirdly sad songs I can think of. The piano riff is iconic. Takes me back to playing cards in HobbyTown. Sometimes it feels like all the good old days and ways are coming to an end, but that’s just the way it is.
Lover – Taylor Swift
My second favorite off the album, and for sure one of my all-time favorite Taylor songs, which surely means it’s one of my all-time favorite songs in general. This is the one that fully redeemed the previous three pre-album releases that I had bones to pick with, of varying degree. This is the one that I literally had on repeat for an hour as I got ready for work at like 4am the day the song came out. This is the one that I listened to the whole way to work and felt withdrawals from when I had to turn it off for the duration of my shift. This is the one that I listened to the whole way home and the rest of the day and all the days afterwards. It’s timeless and magical. The line, “At every table, I’ll save you a seat,” makes me cry because it’s such a simple statement that’s quite ordinary and not overly clever-sounding, but it’s actually such a homey sentiment when you think about it. That knowledge that you’re just with someone, and wherever you sit, they sit. Wherever they sit, you sit. That no matter who else could show up, no matter where the table is, it’s already a given that you want your person with you. You look out for them and they look out for you too. I don’t know. I don’t always come across as overly romantic, but I’m truly the biggest softy who gets deeply touched by the most simple of things. Just let me live my life, wonderstruck by it all.
Goodbye Carolina – The Marcus King Band
If today’s country radio sounded more like this instead of pop-singers-with-often-fake-southern-accents or drunk-while-tailgating-in-my-truck-with-hot-girls-down-on-the-farm nonsense, I’d really be into it.
lovely – Billie Eilish ft. Khalid
Depression sucks. That’s all there is to it. On the naming of the song, Billie said, “We called it (lovely) because the song was just really freaking depressing and so then it’s like oh, how lovely. Just taking everything horrible like, you know what, this is great. I’m so happy being miserable.” Ha. A similar sentiment was included in the naming of my Instagram account, so I feel a certain kinship with this song beyond the depressing lyrics. Unlike the song though, I turned my account name into something a little more uplifting and on-brand for me. Billie stays on-brand too, but in a different way, in case you didn’t notice.
Good Luck, Kid – Joseph
This song is walking on the side of the road, notebook in hand, hair smelling like smoke, a little too late to do what I wanted, but a little too early to do what I needed.
Tomorrow – Shakey Graves
One of my all-time favorites. The song tells the classic tale of being a bit of a wanderer and unable to fully commit in a relationship. I like that the song has this classic, almost nostalgic and homey sound when it’s about the opposite of security. I like that the closest thing he’s come to perfection is kissing this girl he likes, but also never being able to stay with her. As humans, we say things and do others. It’s complicated and not nearly as pretty as the song. There are so many good lyrics, particularly when you know he wrote them at seventeen. Like, what? My life is nothing.
Sound & Color – Alabama Shakes
My only complaint about this song is that they didn’t utilize the sound of that very first part when Brittany comes in singing, “A new world hangs,” more than that one time. The cadence of that phrase, mixed with the euphoric music accompanying it, is the best part of the whole thing and they could have easily made that a hook, but alas. Somewhat kicking myself for not bringing up this particular grievance over the week I was sitting across the table from Ben Tanner on a daily basis, but I missed that shot. He may not have had much to do with the writing, but maybe he could have related somehow. Or completely disagreed. Or something. I don’t know, and now I never will. Ha.
Glory – Dermot Kennedy
My intense writing envy here is, “I guess I’m tired of talk of hope; I’ve learned that doves and ravens fly the same.” It’s perfect and profound and fully embodies that feeling of your sense of wonder being a little tired. My favorite part of the song has always been, “I was only ever thinking ’bout you, you know?” Goosebumps every time.
Still – AVEC
Fun Fact: As of right now, anyway, if you google “still avec lyrics,” Google will present you with the words to Mt. Joy’s Silver Lining, but credited to AVEC/this song, and I have perhaps never been more perplexed.
Sister (Hushed) – Andrew Belle
Mid-concert, Andrew started taking questions from the audience and totally blew me away by how well-spoken, thoughtful, and deep he comes across, even in casual conversation. One of the questions was about where the album title Black Bear came from, and while I could never tell the story as well as he did, or even remember the specific details, he basically said he pulled the imagery from a Flannery O’Connor story, and that it’s a representation of Jesus. Not a glamorous, suave, overly charming, handsome white Jesus, but a rougher-looking man from the wilderness known for His grace and goodness. As I said, I can’t tell the story like he did, but it was really neat to hear. The whole thing made me respect him a ton more. When I grow up, I want to be as well-spoken as Andrew.
Snow – Angus & Julia Stone
Listen to this and have it not get stuck in your head. I dare you. As fun and catchy as it sounds, it’s actually kinda tragic in that it’s about two people who aren’t really the right match, but prefer to settle with one another than be alone. It almost sounds like it’s one of those never-ending carousel situations where they individually date other people, but anytime the two of them are single and lonesome and brokenhearted at the same time, they hook back up. I deeply begrudge that kind of thing – like, very, very, deeply with a heated passion – but always find myself drawn to songs about it. Perhaps in attempts to gain some understanding. Perhaps in attempts to numb myself out of the strong feelings of disdain I get over relationships that are none of my business. I don’t know, yet here we are. I must be one of the quirkiest people you know.
Poke – Daughter
A Frightened Rabbit song. I really like the original too, although quite different from this, but I adore Daughter too much to not go with their version. The first time I heard it, I was shocked by how closely the song seemed to be reading my heart. It felt like I was a little kid suddenly getting caught with a hand in the cookie jar in the middle of the night. The word choices and the way they paint the picture and convey emotion is more beautiful than I could ever dream of being able to write. I want to have a brain that communicates this articulately and cleverly and concretely. “I hate it when I feel like this, but I never hated you,” guts me.
Hold on to Your Love – Family and Friends
Gotta support my fellow Georgians. I feel like all of their songs are a million years long and I swear I mean that in the best way. There’s just a lot going on and each one is a legitimate saga of a journey. The buildups. It’s just a lot. Give them a listen and you’ll know exactly what I mean, ha.
Souvenir – Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridger, and Lucy Dacus
I’m still not over this album. This collab. Everything. These are some of the darkest, femme fatale, raw lyricists in the music industry, and having them all together is utterly delightful in the heaviest way. “When you cut a hole into my skull, do you hate what you see like I do?” I mean, come on. Rip open every insecurity I have and leave me wanting more, please. #four.
Shovels & Dirt – The Strumbellas
This song came fully alive for me when I saw it performed live earlier this year. It was either the last song on the setlist before encore, or part of the encore, I can’t remember which, but it was insane. The bridge part, “I put a banjo up into the sky; it keeps us moving, it keeps us moving,” had everyone passionately chanting along. That’s the thing about The Strumbellas – most of their songs are very anthem-based, kinda like the aforementioned lyric. They deal with stuff in a way that people relate to, and they put it to the beat of catchy hooks and tunes. That’s their strength, and they fully know it and utilize it. Simon had his guitar raised up in the air, pumping it along to the music as the crowd screamed the words with him. It felt like an uprising almost, but instead of guns, it was instruments. Instead of violence, it was a pretty melody and words of encouragement, or at the very least, words that brought us together in this common understanding that felt really moving and groundbreaking and almost holy, at the time. Is it a coincidence that they’re Canadian? Probably not 😉
The Story – Brandi Carlile
Y’all. The 2:52 mark. If I could sound half as decent while making whatever emotional singing sound that is, I would… well, probably not stop making that sound ever. Drive up to the Wendy’s drive through and be all, “Small chocolate frooosty,” in that agonized fashion. It would surely alarm most people and probably get real old, real fast, but it certainly would be fun to even have it as an option. As it is, my own voice would sound like a dying whale if I tried to mimic that part. Oh well. I guess I’ll just keep listening to this song and pretend. On a more serious note, I think this is one of the greatest songs of our time. Brandi didn’t write it, but she was certainly made to sing it.
The Enemy – Andrew Belle
I’ve been a casual fan of Andrew’s for a few years now, but finally got to see him live a few months ago. If you’re curious, I’ll ease your mind in assuring you he’s quite good live and sounds pretty much exactly the same, which was notably puzzling to me somehow at first. I mean, I didn’t expect him to sound different, per se, but I think because he sings over such sonic-based tracks, it somehow feels like his voice isn’t pulled raw from a microphone, if that makes sense. It’s not like I thought he needed autotune or whatever to get by vocally, I guess it was just fun to hear that same voice with only an acoustic guitar. I don’t know. I think I’m doing a terrible job at explaining what I’m trying to convey, but I hope you get my point.
Fighter – Joseph
I’m sure I’ve said it here before, but I’ll say it again: 2019 IS THE BEST YEAR FOR MUSIC. My gosh, there are SO MANY amazing albums that came flooding out this year, and now I’m afraid next year is going to suck a little because practically all of my favorite artists put stuff out this year and I’ll have nothing new to really look forward to, but alas. This is one of those favorites. I haven’t fully decided yet, but I think it may be their best album yet. Just sayin’.
Life To Fix – The Record Company
Modern, sonic, techie sounds are neat and all, but there’s something special to the more timeless tunes like this one. Was it recorded forty years ago, ten, five, one? Or is it for album that’s not even released yet? You really can’t tell. Guess and then look it up. That’s a good legacy to have, I think.
Crumbled – Little Quirks
Two sisters and a cousin. Gotta support a good ol’ family band
Caroline – Briston Maroney
The struggle is real, ya know?
Drunk – Greta Stanley
“I don’t know why everything gets so difficult sometimes. I don’t know why I ruin every good thing that I find, but I miss you lately.” WHY ARE TOXIC RELATIONSHIPS SO ADDICTIVE.
Black Jeans – Lucie Silvas
Currently wearing my black jeans and feeling real fine about it, yo.
Slow Dances – Winnetka Bowling League
This band was named after their legitimate, real-life bowling league, and if that doesn’t delight you on some level then you need to go outside and sit in the sunshine for a few minutes.
Still Sleeping – Jai Wolf
I find this song to be terribly sad, actually, and it makes me a tad bit uncomfortable, but I also can’t help but like it. A relationship hanging on by a thread, only woven together in the first place for all the wrong reasons. Prolonging the inevitable, slow dancing in a burning room while wearing someone else’s oversized clothes instead of your own gown.
The Yawning Grave – Lord Huron
I consider this song to be the evil cousin of Penny and Sparrow’s Visiting. Ben knows his lane and drives it better than maybe most artists. It’s difficult to listen to any Lord Huron song and not feel this longing to disappear on some godforsaken mountain in a National Park.
In Vain – Sigrid
The rawness of the gravel in her voice during the chorus is chill-inducing. Know your worth and run, queen.
The Seasons – Freedom Fry
A quirky little ditty about strangeness of changes.
HISTORY – X Ambassadors
I’m so used to hearing the slightly-whimsical songs by X Ambassadors, like Gorgeous or BOOM or HEY CHILD. In contrast, it makes the more solemn tracks feel stark and exaggerated on a deeper level. I think having to make the decision to let a human go that you still really care about is one of the hardest things in life. With death, there’s no decision to be made, there’s no social media to wistfully gaze at, there’s no sense of betrayal as they go on to live a good life without you. Not to say it isn’t extremely difficult in it’s own way, but the coping comes with the ending of the story. With a conscious uncoupling situation, there’s forever those “what ifs” and doubts and wishy-washy mindsets and hurt feelings and fierce emotional battles with yourself in the name of protection. Yet at the end of the day, where there’s much hardship in execution, comes great strength and power in perseverance, and there is much to be gained by closing the book with your own two hands and slipping it on the shelf next to the ancient Egyptians and Russian czars, gladiators and guillotines, right where it belongs.
Freakin’ Love – Flora Cash
This one is just so dang catchy. The first time I listened to it, it already felt as though I’d known it for years. There’s a built-in familiarity, which is an automatic win in music, as far as I’m concerned.
Leader of the Landslide – The Lumineers
Ugh, I don’t even know where to begin with this one. It’s one of the darkest nitty gritty songs out there. It’s about those situations when the child inevitably takes the parental role over an addictive parent. The pain in having to let them go and the anxiety that won’t go away every time the phone rings. The need for pushing the toxicity out of your life, but the unknown -with all its terrible possibilities – always trying to pull you back. The painful honesty of this record reminds me a lot of some of the older stuff from The Lumineers, like Slow it Down or Don’t Wanna Go. It’s perhaps my favorite side of them, so it’s a real treat getting to hear more lately.
Gumshoe – Penny and Sparrow
As someone who uses the term “ephemeral” in my day-to-day job, my ears immediately perk up with any conjugation of the word. Yet even without one of my favorite vocabulary fixtures, this song is excellent. The sweeping alterations between the verses about stuff like WebMD and Whodunnits to the chorus. “I can circumnavigate the way you change me.” Chills.
Gone (The Pocahontas Song) – Ziggy Alberts
A pretty song about a one night stand. The end.
Poetry By Dead Men – Sara Bareilles
I’m not always the biggest Sara fan, but let me tell you about my utter adoration for this song. Gosh, it’s so good. The visuals that it paints, with coffee and poetry and white t-shirts and cinnamon and green dresses and being in love with someone who will never love you back in the way you deserve. It’s rough and it makes you feel all the things in a beautiful way.
The Archer – Taylor Swift
Okay, so Me! and You Need To Calm Down kinda sucked if we’re being honest, but this one serves as sweet redemption. In the words of a good friend, “It’s much worse than her best songs, but much better than her last two.” The cadence and utter lack of rhythm in some of the verses really claws at my nerves, but it has some great, relatable lines. Overall, I say it’s pretty solid.
Memento Mori – Hollow Wood
Remember your mortality. Personally, I view this song behind the lens of faith. It’s an encouragement to keep my eyes on the big picture. The older I get, the more it can feel as though everyone around me – folks who were once strong believers and leaders in the Christian community – are falling away from God. They chase worldly things that shine now, but will be nothing more than dust after death. As unglamorous as it is, these beggars’ rags should be worn with pride; core values and kindness reign over superficiality any day.
Saint Valentine – Gregory Alan Isakov
Gosh, just listen to the words. Straight-up poetry. To be able to write so beautifully. Ugh. To be in love with a romantic wanderer is the the worst of all.
It Wasn’t Easy To Be Happy For You – The Lumineers
There are lots of different types of breakup songs, yet most of them somehow take the emotional approach that we *want* to have. The bigger, “It’s for the best and we’ll get through it and be better for it,” side, or the “I’m going to just be depressed and drown my sorrows in alcohol while I yearn for their touch.” But in actuality, life is more often the subtle feeling of wanting your exes to be happy, but only so long as their level of happiness is below yours. It’s wanting them to hurt at least as badly as you are. It’s being afraid to look at their pictures on social media in fear of seeing a smile. It’s human nature in an honest way.
What a Woman Wants to Hear – Anderson East
This one just kinda makes me swoon. It’s ditching the bar to have a picnic in the woods at golden hour in the summertime, a quilt on the ground, a dress halfway covering your thighs, and fireflies hovering in the shade of trees. It’s finding where you belong after being misplaced for so long.
American Money – BORNS
My favorite BORNS song. Effortlessly glamorous and superficial while also feeling overly romantic in this 1920s golden era kind of way. It belongs in the same world as the Great Gatsby and Lana Del Rey and the Wildest Dreams music video and velvet and European architecture and old money.
Rousseau – Nerina Pallot
A clever song surrounding French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. I don’t agree with Rousseau’s philosophy on a personal level, but it’s not too difficult to apply the lyrics to a broader idea. Despite whatever religious or spiritual beliefs one might hold, I think there’s always this underlying question that haunts us as to how much of our lives we are born with from circumstance and genetics, how much we create for ourselves via decisions and surroundings, and how much we’re given supernaturally.
Rollin’, Rollin’, Rollin’ – Richard Edwards
I get chills when I listen. So great. Also kinda obsessed with the album art. The colors are perfect.
Real Peach – Henry Jamison
This Georgia girl’s gotta support this song. Also, I was reading an article on Henry, in which it stated his “direct bloodline is 14th century poet John Gower and George Frederick Root, the most popular songwriter of the Civil War era” and my level of delight over this song + man skyrocketed. I want that bloodline. Like, dang. I don’t know those people at all, but they sound legit.
Red Eyes – The War On Drugs
This song reminds me my childhood, and I have no idea why. When I hear it, my mind fills with random old memories that I thought I had forgotten. It’s kinda sad because everything’s different now and I’ll never ever have that life back, but it’s kinda neat too, that a song newer than any of the things it makes me think about can hold that sort of power. Okay, but before we move on, can we discuss how strange and incredible our brains actually are? Imagine aaallll the thoughts and memories and feelings and knowledge that’s stored up there in these insane, biological filing cabinets all at once. Imagine that if you sat somewhere for the entire rest of your life and just tried to think of all the thoughts and information in your head, you couldn’t do it. Imagine all the things our brains are holding for us that we’ll never even access again. Imagine all the empty storage space left in our brains that’s so vastly impossible to use up. I understand not being able to see God above all the tragedies of the world, but I can’t understand not seeing God behind all the magic of the world, like our brains and their functionings. Don’t tell me this absolute phenomenon just happened by mistake.
Steamboat – Adrianne Lenker
I so terribly wish I had written this one, as underrated as it is. I’m obsessed with the lines, “One day I’m gonna be a steamboat baby, one day I can be a freight train lady. I’ll roll down the river and the miles won’t phase me.” It reminds me of a town back in the 1800s crowding the banks of the Mississippi River. A time when women couldn’t be whatever they wanted without a whole lot of nerve, elbow grease, and fire. The dreams of becoming a fancy freight train lady were real. Definitely not what the song is actually about, but the association pleases me immensely.
Run to You – Ocie Elliott
I don’t know anything about the artist or what the intent for the song was, but personally, I think of this one as a frustrated prayer. A steadfastness in faith, but with tired eyes from watching humans corrupt and destroy the world while knowing the harm that’s being caused but not caring enough to do anything about it until it’s too late.
Road To Nowhere – Release The Sunbird
So, this is a cover of the Talking Heads song. I typically like originals better, because there’s just a certain extra magic that comes with hearing the song how it was originally intended. Others can come in and add beautiful voices and genius elements, but at the end of the day, it’s like when you borrow a friend’s shoe; the shoe is in your size and fits well, but the way it’s previously been broken in, the tread beaten down to show the exact way your friend walks, the sole imprinted around the foot it’s accustomed to – it’ll never fit you as well as your friend. That being said, I can’t get into the Talking Heads. They have a lot of good songs, this one included, but I just don’t care for their general sound. So enjoy this somewhat rare occasion in which I am advocating for a cover over the original. Wear those lopsided shoes proudly, y’all.
Beautiful People – Ed Sheeran ft. Khalid
When I think of Summer 2019 in years to come, I’m pretty sure this song will be one of the things that pops in my mind. Favorite from the album
Mornings – Stelth Ulvang
Stelth was going through and liking some of my pictures on Instagram one time, and I’ve seen the man perform live and he is quite a performer, so that in and of itself was exciting. But now he’s also an official member of the Lumineers, which just so happens to be one of my very favorite bands in the history of ever, so that’s my short-story-made-long about how the Lumineers know (or, for at least a few seconds, knew) I existed. That’s all I got.
Runnin’ – Crystal Fighters
It’s catchy and a little different and I don’t quite know what to do with it, but I like it, I think.
hostage – Billie Eilish
Sometimes it honestly still shocks me that such angelic beauty comes from the mouth and brain of the strangeness that is Billie, but I’m pretty glad I’m around the witness it. I’m obsessed with the line, “Gold’s fake and real love hurts, but nothing hurts when I’m alone. When you’re with me and we’re alone.”
Stockholm – Penny and Sparrow
I stare and stare at the lyrics, but this one’s kinda beyond me. I guess from my own experiences, I take it as going out and getting drunk (or metaphorically running from hurt feelings) after a breakup – or some other significant change or loss in life- and the general moral of the story being in the line, “You are not less in love for losing.” The things you think to be true don’t always pan out that way, and the reflection we see in the mirror won’t always be the same. Just because we were wrong, or felt some kind of incorrect way about something, doesn’t mean it ends the moment we face the truth. Just because you all of a sudden separate yourself from a someone or something doesn’t mean in your new enlightened state, angels and rainbows will serenade you for the rest of your days. Just because you say a final goodbye to someone in the evening doesn’t mean you love them any less than you ever did the next morning.
I don’t know. It’s seriously a stretch. If you think you have an inkling on what this song is about, I’d love to hear it. Seriously.
Resolution – Matt Corby
Can you feel it? Feel it in your soul? This man’s voice is delightful. “So don’t you worry.” I SWOON and probably DIE. He’s just showing off there towards the end, but I AIN’T MAD.
Robbers – The 1975
I mean, leave it to the 1975 to make balaclavas romantic. Bless them.
Emily – Josiah and the Bonnevilles
Classic “lover, come back,” song. It sounds like rural Tennessee, a man in a rocking chair on a wraparound front porch, seasons changing and changing, and yet that pair of eyes stays glued to the road. It’s sad, but almost more so that the girl, Emily, is out running from her own demons and missing out on a good life than the ever-patient man stuck waiting for her.
Looking Too Closely – Fink
This is a unique one. Deep and dark. It’s about not getting too caught up in your own ugly details. The past mistakes you’ve made. The less-than-ideal aspects of your own personality. We can make ourselves crazy, nitpicking all the things we’ve messed up. Sometimes you just have to let it go and move on, instead focusing on how to do better. Just as we give grace to others, we give grace to ourselves.
Slow Dancing in a Burning Room – John Mayer
This song is basically everyone’s favorite and super iconic and well-known, but it is for excellent reason. One of the best guitar riffs of all time. Brilliant imagery. Great writing. I’ll never tire of it. If you’ve been living under a rock and somehow don’t know this song like the back of your hand, I am giving you a homework assignment and it’s very important that you complete it.
Somewhere Only We Know – Keane
The “you and me against the world” mentality makes me swoon a little bit, and this is kinda one of those songs to me. Let’s run away to a secret place only we know and figure things out like only we can.
5AM – Ex:Re
Ugh, it hurts. This song just sounds cold and lonely. It puts you right there, peaking through the curtains out onto the dark city streets where something terrible is happening. As inspiring and magical as love is, I’m a big fan when artists write songs that have nothing to do with romance or even personal relationships of any kind. It’s uncommon and takes a higher level of creativity to achieve well. Especially songs like this; there’s a big risk for them sounding over-the-top (ie. the shelter commercials with the crooning, “In the aaaarmms of an aangel.”) or like a human justice anthem written for a charitable organization, complete with choirs and hand-holding at the end. This song just puts you in a tough situation and leaves you there. Like real life often goes, nothing is resolved and you’re just left with a pile of questions and heavy heart.
Beautiful Couch – The Moth and the Flame
When I saw them perform live, the band introduced this song as basically the thoughts that go through your head when you’re laying on your couch all alone on a Saturday night, stalking your ex on Instagram and seeing how great of a life they have. How you’re kinda jealous and hurt, resentful and hurt, sad and hurt. I love that it’s such a current song in our internet-centered lives while not being so overt that it’ll age out. While I am a very strong advocate for never ever peaking at your exes on social media because nothing good will come from it, I do appreciate and identify with the concept of the song.
Dead Flowers – The Rolling Stones
Favorite Stones song. Send me whatever rotting things you want while I live my best life; I’ll send you pretty bits of life while you dig your own grave. The cruel people of the world think they’ve got the upper hand, but the best revenge is living a good life.
Runaway Train – Soul Asylum
I always hear this song come on the radio and think, “Ya know, I really like this one; why do I always let myself forget it exists?” Finally, while gazing out at frozen Lake Yellowstone, it came on and I took the initiative to add it to my playlists on Spotify and now I listen to it all the time while thinking back to that glorious, cold day in May.
In a Week – Hozier ft. Karen Cowley
This is the song I so wish I could write, but even I’m too insecure to be this blunt about dying and decaying in a public poetic form. I think it’s great. Like, it couldn’t be more up my alley. I’m certain there are countless naysayers though, with their disturbed and confused noses pointing skyward. Bless the people who couldn’t care less and create weird things anyway
Further Away – Ben Howard
This song is pretty self-explanatory. We all have those people in our lives – or maybe we ourselves are those people – who push others away in pursuit of something else. It sounds like the song references a more ambitious lifestyle as the reasoning here, staying too busy and focused on chasing a goal to keep up with the people who matter most until it’s too late, but I think it applies to any number of situations. Personally, as a more introverted individual who deals with some level of depression, I hear it as pushing people away when really all you want to do is push your own self away. Falling into darkness. Drifting further and further out of touch in realizing that people actually care.
Steamroller – Phoebe Bridgers
You know what I think is one of the most depressing parts of life? You find someone you like enough to date, eventually attach your heart to, deeply care about and respect, become the most vulnerable with, and intertwine your life around, right? But after some time, you decide that maybe you don’t see yourself being able to devote spending the entire rest of your life with that particular person, sharing half your stuff, caring for and supporting in sickness and health, and going through all sorts of other pressures that accompany marriage and family forever and ever and ever. No matter how much you care about that person, how good of a friend they ever were to you, you pretty much have to excommunicate them from your life altogether and try to pretend they don’t exist anymore (unless you’re one of the extra mature, possibly part-psychopath, emotionally distancing people who can remain friends in a fully healthy way afterwards, but idk about that). This idea that prospective mates have to be everything or nothing. I’m not advocating a change in the way things I are, I do this myself, but it’s just a really upsetting thing. I like that this song touches on that a little. A friendship so good, it’s not worth gambling with. A friendship that could become everything, but one that could also become nothing. One bird in the hand or two in the bush.
Wherever This Goes – The Fray
Hi, excuse me, Isaac, Joe, Ben, and Dave. Uh, I’m just kinda wanting to know WHERE THE HECK ARE YOU FELLAS?! I’m pretty sure I need new music. Five years since a proper album is too long. We’re verging on being able to use the term “reunion tour” should the band ever hit the road again. Just sayin’.
Bullets – Wild Child
When they perform this song live, the members of Wild Child do this “badududa badududa” part between the lines of the chorus where the trumpet is in the studio version, and I’m disappointed every single time I hear this song now without that part. It was highly superior, in my opinion, and I vote a rerecord.
Sailing – The Strumbellas
ANOTHER SAILING SONG!!!!!!!! When I saw the Strumbellas live, I was right up at the stage and could clearly see the setlist taped to the floor and Sailing was not on it. The band had a plan, as do most bands when they get up on stage. Between two songs, however, someone from the crowd yelled, “Sailing!” and ya know what? Unlike most bands, Simon stopped his fellow bandmates as they were going into a different song and told the audience something like, “Someone just requested Sailing and we weren’t planning to do that one, but we’re gonna play it for you anyway if that’s alright? We haven’t done this song in years, so excuse us if we’re a little rusty,” and they performed it beautifully and Simon broke up sections of the audience into different assigned singing parts and it felt special. They didn’t have to divert from their plan for that person in the audience who wanted to hear this song, but they did and it was just really cool to see. I’ve been to a lot of concerts in my day, and I’ve never ever seen an artist or band stray from the setlist after they’ve walked on stage. Really cool group of people.
Donna – The Lumineers
I keep hoping that if I listen to this song enough times in conjunction with the music video, the full meaning of the lyrics and family dynamic will finally sink in, but I’m still not quite there yet. I think the confusing part comes with the idea that the song isn’t about Donna, but Donna’s daughter, and there are just a lot of names being thrown around and messed up situations but I’m sure if I watch it all again I’ll finally grasp everything.
Devil In Your Eye – Mumford & Sons
I love me some dark Mumford. Someone once told me, “If you hate me, maybe it’ll be easier for you to forget me.” I could never summon those sorts of feelings in that relationship, but now months and months later, I often wonder if I’m the one who’s taken on the villainous role. On one hand, very idea hurts. On the other hand, I don’t suppose it matters anymore. Whatever all helps us sleep at night.
Queen of Coasts – Edwin Raphael
Haunting, no?
Quite Like You – Taylor John Williams
A song that speaks to my Four heart. I want this.
Priest – William Crighton
I can’t say much, but I am legitimately writing an entire novel based on the image I get in my head every time I listen to this song. It’s perfect and bleeds inspiration and I hope I can do it justice. This song has my full approval and endorsement and if you’re reading this, ask me how my novel is going because I probably need a good hard kick to get busy with it again.
Losing My Mind – Betcha
Gotta support my pals here. Go check out Betcha. Excellent band, great guys. You shan’t be disappointed.
Cross Me – Ed Sheeran ft. Chance the Rapper
One of the sexiest songs without being too overt and/or featuring a sax. Also makes me think of my bestie, who is more obsessed with this song than I am. Don’t doubt that I’ll absolutely kick anyone’s booty who crosses her. Get at me.
Past Lives – BORNS
I think Garrett is a gross man, and I don’t understand him as person whatsoever, but his music is so unique and good. I have no idea why this stuff isn’t playing on Top Forty/pop radio. It boggles my mind, honestly. He’s underrated in a major way.
Plastic Soul – Mondo Cozmo
The moral to this story: illegally steal things in the name of art, share this art with a bunch of people until the right people come across it, get famous, and then make your art legal. Once that is complete, you’ll live happily ever after. Or, at the very least, earn a spot on this playlist. That counts for something, right?
Paint – The Paper Kites
This song nails my life this past year.
Put Me in the Ground – Daniel Nunnelee ft. Austin Sawyer
If you know the feeling, you know the feeling. Sometimes, you gotta send them packing, and it hurts, but it someday tastes like freedom. What a good taste, indeed.
Poison – Vaults
This song sounds like it’s from a movie. Tell me it’s in a movie out there somewhere. I think of something like Divergent. I don’t know why.
Delta – Mumford & Sons
Best song off the album. Gosh, it is SO good. Like, I’m getting giddy about it as I sit here typing this. “Does my love prefer the others? Or does my love just make me feel good?” is perfect. This is one of those songs that almost has a holy feel – holier than most songs that play on Christian radio. I know Marcus had a very religious upbringing, which accounts for the Biblical imagery and ethics repeatedly show up in his lyrics. In more recent days, (as in, the past decade, haha) he’s claimed to not want to call himself a Christian because of the “baggage” with the term, but also stating he “loves Jesus and always will.” I like to think he’s a truly good, human man trying to wrestle through the ups and downs of this whole faith thing with the rest of us with the extra challenge of living a public life, and I like to think his music reflects that and serves as an encourager in ways he may not have even intended. There’s often bigger pictures than the small settings of his songs. It’s the kind of art I long to produce. It’s the kind of art that I respect the most.
Don’t Wanna Be Without Ya – Penny and Sparrow
I think Finch is maybe the strangest album they’ve put out, but I’m not mad about it. The line about being reincarnated as a hairpin is so freakin’ bizarre, but it also makes me swoon a little. I hope my hairpins are as happy about living in my hair as Andy claims he would be in, presumably, Sarah’s. Just sayin’.
Outnumbered – Dermot Kennedy
I’ll be honest and say it’s not my favorite Dermot song, but it’s a new one and I’ll strongly support whatever he puts out, so here it is in the playlist. It has a lot of strong lyrics, my favorite being, “See, I’m in love with how your soul’s a mix of chaos and art and how you never try to keep them apart.” I don’t dislike the song at all, it can just feel a little over the top or something. Not as bad as One D’s What Makes You Beautiful, but along a similar, more toned-down vein. I get a similar feeling about Lost too. I love the verses, but the chorus about “You shining,” is verging on cheesy to me. I’m only being this harsh because my love for Dermot is ginormous and I see endless potential of the dreamiest quality and he’s still my favorite forever and always. I think I’m just ready for something a tad bit rougher.
I Know What You Did Last Summer -Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello
I tip my hat to whoever spearheaded the sound/cadence/rhythm of this song, because it is one of the catchiest duets I can think of. I can’t even pick a favorite part because I love the way every line was constructed. The subject matter, on the other hand, makes my stomach hurt a little when I put too much thought into it, but that’s okay. I’m still a fan.
Petra Rae – Wilderado
I’m so obsessed with this song. I picture this glamorous Gatsby-style party scene in a small-town renovated plantation home. The sound of champagne glasses clinking accompanies the near-deafening crickets and cicadas and frogs out in the yard. It’s glamorous in a certain way, but also a little folkish.
Put On, Cologne – Donovan Woods
“You’re gonna get some some stupid European boyfriend.” Quote of the year. Enough said.
Padova – Quilt
I love when songs have a major sound shift in different parts, and this is one of them. It’s all trippy and pretty great. The artwork is super quirky and fun too. I’m a fan. Would recommend.
Paper Knees – The Careful Ones
This song gets stuck in my head and spins around for hours. Particularly the badudumdadums. I ain’t mad about it, though.
Fever To The Form – Nick Mulvey
This song makes me feel some kind of way, but I can’t put my finger on it. It’s a form of melancholy. It’s like it summons highlight reels of imagery from happy times that I’ll never get back. None of them have anything to do with this song or memories I’ve made with it. It’s similar to nostalgia, but different somehow. Colder.
Sailor’s Blues – The Strumbellas
IT’S A SAILING SONG AND YOU KNOOOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT SAILING SONGS. One time, Simon sang this all up in my face and I probably nearly died, idk.
Springsteen – Eric Church
I still always get excited when this song comes on. It’s such a summertime anthem. One of the best modern country songs, in my opinion. Even the music itself has this nostalgic feel. I have writing envy for, “Funny how a melody sounds like a memory.” It’s true and obvious, but I never articulated it exactly like that until he sang it. Oh, and also #jeeplife
Life in the City – The Lumineers
This one is so grandiose and whimsical in a smooth, laid-back way. The more mature cousin of Flapper Girl or Big Parade. It’s fun having the mention of Cleopatra, and pretty neat that they incorporated the original version of the lyrics from Sleep On The Floor. Can I fit any more song titles in this little description? Oops. Haha.
Don’t Take The Money (MTV Unplugged) – Bleachers ft. Lorde
Give me anything that involves Jack Antonoff and Ella. The song isn’t originally a duet, but I really love the way they arranged it here. How they each get a verse and prechorus, but in different sections of the song instead of all at once, if that makes sense. I also like that Lorde was given a sizable chunk of the song; it’s a particular annoyance of mine when someone is invited to sing on a track but then only allotted a small part. Sometimes it’s gotta be that way, but in my mind, if you’re gonna collab, do it right.
Heart – Rainbow Kitten Surprise
Even the very first notes carry the weight of sadness, and I’m mystified over it because the prominent guitar strumming isn’t a melancholy rhythm and the lyrics aren’t overtly sad unless you’re paying attention. The whole thing is actually whimsical in their typical fashion, from the beat to Sam’s unique cadence. Yet it still cries. I’m not a musician for a reason. I don’t know how to do what they did here. What they do every time with every song. I do write, however, and I am envious that I didn’t think of the lyric, “he’s got a bird in the hands, with a lover in his heart,” first.
We Could Leave – Mansionair
I really love the whole vibe of this one. It reminds me of hot summer nights under streetlights and palm trees and water in the pool.
All I Need – Joy Williams
THISSONGTHISSONGTHISSONG. It is SO perfect. For better or worse, different music feeds different parts of our beings; this one absolutely pours nutrients into my soul. My favorite on the album, forever and always – and it’s an incredible album. I’ll even declare it as one of my all-time very favorites. I swear it is holy. Write every word on my heart, Lord. I feel it all.
In This Life – The Strumbellas
“I know there’s something for you out there in this life,” gives me shivers every time. It’s the message my troubled heart longs to hear. So much of my life feels like it’s being lived in the shadows of everyone else’s somethings. I long for the day when I feel like I’ve truly landed on the shores of my territory. Where I find my own something. We all just want to belong, right? I don’t often feel like I belong, but maybe someday I will.
Would That I – Hozier
This song bleeds those feelings of finding a new lover. It’s all hope and passion and fluttery stomachs. You feel them burning the past away from you, and you just hope in the future that they won’t burn you down too, but at least you have now, and now is pretty dang bright.
Feel Good – Matt Maeson
As a believer, this song reminds me of the prodigal son. This idea of running off and scornfully abandoning the important things of life in pursuit of emotion. It sounds adventurous and admirable in today’s culture, but what you don’t see on Instagram is that it wears you down, little by little, as your life is built on sandy shores knocking in the wind. I always imagine God speaking during the part of: “I think it’s time that you crawl back home, son. Fire’s still scorching, you’ve been scorned and you look abused. Did you get out all of that angry passion? Is it still forming? Has it started to torture you? Traveling so far to get there all just to be here again. All just to see what they saw back then. Well you could put it all on me.” Put it on Him, pack your bags, and go home.
Feel for You – Boy Named Banjo
The lyrics aren’t overly profound or clever, but they don’t have to be when you hit the nail on the head as far as structure and sound go. My very favorite part is the way the music transitions from the chorus to the verse and then, “No words are right, I can’t describe the sun tracing your outline.”
Hollow – Belle Mt
I talk a lot about hope and finding beauty in sadness and bigger-picture messages of enjoy-the-journey-type-mantras, but truthfully, the world is full of tragedy. Sometimes that tragedy feels like suffocating thoughts and screams ripping apart your insides, and other times it feels like nothing at all. Like you can’t make yourself feel like you care about anything. Like you can’t see a single prospective good thing on the horizon and don’t even feel particularly phased by it. Like life isn’t worth living anymore when you can’t feel anything close to okay. Like you’re… well… hollow. When depression hits, that’s my default emotion. The ghosts of me identify with this song, but it’s nice to have an outside perspective of it all. That just because we feel (or don’t feel) a certain way about ourselves doesn’t make it true at all.
Love It If We Made It – The 1975
Matty described in an interview that this song is meant to be, “the gem of hope amongst all of the rubble.” He went on to say that he wasn’t writing it to be a protest song, but an introspective piece without it being a full-on “diary.” I recently heard the lyrics described as, “eye-popping,” and can now think of no better way to put it. It’s over the top and dramatic and uncalled for, which in turn becomes its own example of the kind of world we live in today. It’s all so sensational. The song itself could almost be an example in the song. If anyone else had released it, I’m sure I would be fully turned off, but The 1975 know something we don’t and can somehow spin the most… uniquely enjoyable songs out of straw. If nothing else, you can’t not shout the words when it comes on. I may judge you a little for knowing them, but I’ll maybe judge you more for not.
glisten (interlude) – Jeremy Zucker
As much as I hate the feeling of a song ending too soon, it’s far superior to the feeling that a song is dragging on too long. This little interlude ends before I’m ready for it to be over, but I can’t even be mad about it.
Wasteland, Baby! – Hozier
To me, this song embodies the brevity of human relations. That fear that casts a shadow over every good thing in life. The appreciation for how rare and holy a true, reciprocal, ever-lasting love is. An acknowledgement that scarcity makes something all the more beautiful. An acknowledgement, too, that with the ending of any beautiful thing comes the opportunity for a new beautiful thing. That life isn’t about holding the shriveled and wrinkled hand of your lover while you sit rocking on the front porch. No. It’s about all the nervous butterflies and secret jokes and twenty-hour phone calls and ruthless fights and lonely midnight shivers and mascara-streaked cheeks and tentative smiles and slowly-opening hearts and watching time touch skin more thoroughly than anything else. That’s it.
A Phone Call In Amsterdam – Valley
I’m learning that if a song has Amsterdam in the title, there’s a very high likelihood that I’ll be into it. There are so many good ones about that place though. While I have mixed feelings about the city, it clearly serves as a good muse. Maybe I should add it to my bucket list purely for that purpose. I want that magic.
Little Trouble – Better Oblivion Community Center
They performed this song live at the show I went to, but it hadn’t been released yet at that point. It was immediately one of my favorites of the night, and I remember feeling cheated that I missed out on knowing the song in the moment, if that makes sense. To have a random new song after their album had just dropped was an odd move, but it made my day when I saw they put this one song on Spotify just the same. Now I’m left wondering if there will ever be a second album or not.
Alligator – Of Monsters and Men
“Who sings this?” my mother asked me one sunny afternoon in the car.
“Why?” I asked, taken aback by her unusual curiosity.
“I just want to know who sings this kind of music.”
Thinking maybe she was feeling it, I told her who it was, to which she quickly replied something to the effect of, “Well then, I know I don’t like them at all. This is a weirdo song.”
I didn’t think it was weird, but okay.
I do, however, think it is unfortunate that almost every indie folk band eventually morphs into this sort of sound. The song’s fine, but it’s pop, unlike the good ol’ days.
Eloise – Penny and Sparrow
No idea what I was expecting this upcoming album to sound like, but it wasn’t this and BOY AM I HAPPY WITH IT. Really hoping this is a good representation of what the rest of the tracks will be like. I am such a sucker for that old-fashioned cowboy vibe. This is one of my all-time favorite P&S songs, and I don’t say that lightly. Good work, boys.
Fallingwater – Maggie Rogers
This entire song is gorgeous, but the end when she starts singing over and around herself is the best part, and then the music fades away and it’s a cappella and I have chills.
ME! – Taylor Swift ft. Brendon Urie
Taaayyyy is baaaaack! Okay, so this song is a bitter disappointment and I’m really not into it, but I’m excited to have new Taylor Swift music and maybe if I listen to it enough it will grow on me? Uh, I don’t know. It sounds like it belongs in a Barbie or My Little Pony movie or something. It’s excruciatingly juvenile. I appreciate the concept of wanting to make a song that will get stuck in your head while spreading a positive message, but it missed the mark for me. We can only go up from here though, right? Here’s to hoping the rest of the album is lots better.
Coincidental – Betcha
As a writer, I am obsessed with this song. Clever and fully underrated. As a bonus, the boys in the band are absolutely delightful to chat with and I hope they get all the success.
Sparks Fly – Taylor Swift
Lead me up the staircase, won’t you whisper soft and slow? I’d love to hate it, but you make it like a firework show.
The Blackest Day – Lana Del Rey
This song is me on the days that end in Y. Ha.
Annie – Young in the City
I WAS RIGHT-NOW-YEARS-OLD WHEN I FIGURED OUT YOUNG IN THE CITY IS ANOTHER ONE OF NOAH GUNDERSEN’S PROJECTS HOW DID I NOT KNOW THIS WUUUUT IS LYYYYYFE?! Is it okay to admit I like this better than his solo endeavors?
Peaches – In The Valley Below
I find this song to be quite cringey actually, but I like the general sound of it. Simple as that. Sometimes you just cringe and dance anyway. Deep, I know.
Gorgeous – X Ambassadors
Reminds me of the quote that goes something like, “People don’t remember the things you say, but the way you make them feel.” This is just a lighthearted song that has a catchy beat and is fun to dance around the house to, but it’s also a dumb reminder that at the end of the day, we all want to be made to feel like we’re works of art. We all want to feel gorgeous.
The Oak Tree – Emily Hearn
I’ve been following along with Emily on her music career – as well as her Instagram account – for years and years, but I still haven’t seen her in person even though she lives somewhat locally. I’m not trying to be her bff or anything, although I wouldn’t be opposed to that, but I think I at least owe it to both of us to see her perform live. Sorry, Emily, even though you don’t even know I exist; I promise I will remedy this situation asap and report back.
Anna Sun – WALK THE MOON
During the darkest time in my life a couple years ago, I was doing everything I could just to wake up the next morning. In the midst of this, over the span of about six months, I became obsessive about running. I would go outside and run for hours every day. Any time I didn’t have to work or halfheartedly do some other commitment, I was out there running aimlessly. I wasn’t upset about my body image. I wasn’t concerned with my health. It was literally just something to do that didn’t require the same kind of focus, say, reading a book does; the type of focus it did require prevented me from wallowing in my own misery. This was one of the songs I would have on repeat as I ran. My brain would chant, “Do you know this house is falling apart,” as my feet hit the pavement; left, right, left, right. I’m rebuilding now, so you don’t have to worry anymore, but it was a rough time for a while there.
Snake Eyes – Mumford & Sons
I can’t decide who I have a bigger crush on: Marcus Mumford or Carey Mulligan.
Time Is Dancing (live) – Ben Howard
That situation that I just told you about below with the song Georgia about the boy who was too good? This song is basically where I stand today with it. It’s not something that crosses my mind on any kind of regular basis, but the sentiment remains buried down there somewhere.
Georgia – Phoebe Bridgers
This song is so very important to me (the Killer EP version though, not the one on Stranger in the Alps that irks my soul). It takes me back to my high school self, when everything was all the more easy while simultaneously being overly complicated. I found this song in the midst of a saga surrounding this boy who was sweet as can be and quite gorgeous in the most pure way. He had a great family and upbringing and faith and overall lived this perfect life (or, as perfect as an imperfect life can be). For whatever reason, he took a shining to me and started exploring the next step, but I quickly put as much distance between us as the Atlantic Ocean. He was so good. So good. He was too good. I saw him as being almost childish in his innocence while I was yearning for a rock to lean on. His fresh, naive face scared me. I worried he’d sunburn my skin whenever I came up for air from my sea of dark feelings and sadness. I worried he couldn’t hold the weight of me, much less the rest of the world. I worried he’d fall and I wouldn’t be able to keep both of us standing. He was so good. I worried I wasn’t good enough. I let him go for the time being, never expecting him to physically go, leaving Georgia, and never coming back. I don’t feel sorry for myself; I have the hand I picked. I also don’t regret a relationship that never happened, but I think he could have been really special if he had proven me and my fears wrong. I regret not seeing past his goodness and giving him a chance at realness. It could have been magic, but now it’s too late.
Hold My Hand – The Fray
It’s such a simple, child-like thing, but there’s power in hand-holding. The butterflies of holding hands with someone you like for the very first time. The knot of hoping someone you don’t want to hold hands with doesn’t get the courage to go for it so you don’t have to get the courage to get out of it. The bridge of support in demon-filled times. The offering of strength when you’ve got nothing left. The quiet reminder that screams, “I’m here for you.”
Seventeen – Sjowgren
I’m trying to remember what I was even doing when I was seventeen, but I really don’t remember. Surviving. Obviously, it wasn’t overly exciting. It also did not sound remotely like this song, I can tell you that.
Another Love – Tom Odell
Does it get any more beautiful? Let’s talk about the vids that accompany this song. There’s an official music video, which I personally like more because it is visually gorgeous, where it perfectly displays the most obvious interpretation of this song: a man who’s in a new relationship and really wants to care about his new lover, but is emotionally numb from a previous situation. He wants to kiss her and be there for her and give it his all, but instead he’s lifeless in his chair, halfheartedly watching the world go by without so much as a shrug. He can’t muster up the strength to be there for her. He’s emotionally drained from another love. There’s also a short film that randomly goes with the song too, and I honestly have no idea why they both exist, but whatever. In this version, Tom is running around the city, handing out “missing” flyers for a woman who’s chasing after him that he doesn’t seem to recognize. Here, you can take this song as a lament for love, when love is right there with you this whole time if you would just clear your head enough to see it. Or, more interestingly, maybe the song could be about falling in love with a person who then either grows and changes or starts showing their true cards, becoming someone different and unrecognizable from who you initially fell in love with. A relationship that’s failing because you didn’t sign up for another love. You just want the original one back.
No Place Like You – Joy Williams
I am a sucker for idioms and quirky sayings, so of course I’m into the songs that put a clever spin on them. Home is where the heart is, and there’s no place like home, so there’s most certainly no place like you. I’ve previously said I’d maybe want a tough voice like Elle King’s, but honestly, I think I’d want Joy’s voice the most. She could sing the phone book and make me cry about the sequence of the numbers.
Always Remember Us This Way – Lady Gaga
This is where I could go into a long spiel about the movie, but I’m going to spare you and hold my tongue unless you particularly want to be subjected to such things, in which case, feel free to @ me. Regardless, I have serious writing envy over the line: “Lovers in the night, poets trying to write. We don’t know how to rhyme, but damn, we tried.” I so wish it was mine. I love Gaga as much as anyone, and maybe even a bit more, but I wish she did songs like this more often. She shines here, without the sparkly makeup and costumes. That plot sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Hm.
Notion – Tash Sultana
Even upon my very first listen, I somehow felt I knew this song. I love when that sensation strikes. To be able to create something where familiarity coincides with fresh intrigue is one of the ultimate goals in anything of a creative nature. This was my most-listened-to song a couple years ago. It’s utterly intoxicating without the drugs.
River – Leon Bridges
There’s something to be said for songs that are completely unmarked by timestamps. The types of songs that could have been written in 1950 or 2015. This is one of those songs. It’s timeless and classy and pretty. Are you talking on your rotary phone attached to the kitchen wall, or plugging your iPhone into the aux cord in your car? Who’s to say.
Come Together – The Beatles
That one night I hung out with James Bay, he sang this song and it was one of my favorite moments and that’s what I think about now when I hear it. But the Beatles are good too. Maybe you’ve heard of them, idk. Pretty underground stuff. You should check them out sometime.
Lala Song – Lala Lala
This entire song consists of, “I’m not even listening; you’re not even nothing,” and I think it’s genius. Lalalalalalalalalalala.
Three Tree Town – Ben Howard
There are two main frames of thought here about how you could take this song. You can go surface level, and it’s this sweet story about a girl and/or relationship that suffers from sadness and hard times and mind wars, but in the end, love always wins. We fall and we fall but eventually, we rise, and oh how beautiful that triumph is. If you go more abstract, and Ben has this way with words and thoughts that I wouldn’t be shocked if he dug deep here, it’s a song about finding beauty and comfort in your melancholy. You know exactly what I’m talking about, fellow Enneagram Fours. Listen to the lyrics again, but picture the girl, the she, as being this gentle, chronic sadness with a lesson to teach. Isn’t she stunning in that bright blue dress?
An Evening I Will Not Forget / Furthest Thing – Dermot Kennedy
This song is one of the greatest of all time, and I don’t say that lightly. The lyrics are pure poetry and the general construction of the song, the way it builds and doesn’t really have a structure and tumbles out like this emotional string of consciousness, is breathtaking. I also love how, if you didn’t know anything about Dermot – especially with his earlier stuff like An Evening – you may not picture him taking on songs by Drake, but he does and he does it well.
I Need Never Get Old – Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats
To me, this song is all about living in the moment. That feeling, whether it’s in a relationship or just a good phase in life, of not needing anything but that very second. The future doesn’t matter, the past doesn’t matter, but this right here matters.
False Confidence – Noah Kahan
I don’t struggle with too much general anxiety, but my social anxiety is terrible. Mustering up the confidence to have the most basic interactions is a daily struggle. It’s a mysterious thing. Even after dealing with it my whole life, I still can’t pinpoint exactly what it is about social settings that make me feel so skittish. It’s nothing rational or concrete. It’s certainly not as simple as a fear of people not liking me, as most people assume. I have a decent amount of false confidence though. I’ll keep patching the holes and waiting for the day the falseness becomes true.
You’re Somebody Else (Acoustic) – flora cash
You were a thing I trusted and aspired to. You spooked me and now I still run from you. Was there a mask always over your face? Or did your heart and trust become misplaced?
Half-Mast – Branches
It’s another sailing song, and we’ve already gone over how I feel about those (uncommonly great). When it comes on, it’s like my fingers are paralyzed and I can’t hit the skip button. It never gets old. I’m so proud that I found this one; I take care of myself and my musical needs.
Roses – The Chainsmokers ft. Rozes
This song came out four years ago and got a ton of airplay and has no real deep meaning and is basically just a catchy bop, and yet I still get excited when it comes on. I like the verse part at the beginning the best though, and then the chorus directly following is good, but after the minute and a half mark, I’m cool to move on to something else, haha.
Nightshade – The Lumineers
I like to think of this song as the super dark, mysterious cousin of Scotland. Maybe it’s the common television denominator, but I sense an extra tinge of drama hanging in both of them that isn’t typical of their music. Either way, I AM OBSESSED IT’S SO GOOD.
Wasting Time – Shane T
One of my favorite songs from the past year. I’m not entirely certain the exact point Shane was aiming to make or what he personally believes, but to me, it’s a song about half-hearted faith. The struggle of staying strong in what we believe, particularly when we’re not feeling strong. Talking the talk while walking the walk. We act like it’s this modern struggle and no one has ever had a war on faith to the extent that we do now with all our technology and conveniences, but it’s truly been an everlasting struggle that came with Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel. While our particular battle is new in its way, we’re not uncommon martyrs. Walking away is the easy thing to do, and it always has been, but sometimes there are things worth sticking around for. Not everything is a waste of time, a waste of life.
You Won’t Know Where You Stand – Aquilo
This song reminds me a lot of Amber Run. They synth-ee sound and subject matter. I like Amber Run a lot, and I like this song a lot, but I guess now it’s time to learn more about Aquilo so this song will remind me of them and not a different band. Ha.
I Want It All – COIN
My love’s not simple, it’s fragile, but you don’t even know.
Big Black Heart – Better Oblivion Community Center
I love me some Phoebe Bridgers, so you know I jumped on the chance to go see BOCC in concert – or, their terminology, meeting – at my favorite venue earlier this year. I was pleased to find that Phoebe is even more luminous is person, but now I’m pretty sure I’m a member of a cult, but it’s fine, I’m fine. The best part of this song is hands-down when the music changes and gets more hardcore and the, “Alright, alright for now,” starts up. So good.
Dove – Lala Lala
I only know this song because this band opened for another band I bought tickets to see. Concerts are more enjoyable when you already know the songs going into them, so I try to make it a habit to kinda become at least mildly familiar with everyone’s music beforehand. This quickly became my favorite one by Lala Lala, but I didn’t get a payoff. See, I have this uncanny talent for going to shows and having them not play the songs I most want them to. It’s a gift, really. At least I always have the forever-prize of getting to listen to the songs at home to my heart’s content. A consolidation prize, but a prize nonetheless.
Over The Love – Florence + The Machine
You don’t even know how long I have waited for this song to become available on Spotify. For years, it stayed grayed out on the album, allowing me and my fellow eager listeners to stream most of the other songs, but not this one. I used to play it over and over on YouTube when the movie first came out. I was obsessed with the pretty imagery of The Great Gatsby and torn yellow dresses and reaching for green lights across the water and into your eyes. Add in Flo’s iconic voice and bam. Magic. Six years later, I am relieved to report that this song still holds the test of time and my obsession was warranted.
Gloria – The Lumineers
With this album, The Lumineers are completely changing the traditional game as far as music releases go. Normally, a band will put together a record, put out three or so songs in the months leading up to the full release, and then you get all the rest at once. In the meantime, you also get some music videos for the singles, and maybe a couple additional ones if you’re extra lucky, but that’s it. That’s how the music world works and how it’s worked for a long time. What most bands aren’t taking into account is the drastic way streaming services are changing the game. There’s freedom to release any recording at any time without any need of a physical cd. With III, the songs are all being released, one by one, before the official release day even arrives. With each song comes a music video. Ten songs. Ten music videos. One story. The concept follows a family, three generations in particular, that struggles with addiction – both on a personal level, as well as the ripple-effects on present and future kinfolk. As a creative, the whole project is really inspiring and innovative. The music videos as a set have even been entered into the Toronto Film Festival. That’s the level of storytelling we’re talking. Seriously, go watch them. I think The Lumineers are ahead of their time and we’ll be seeing more stuff along these lines as the industry starts taking a hard look at the current format of music and using it to their advantage.
Fragile – Kygo ft. Labrinth
Me too.
Love is All – The Tallest Man On Earth
The little guitar riff. The way Kristian sings like… uh… I’m trying to think of how to describe it, but I kinda can’t. It’s… well… *technically* not beautiful, but it is. Somehow. It defies classic singing methods and techniques. It doesn’t live outside the box, but in its own box, and that box has a big wraparound porch that beckons you to sit at this man’s bare feet as he sings and plays and tells stories you’ve never heard but still already know somehow. Also, maybe I’m narrow-minded, but if you knew nothing about this guy, wouldn’t you picture him being from Mississippi or Virginia or Colorado or something? Turns out homeboy’s from Sweden. Did you know that? I didn’t know that.
Say Goodbye – Kate Barnette
Say what you mean and mean what you say. Don’t doubt me, love. Hooray for local talent, although I’m still salty she didn’t make it further on Idol.
ilomilo – Billie Eilish
If you are as uncultured as me, you had no idea what this Ilomilo mumbo-jumbo even meant when the song was released, but in an interview, Billie cleared that up for us by explaining that the song was inspired by a game of the same title where the goal is to get these two little characters, Ilo and Milo, back together again. Once you succeed, the reward is simply watching the two hug. This track uses some of the sound effects in the game, and the lyrics play with this fear of separation and maybe even taking it a step further with the fears of being reunited. It’s really neat and whimsical, but in a weirdly somber way. I can’t imagine it was easy to pull off, but she did it, and I think it’s one of the best from the album.
Blue Ridge Mountain – Hurray For The Riff Raff
The sound of home. This Georgia Peach will always be grateful for where she came from. I used to feel mildly embarrassed to be of Southern heritage, but I love it now. As cliche as it is, I wouldn’t be who I am without it. I wouldn’t see like I do. I wouldn’t write like I do.
Rillo Talk – Wild Child
Confession: I still get Pillow Talk, Rillo Talk, and Trillo Talk a little mixed up from time to time, but I’m getting there. But also, can you blame me? They’re all lovely, and I don’t know why I chose Rillo, but it felt right in the moment. I like them all a whole lot. I relate most to Trillo these days; maybe I was looking for a mood shift. Hm. Look them all up. Look Wild Child Up. The band is wonderful and has such a unique thing going on.
It Was A Sin – The Revivalists
This is one of those magical songs that I feel like most anyone could get into. Not the lyrical content necessarily, but just the general sound. It’s truly good in its own right, but also serves as a nice bridge, connecting different musical preferences on a common, happy ground. I can’t imagine anyone saying, “You know, I just hate this song,” unless it had been previously overplayed for them or some lyric triggered something.
Rescue – Lauren Daigle
Lauren gets a lot of criticism and flack from the Christian community. She’s too worldly. She’s not fully immersed in Biblical culture. She’s too this. She’s not enough that. I don’t know much about her personal life, and honestly, I don’t care a whole lot. The woman has an incredible voice – incredible in a way that I don’t even think most people realize – and if she committed herself to singing pop songs about getting drunk and taking her clothes off, she could be making a ton more money and set herself further in her music career. Instead, she’s still sticking with the Christian community, writing songs that move people deeply on a spiritual level. Her music is soul-touching and important. I guarantee it’s greatly helped save someone’s faith. I guarantee it’s greatly helped save someone’s life. Who cares what they say? When you have a calling, you do it. Haters gonna hate either way.
On the Run – Corey Harper
and I’m still running and running and running, and maybe these feet are getting a little tired, but maybe I’m too scared to slow down.
Migraine – Twenty One Pilots
Hi, welcome to my brain. Are you scared yet?
You’ve Made Your Bed (So Sleep In It) – You Me At Six
Gosh, this song – nay, this band – is so angsty. It takes me back to middle school when this kind of music was life. I could play it off like my enjoyment here is strictly nostalgic, but nah. It holds up. And ya know, maybe there’s some feelings of resentment and anger and twenty-something angst still mixed in, and maybe I think certain people out there in the world suck, but it’s fine. I’m fine. Ha.
Wildflowers – Tom Petty
Can we collectively agree that this is one of the lovliest songs of all time? It’s a classic and it’s a classic for a reason. You already know this one, so I don’t need to tell you it’s worth listening to. I mean, you do know this song, right? If you don’t, I am a little disappointed with you and it is high time you learn.
Scotland – The Lumineers
I’ve been (maybe illegally, sshhhh) listening to this song for yeeeaaars now, so it was a real pleasure when it was finally released at an official level. If you’re familiar with the television show Reign, you may recognize it as the opening song, and as far as I know, it was written exclusively for that purpose. That being said, I always picture this song being sung about a queen, or in normal-life, a really confident woman who feels so comfortable with herself in the most beautiful way. But that level of comfort came with a story, and that story came with a price. Confidence is not something that comes easily or naturally to me at all, so I use this song as kind of an encourager to be bold and put myself out there. It won’t ever be easy, but I can be a queen too, if I want.
Forever Young – Bob Dylan
It’s such a simple, sweet song that sprouts positivity and encouragement like wildflowers. It’s just plain difficult to feel mad or upset while listening. If you’ve been looking at this page at all, you know I’m all for songs that exhibit raw emotions and painful topics, but the ones that are uplifting in an earnest and genuine way deserve an important place at the table too. But then, of course, you don’t need me to tell you about how great Bob Dylan is. Ha.
Comes and Goes – Bobby, I Miss You
This is the kind of song that just makes me really happy music exists. It’s beautiful. It could serve as the soundtrack to a great number of different parts of life with different emotions. The verses are my favorite; the “come on, love”s. So good. I want to bury myself somewhere between the guitar picking and clapping sound.
Rocky Mountain High – John Denver
I have well over a hundred records at this point, but good ol’ John still has my highest count. He seemed like the nicest man. He inspires you to just go climb a mountain and listen to his stuff and release your inner Pocahontas and paint with all the colors of the wind. The only thing that puts a damper in my Denver parade is his untimely death over something so stupid, but so goes life.
Gypsy – Fleetwood Mac
I have a bit of a gypsy heart, my brain often swirling around with wandering gypsy dreams. In another life, I think I was a vagabond outcast, roaming the world with a kerchief and notebook, ha. Stevie wrote this song after a good friend of her’s died, which is horribly sad, but somehow the song isn’t. It’s got dark undertones, but it’s not depressing. It’s also not overtly about its subject, which is a testament to her writing; you can relate the song to situations that have nothing to do with death. I know I do. And ya know, I may not ever the best you’ve had, but you’ll never have another me.
Song Of Sorrow – Elle King
Melancholy is an emotion frequently misting up my mind and heart, so I find this song quite brilliant. Elle has a voice so different from my own – a sound that rings in this effortlessly gritty way that I could never accomplish. There are so many different styles of voices that I love; should the decision be mine to make, I could never pick what sort of voice I’d most want, so I guess I’m pretty glad I don’t get to pick. That’s one level of stress that I don’t need. Elle’s voice would certainly be a contender though.
Closer to Fine – Indigo Girls
“It’s only life, after all,” is maybe my favorite line in the song. On one hand, we only get one life, so this is our time to do or die. On the flip side, once we’re dead, we won’t care what we did with our lives, so long as we made it to heaven. It’s such a short blip in all of eternity. We’ll be in greener pastures, and there are so many other lives in the world, Earth won’t even notice we’re gone. We put all the weight of life into our lives, but how important are they really? Try for the job, ask the boy out, move across the county on a whim. If it goes horribly, it’ll be fine. It’s only life, after all.
Time (acoustic) – David Ramirez
Having unconventional lives and jobs, hours and commitments, is a common goal for us artistic souls. The rest of the world carries on though, no matter what our personal lives look like, and we still find ourselves feeling left behind somehow. Sometimes, having nothing to do and no one to talk to at 11am on a Tuesday is the most lonely existence known to man.
The Hearse – Matt Maeson
“What was it like to feel in love?” I don’t remember. My oh my, how quickly feelings fade. This song was the theme of the denim jacket I painted for myself, featuring a hearse and the line “I’m the escape to something that’s worse.” Getting Matt to sign it at the concert I attended was a #blessed moment.
Love on the Weekend – John Mayer
It’s hard to feel blue while listening to this song, even if you’re just spending the weekend with your dog.
Not What I Meant – dodie ft. Lewis Watson
The never-ending civil war between wanting to be liked and admired and “cool” in the current standards, but also true to yourself. The trailblazers of the world are never lost in the crowd, but neither are the lepers.
Can You Hear It – Josiah and the Bonnevilles
“And I can’t stop the day from dying, but I can sing the sunset for your ears. Golden orange, slowly falling, can you hear it?” I am so angry that I didn’t write this song. Brilliant. I think Josiah is one of the best singer-songwriters out there that hardly anyone knows. So, if you’re reading this right now, you are welcome. I have introduced you to a gem of a man.
Escape My Mind – Grace VanderWaal
I happened to have AGT on when Grace auditioned and kinda kept up with that season just to see how far she would go. The girl has a voice. Between the time of her being on the show and releasing music, I mostly lost touch with her career. That is, until I was in Old Navy one fateful day, digging in the clearance section, and this song came on. I immediately Shazamed it, as one does, and lo and behold, it was little Grace. Such a good song. Particularly in the age of social media paving the way of hanging on to those already dang-near inescapable ghosts, it’s a relatable track. Forget the buns; in today’s world, we need self-control of steal.
Dancing With Our Hands Tied – Taylor Swift
The ’80s feel with this one is cool, but my very favorite version is the live acoustic she performed on the Reputation tour on her gorgeous green guitar. Sometimes things are doomed to fail from the start, and there was nothing else to be done, but it was a good dance while it lasted and that’s okay.
Home Sweet Home – The Strumbellas
As someone who is convinced my love language is the more abstract sentiment of being taken care of instead of any of the classic five, this song is really great. Keep me dry and warm and tell me you care and we’ll get along swimmingly.
Rattle – Penny and Sparrow
This song slays me. It hurts and heals simultaneously. “I’m not proud of me, so how could you ever be?” I get shivers typing it.
(One of Those) Crazy Girls – Paramore
(One of those) most underrated songs ever. I love the old-fashioned, overly romantic ’50s vibes that accompanies the psychotic ex storyline. It’s relatable in a desperate, alternate universe sort of way. The instinct to cling on and fight for someone or something that doesn’t want you any longer. The inner want to be desirable to the things you yourself desire. The best part is, “If you don’t answer I’ll just use the key that I copied, because I really need to see you. If you’re not here when I break in, I’m gonna go to your closet just so I can smell your skin. As the chemicals swim, I know I’ll never love again.” That takes it so over the top. It’s utterly delightful.
pink skies – LANY
If I’m being honest, I may like the title of the song better than the song itself.
Maps For The Getaway – Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
The broke-in-love life ain’t an easy one, but it’s a special one nonetheless.
California – James Blunt
Over one spring and summer, I worked outside with the flowers. To beat the Georgia heat a little, I’d aim to start early each morning. The sun would still be coming up, my coffee still trying to kick in, and this on repeat in the car as I drove. There’s a specific road along my route that I think of whenever this song comes on. Isn’t it interesting when ordinary moments that mean nothing at the time randomly get stamped in our minds forever?
Video Games – Lana Del Rey
The first time I ever knew Lana existed was when she performed this song on American Idol back in 2012. It was weird to me at the time, uncommonly moody and glamorous, but I absolutely loved it. There was also a personal connection, because I had this inseparable almost-boyfriend who I’d play video games and tease around with, and we liked each other in this specific way, but we always had this doom hanging over our heads because we weren’t what each other truly wanted. This was the perfect song to sit in my feelings about it all with. I remember playing the music video over and over on YouTube and it impressed me that she put together the video herself with a bunch of little clips; I instantly knew I wanted to do that too, but didn’t know how. Seven years later, I don’t have the boy, but I do make my own videos and I still wear out Lana’s stuff. This song will always be particularly special to me though.
Roman Holiday – Halsey
I can’t remember how I first found Halsey, but I do remember wearing this record OUT when I did. She was refreshing. A voice so sweet with words that could cut to your bones (and maybe even through your bones) whenever she wanted. These days, it seems that bone-cutting sensation is most of what she focuses on, but I miss songs like Roman Holiday, where magic lies within the tragedy of love gone wrong.
I Don’t Want U Back – BORNS
“I sleep better than every night you were lying next to me.” Your friendly neighborhood Double-Meaning Officer is dropping by. Don’t you love how people just like to drag you on needlessly because they can’t cut ties themselves? Gross. Man up.
Honey Hold Me – Morningsiders
Okay, this is one of the most adorable songs I know. But adorable in a way that’s not obnoxious. Also another one that would fit a long-distance relationship really well that I didn’t hone in on until after I was no longer in a long-distance relationship, but you better believe I’m putting this one in my back pocket to send to my future husband whenever he like, leaves the house for two seconds to pick up pinestraw or something.
Easy – Alison Wonderland
This is such an enneagram four song (holllla to my kinfolk). “Walked into the bathroom just so I could cry, wish I knew why. Oh, baby, why don’t you find someone easy?” is an anthem to our complicated souls, am I right?
Say Amen – American Authors ft. Billy Raffoul
I don’t know a whole lot about American Authors, but I was pleasantly surprised when this song came out. Maybe it’s complete coincidence, but the only songs I’d ever heard by them were happy and bouncy and fun and catchy – and believe me, I like Best Day Of My Life as much as anyone else – but it was refreshing to hear something more ominous from them. The song reminds me of X Ambassadors a lot, which is interesting, but I dig it.
State I’m In (Acoustic Live) – NEEDTOBREATHE
So fun and catchy. I like the double-meaning of, “state,” as a land marker and general well being. In a way, I feel like it’s a, “well screw it,” sort of song, but without much of the darkness that accompanies such feelings. Like blowing off responsible ways of life to go frolic in a lupine-filled meadow instead of getting day drunk in a dive bar.
Passenger – Noah Kahan
It’s the best when you fall into an artist/band by happenstance, and then it’s announced that they’re coincidentally opening for another artist you’ve got tickets to see. It’s happened to me on several occasions. Noah was one of them. So, thanks, James Bay, for providing me with the live version of this song. It did not disappoint
Dorado – The Last Bison
This one’s all about the melody and cadence. Listen without it getting stuck in your head. I dare you.
All The Same – Future Generations
I spent a good portion of one night in really close proximity to the lead singer of this band, and now I’m kinda regretting not getting him to take a picture with me and/or sign something. Didn’t really know any of his music then, but I do now and, well, it ain’t bad and neither was he. Ha.
Walk Unafraid – First Aid Kit
For years, I thought I only liked one song by First Aid Kit and the rest were just not my thing. Now I’m strongly questioning what the heck I was listening to that ever ignited such a distaste because I have completely changed my tune and found no recent wrongs. They’re really good. So, uh, my bad. Sorry, ladies.
Amsterdam – Gregory Alan Isakov
I often ponder, should I be fortunate enough to fall in love with a musician, what sort of song I would want written for me. Something much like this is a strong contender. As with most of Gregory’s work, this song is absolutely swoon-worthy and old-school and overly romantic without pouring anything on too heavy. “She’s easy on the eyes,” gets me every. dang. time. Easily one of the loveliest songs I know. And you guys, it even has a lesson there at the end. Does it get any more up my alley?
State Of Grace – Taylor Swift
One of the best songs off of one of the best albums of all time. Taylor can write a mean (aha) love song. This one describes so perfectly the magic of those first few months in a new relationship. Everything feels good and right and filled with every once of promise. Take me back to that night in Tennessee, oh so many years ago, when everything was still innocent.
Broken Figures – Iron Eyes Cody
Kind of a quirky song with unconventional structures and sounds. Towards the end is the best part, when their voices start going over each other, existing in unison while pulling into their separate lines. They say keeping time while singing different parts with your partner is super tricky, but I don’t know. I’ve never tried.
I Made a Mess Here (22 Symphony) – Dylan Rockoff
“How do you write like an angel, and yet you bite like a spitfire?” Once upon a time, you were my safe haven. Now, you’ve made a mess here, and I have too. Your eyes were always wandering ones, while mine were trained to you.
Carrie Bell – Ben Sollee
Gets stuck in my head all the freaking time. Good thing I’m obsessed. I love that it’s classic and old-timey-sounding. The music compliments the lyrics so well and tells a story of its own The best part is when the tone shifts and he starts insisting he ain’t gonna hurt nobody, and I can’t decide if the double-negative is imperative here. My bet’s on yes.
Apple Trees – Haiva ru
“When I was dreaming, you were wide awake” could have a couple different meanings, and I haven’t decided which one to settle on for this song. It could be that he’s taking things in the relationship very seriously and sleeping well at night knowing that this is good and secure, while she’s taking it significantly less seriously and returning the overly-romantic sentiments in the newness of it all while hiding her hesitance. Or the opposite, in that she’s still in love and feeling dreamy, but he’s quit the dream. I don’t know. I really can’t land on one. Either way, if my life were to be a movie, this song would be in it. Anther creepily accurate one, no matter the angle. Also, before we move on, can we just appreciate the album art?
All That and More (Sailboat) – Rainbow Kitten Surprise
Let it be known that I am a SUCKER for songs that have anything to do with mariner themes. In a past life, I was 100% a pirate. Bonus points if there’s an included archaic-sounding ditty in there. Like, classic sailing songs that sound like kinda like hymns but different. There’s a word for that but I can’t think of what it’s called. It’s late. I need to go to bed. If you know what old ship hymns are called, please tell me.
33 “GOD” – Bon Iver
If I’m being honest, the thing that turned me on to this song is the line, “I’d be happy as hell if you stay for tea.” I’m so simple. Ha. On a more serious note, this is one complex song. I’m not going to pretend that I know what it all means, because I really don’t. As a Christian myself, I hear a struggle with God. The questioning of if He’s real, and if He is, why am I still stuck in all this worldly stuff? Why haven’t I been rescued yet? Why are You so far from saving me? At first, I debated about the integrity of listening to this record. I’m not one to subscribe to the idea that everything with curse words or explicit content is straight from hell and should never be consumed, but I don’t feel very comfortable letting myself be surrounded by things of a sacrilegious or disrespectful nature. Ultimately, I don’t think this song falls into that category. The truth is, there is a lot of questioning involved with being a believer, and it’s not all feeling of thanks and grace. You don’t wake up living this happy life full of rainbows and unicorns the second you get saved like a lot of Christian content tries to sell us. I have no idea what Justin’s personal faith in Jesus looks like, but I know what mine does, and I think this song has a good thing going.
Down to the Sea – Elephant Revival
The instrumental parts exalt joy. Songs with perfectly-written lyrics are special to me because I aspire to reach such levels someday. My brain manufactures pairings of words as my lungs breathe air. Music, complex notes and chords layered and blended together to create something profound, is something I’ll likely never succeed in creating very well. As highly unfortunate as that is, I have a whole lot of respect for those that can. And that definitely includes each and every person who made this track exist.
Where The Time Went – Ex:Re
Probably my favorite from the album, and that’s really saying something. This song hurts. In typical Daughter/Elena fashion, it is raw and gut-wrenching and so honest. I feel it in my soul. Another that dropped at the right moment in my personal life.
Shrike – Hozier
THIS IS MUSIC. THIS SONG IS EVERYTHING. ONE OF THE BEST THINGS TO HAPPEN IN 2019. The timing of it all, man. This was the story of my heart the very moment it was released. It felt like it was written just for me. It’s so very beautiful and almost cheerful-sounding, but the lyrics are just plain sad and complex. To me, it’s a song about romanticizing what was. A relationship that may have been pretty crappy in the moment, but as soon as it’s out of your reach, all you can think about is the best parts. Your brain starts worshiping that person and you can’t believe you let them get away. You chastise yourself for not doing more, being more. You wish you could go back and do it all differently and better. You see how you messed up and want a chance to fix it and maybe then everything would finally be peachy. It doesn’t work like that though. Sometimes you just gotta bleed out until all the toxicity is gone. Dang. Welcome back, Hozier.
Reno – Wild Child
There’s something about the melody that made me adore this song after the very first listen. Plus, I know long-distance stuff well, so there’s a pretty personal connection. Too bad I didn’t find it until a couple months after that particular relationship came to a screeching halt, ha.
You Worry Me – Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Gosh, you guys, this song is so good. I’ll never have a “Favorites” playlist without it. The music is fun and bouncy, but the lyrics are mysterious and suggestively dark. I played it over and over and over again when I first discovered this song existed. It’s addictive.
A World Alone – Lorde
“All my fake friends and all of their noise complain about work; they’re studying business, I study the floor,” is one one my favorite lyrics ever. Also, “I feel so grown-up with you in your car – I know it’s dumb.” Having experienced similar relationships and feelings, I love that it’s an in-the-moment love song. It’s not lovey-dovey-ooey-gooey or steamy and overly passionate. Just a couple best friends figuring life out together and loving each other best of all while also knowing it’s fleeting. It’s a doomed situation, “a train wreck waiting to happen,” but you’re still my best friend. Whatever’s in front of us can be beautiful, even if it disappears tomorrow.
Slow Burn – Kacey Musgraves
I’m trying to get on board with the whole Kacey Musgraves craze, and while I’m not fully sold yet, I like this one well enough. But she has such a distinct cadence that gets a tad annoying after a while. And she also does stuff like, “In Tennessee, the sun’s going down; but in Beijing they’re headin’ out to work” and it doesn’t fit together at all and just sounds really awkward. I don’t know. I don’t always get it, but I’m trying *shrugs*
The Boys Of Summer – Don Henley
Another one of my favorite songs of all time. Way better than Hotel California – in my opinion – but it seems the rest of the world, as well as the Billboard charts, don’t quite agree. The imagery is perfect and it makes me want to watch a high school eighties film. Does Netflix have Footloose again yet?
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right – Bob Dylan
He uses the word “iff’n” (sp?) and I love it. Isn’t this song such a mood though? Fitting that it comes right after when the party’s over; it’s like once you get over the initial depression, this annoyance starts to shine through. You just kinda wasted my precious time, but it’s fine. Don’t worry about it. You suck. Thanks for nothing. Ha. I also have to point out the cleverness in the spelling of the title. While it may have been 100% coincidental, I like that it’s “all right” instead of “alright.” To me, those are two different things. “Alright” could be exchanged for “okay.”Don’t think twice, it’s okay or it’s fine. Once you break up the word to “all right,” you bring in the potential for a double meaning. Not only is it okay, but it’s how it’s supposed to be. All’s right in the world again, now that I’m on my way without you.
when the party’s over – Billie Eilish
The freakin’ GOAT of songs. Billie does it again. So perfect in all the ways. Quitting people is stupid hard; it makes me sick even thinking about it. Like an addict, the thing you want most is the thing you can’t have. Like an addict, the only way to move on to a better life is to tough it out and let it go. Empty houses suck. Being lonely sucks. Lying to yourself and everyone else that things are great and you’re getting along fine in the aftermath sucks. Someday it won’t though. Someday, it’ll be worth it.
Feeling You – Harrison Storm
I find the graphic design on this album artwork to be very pleasing. The song’s cool too. The bridge is my favorite part. But then, you already knew that, didn’t you? #bridgequeen
Under The Same Sun – Ben Howard
This is all golden hour sunshine and road trips to inner souls. This is everything pure and lovely. This is love that lasts a lifetime.
O I Long to Feel Your Arms Around Me – Father John Misty
I’m into this song for the music and choruses of “aaaahhhh“s in the background. I’d be happy with a loop of the beginning part before he starts singing. Not that there’s anything wrong with the man’s singing. That’s just how much I like the instrumental with the ahhs.
Seven – Rainbow Kitten Surprise
It’s lit like Christmas trees.
Swing – Josiah and the Bonnevilles
One of my favorite songs of all time. It’s beautiful and slightly dark and quite amusing. I love that the music is lighthearted and bouncy when the subject matter isn’t. I love that he still describes her admiringly while talking about something as undesirable as fighting… again. It could easily be an eye-rolling or draining situation, but it’s not. It’s love.
Glamour Child – Moonrise Nation
I don’t identify with this song anymore, but I used to live it a few years ago. It was one of the worst times of my life, and I remember sitting at the little desk in my room late at night, listening to this song on repeat and crying in my misery after swearing to myself that I wouldn’t. It was a dramatic time. On a serious note though, I’d never been so depressed and haven’t again since. It’s horrible, the emotional power we give to people who don’t deserve it. The tyranny we hand ourselves over to in the name of adoration. I’m my own queen now.
Her Locket on a Chain – Friendly Savages
The imagery here is everything. If it gives old-fashioned vibes, I am ALL IN. I want to be this song when I grow up. Not the singers of the song, not the subjects of the song, but the song itself.
The Perfect Parts – Shakey Graves
I like his newer stuff fine, and I’ll always support his artistry, but I absolutely love this side of Shakey (Alejandro?). The synthetic stuff is nice, but he truly shines when pushing the raw, tough, cowboy aesthetic and I hope it never fully goes away.
Flowers in Your Hair – The Lumineers
The loveliest of songs. If you don’t like it, we won’t get along at all. Sorry. But also kinda not.
The Breach – Dustin Tebbutt
Pretty sure this was my most-listened-to song on Spotify a few years ago. It’s one of those that I almost never skip; I get so caught up in it every time I listen. Not sure what it is about it, but I find it downright ethereal.
Salome & Saint Procula – Penny and Sparrow
You know what other type of songs I love? Role playing ones. Imaginations being used to offer unconventional points of view. This song looks at things as the villain. Someone had to do things wrong so the rest of society would know how to do things right. Someone had to set a bad example. Someone had to do bad things for good things to happen. Why not me?
Anonymous Club – Courtney Barnett
Shoutout to Theo for sending me the music video to this song, knowing full well I’d be into it. I really love songs about ordinary things. This one’s just two friends spending the evening together, having a home-cooked meal and connecting without phones (my, my, what a concept). It’s simple. It’s sweet.
Where’s My Love – SYML
The melody is so pretty, the song so haunting. I’d love to make a music video for this song. A professional one, where I could travel to the sets of my choosing and hire people to help.
Say It – Maggie Rogers
Same, girl, same. Why couldn’t I say it?
May Your Eyes Cry – Andrew Applepie, Bjurman
I kinda feel like this song is a joke or something, but I can hang.
Sleep On It – Emmi
Another one my good friend Taylor hooked me up with.
Same Way – Betcha
Fun fact: I got really into this song, then found out Betcha was coincidentally opening for the Matt Maeson concert I had tickets to and I was all, “Sweeeet.” Fast forward – it was a great show, but even though they don’t have an extensive catalog of songs whatsoever, they didn’t play this one and it offended me on a personal level. I met them and chatted for a few minutes afterwards, but completely failed to bring up my grief about leaving this song out, and now my missed opportunity still keeps me up at night because my ideal situation would have been them whipping out an acoustic guitar and remedying the offense, and like, I know that’s really out there, but it’s within the realm of possibility. It was the weirdest night of my life anyway, so literally anything could have happened but now I’ll never know.
Tribulation (Stripped) – Matt Maeson
Matt has quickly become one of my favorite artists, and his stripped versions of all of his songs are the best. There’s a raw honesty that’s so relatable it kinda hurts.
Bare – WILDES
I’m a complete sucker for dark, indie pop tunes. It’s rather brooding and melancholy and mysterious for a song called Bare.
When Does a Heart Move On – Joy Williams
This song is hard. These feelings are hard. I could cry if I thought about it enough. I’m still waiting, ya know?
Ribs – Lorde
I don’t always think of Lorde as being one of my favorite artists, but she truly is. Her songs are magical in an ordinary, high-schoolish sort of way. Life is so simple – yet excruciatingly complicated – in those years, and it carries into young adulthood and being alive in your twenties and still trying to figure things out. Her music is full of Millennial anthems.
Pink Lemonade – James Bay
James opened with this song at the show I attended, and it was seeing it live that really turned my heart to it. The first songs in concerts always have amazing energy as everyone’s excitement of seeing this artist or band they love for maybe the first time ever starts bubbling over. The crowd was screaming along to the words and dancing, and I started screaming and dancing too, and a memory was made for all of us. A more sarcastic rendition fit into my life really well at the time in an oddly quotable way, and I’d drive around town in the following weeks, blasting this song and angrily singing along, my happy little tea-kettle self releasing some steam.
Caves – Gregory Alan Isakov
Don’t even get me started on my love for Gregory’s songwriting skills and command of the English language. The poetry and imagery. He has such a trademark style that no one has ever pulled off in the same way. I don’t know much about him, but if his music is a representation of whatever lives inside his brain, then I am head-over-heels in love with this man, and this bashful girl ain’t even self-conscious about it.
Goodness – Valley Maker
This ditty clocks in at a whopping seven minutes and twenty second, which is highly impressive to me. Not only the writing aspect, which is downright haunting, but the fact that when I’m listening to it, it doesn’t feel like it’s dragging on. I’d never guess that I could theoretically run a mile by the time the song is over. It breaks the “rules” of song structure and lives in its own universe that redefines the meaning of a moment.
Thought I Told You – The Academic
If I’m being honest, I don’t fully get the chorus of this song, but I still like it. In my mind, it belongs in a trilogy with two other songs on this playlist: She’s Casual by the Hunna and Carousel by Amber Run. They all remind me of each other, and maybe could tell a story of a rather toxic relationship when all combined.
Sunglasses At Night – Corey Hart
One of my favorite songs from the eighties. It only made it to number seven on the Billboard charts, which isn’t bad for a debut album, but I find it offensive because on the Kaleigh charts, it would have reached number one for at least a few weeks.
Silver Lining – Mt. Joy
I was riding in the passenger seat of an ex’s car the first time I heard this song. I can’t remember where we were coming back from. What day of the week it was. What we were doing. I just remember this specific section of this specific road, stuck in traffic at twilight. We were both upset about something and the standstill on the road wasn’t helping. Then this song came on and neither of us knew it yet, but we liked it and turned it up and let the music carry us away from the mess were in for three minutes and eighteen seconds.
Running With the Wolves – MyKey
The music of this one is what makes it truly great. For me, the melody has become driving around the Tetons. I love that.
Dreams – Fleetwood Mac
Did you know Stevie wrote this song in just ten minutes? Not only is it an impressive testament to the power of honest song-writing and Stevie’s ability to string words and thoughts together in an effective way, but it’s also just interesting to think about. One of the most classic and iconic songs in music history was born so quickly. Wouldn’t it have been neat to be a fly on the wall during those ten minutes? To be a janitor, just happening to… I don’t know, sweep the floor in that room of that studio at that time on that day? To witness such an event?
Here’s Lookin’ at You – Ryan Eggold
So, Ryan is an actor, evidently. I just really like the song. Romantic in a classic, old-fashioned sort of way.
On The News – Keaton Henson
Keaton has one of the most unique sounds I’ve ever heard. I think it’s one of those things that you either love and obsess over, or simply don’t *get. * Maybe that’s the true definition of art. I definitively fall in with the former category.
Boom – X Ambassadors
Honestly, this song is silly, but it’s fun to dance around to while revving up your attitude and swagger. Like dang, we cool. Watch me walk away. *insert sunglasses emoji*
Grace – Future Generations
This band opened for Wild Child when I saw them in concert, and while I found it a slightly odd choice, I didn’t dislike it. None of their songs were familiar to me, but this one left maybe the biggest impact. I went home and looked it up right away.
My Forest Fire – Maldito
Some songs have such iconic melodies and riffs, and I definitely count this as one of them. The kind that makes you want to sing along with the instruments. Doodoodoodododoooo. Okay, so it doesn’t work in written form. Don’t judge me.
Amused – HUNGER
I’m realizing that the name of this band makes me more uncomfortable than amused, but it’s a good song. Ha.
Miss Me More – Kelsea Ballerini
Remember how I mentioned I went through a “homecoming” sort of phase earlier this year? Yeah, well, this song is included in that mentality. The idea of coming home to yourself, specifically the parts of yourself you stifled down in attempts to fit with another. Happy Independence Day.
The Ocean Song – Joe Probert
This song is genius and deserves way more attention that it’s gotten. So good. Tragically underrated. Give it a listen. Seriously.
Over the Creek – George Ezra
Solid album. This song initially got kinda lost in the noise for me, but I’ve reunited with it, given it the appreciation it deserves, and it feels so good.
Harlem – New Politics
This song is dumb but I love it.
Fools – Wild Child
One of the best decisions I’ve maybe ever made was buying tickets to a Wild Child show when only knowing one song. I had this feeling that their music was something I could fall deeply into, and boy was I right. Strangely, the show itself didn’t make the biggest impression on me (to be fair, I was living in a perpetual haze at the time), but the songs that I committed myself to learning in the days leading up to the show certainly did. There’s no other band quite like them. It’s really neat and whimsical, the stuff they do. I listen to them all the time now, and mourn the years I didn’t know any other song but the one that inspired me to buy the ticket that they didn’t even play at the show. If that’s not a metaphor for life, then I don’t know what is.
Back In My Body – Maggie Rogers
A poem to music. My life in words more beautiful than my own. More beautiful than the silent, twisted words in my mind, finding their way into every line.
Elephant – Jason Isbell
It’s not easy to pull off cancer songs without them coming off either kinda corny and Hallmark-ish (hi, Rascal Flatts), or devastatingly… well… devastating. Jason does it well. It’s horrible and real and unfair, but also quirky and human with lighthearted moments. It’s hard to hear, but makes you want to listen again and again.
Lovers in Japan – Coldplay
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know about Coldplay, but I’ve never been a true fan. Of course I know the stuff that plays on the radio, and I actually really like most of it, but I don’t often go out of my way to look them up. I don’t know why. Probably, like Kings of Leon, I just don’t think of doing it. Or maybe I’m too much of a hipster and they’ve gotten too mainstream. Ha. I heard this song playing in Del Taco one evening and was like, “cool jam, man,” and added it to my playlists. The end. Del Taco, serving up the music you don’t deserve, but need. Ayyy.
disclaimer: I promise I’m not high or drunk, but I am pretty tired, thanks for asking.
Lost – Dermot Kennedy
“My sense of wonder’s just a little tired.” Nobody writes like Dermot. My own writer’s heart is full of respect, admiration, and envy (in the least-hateful way). I couldn’t tell you the amount of times I tell myself, “There can’t be solace every time you cry.” I could go on and on about the lyrical gold here. If you want to talk about it, I am here to talk about it. In the meantime, just go listen to this man. I can’t say anything he hasn’t already.
Record Year – Eric Church
It’s fine if country music isn’t your thing (it’s not always mine either), but if you can’t at least appreciate the cleverness of this song, then we may not can be friends. One of the songs I really wish I had written – or, my own take on it, anyway. I wish the idea had have been mine first.
Tompkins Square Park – Mumford & Sons
This song is driving home from work, night after night, on this particular road, listening to this song, and probably (and by probably, I mean most definitely) with tears rolling dramatically down my face. Oh, babe, I’d never been so lost. Or so it felt, anyway.
Waiting Room – Phoebe Bridgers
Once upon a time, I felt like this song described my life so perfectly. In retrospect, I wish I had accepted it was for the better and made my parents’ teenage daughter move along to other adventures, but alas. What I know now wasn’t what I knew then.
On Call – Kings of Leon
I go through this unending cycle of finding a Kings of Leon song to fall in love with, and then forgetting they exist with a ton of other songs that I don’t know yet but could potentially really like, until I remember months and months and months later and seek out another one and then the cycle continues. But don’t worry. I’ll know all of their songs in approximately seventy-two more years.
ocean eyes – Billie Eilish
I adore live versions of this song. The girl was like, fifteen at the time it came out and still has the most enviable voice. She’s also gorgeous under all her freakin’ weird clothes, has promise as a slightly avant-guarde photographer, and used to be an amazing dancer before an injury. All I’m saying, is babe’s gifted, to say the least. Hooray for homeschoolers
Blood Bank – Bon Iver
“I’m in love with your honor, I’m in love with your cheek” is one of my favorite lyrics ever. Especially as it’s closely followed by dreams of waking up side-by-side on Christmas morning, kids moving around upstairs. A couple dogs and a fireplace with stockings for everyone. Okay, I’m totally making things up at this point, but it sounds nice. I don’t know. There’s a softness there that you don’t always get in music these days. It’s not about her smooth thighs or sexy long hair or beautiful curves. He’s daydreaming about who she is, everything she is, and everything life is. It’s a pretty song. It’s a melancholy song. It’s a real-life song. Real-life’s hard.
Love – Lana Del Rey
This song is so unlike Lana, while also being very Lana. More optimistic and wholesome than most of her other works, but modernly glamorous and vintage in her usual trademark fashion. I think it’s downright lovely and relatable.
Carousel – Amber Run
I’m into this song, but it’s one of the few that isn’t about lyrical content whatsoever. There’s actually a particular hard spot on my heart for those relationships that stop and start and get back together and break up again and again. The kind that outwardly claims to be over it while still hooking up with this person they “hate” in the closet. The kiss that follows the curse that follows the kiss. I hate it all. Carousels are a hard no from me, but the song’s nice. It makes me mad, but it’s nice just the same. Also, I’m a real joy at parties. Ha.
All My Friends – Dermot Kennedy
Upon discovering Dermot a few years ago, this wasn’t one of my initial favorites. Not that it wasn’t good, but it’s easily overshadowed by other greats, such as An Evening I Will Not Forget or A closeness. Sometimes, seeing songs performed live will totally change the significance to you, as was the case here. The bridge had always gotten lost in the song, but when I really heard the words for the first time, standing in that crowded room in total awe, I felt like I had found my song-soulmate. “But I think of the things that it taught me; she starts to think, “Evil has lost me;” I walked with the wolves and it haunts me; she steps with intention to run free; so, stunner, don’t ever move softly; you’ve been on a journey they can’t see; when dancing in ballrooms, you will lead; promise you’ll smile off a memory.” I lost a *lot* in the days following that magical light bulb moment at the concert, but this song served as a reminder that it’s not for nothing, I can handle it, there’s always goodness and beauty among the bad, and no matter what, I’ll be better for it.
Hospital Beds – Cold War Kids
I love Florence and the Machine as much as anyone else, but the original always wins out. This song reminds me of old-school British hospitals for some reason. Mostly, I think of the movie A Little Princess and young Sara – relatively fresh from India – finding her long-lost father in that hospital. I hear the book has a different ending though and I’m feeling re-inspired to read it. But also feeling uninspired, as it may mess up the imagery I get for this song. Priorities.
Ava – Famy
Can I just say that this band is MISSING OUT ON SUCH OPPORTUNITY AND MY WANNA-BE MARKETER SELF IS ANGRY AT THEM FOR NOT JUMPING ON THIS MOMENT TO BE AND DO MORE. First, let me just say that I know *nothing* about this Famy band. Nothing. I found this song on Spotify. It was released in 2014. It has 8,576,243 streams as of right now. That’s a lot. Like, a lot a lot. IT’S THE ONLY SONG ON THERE THOUGH. THEY ARE THE TRUEST FORM OF A ONE-HIT WONDER. WHERE DID THEY GO? WHY DID THEY NOT DO MORE? HAVE THEY ALL DIED? EIGHT MILLION PEOPLE CARE ABOUT THEIR WORK AND THEY DID NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE WHY.
Carnation – Jordan Rakei
Remember that thing I said about true friends sharing music? My other bff, Dermot Kennedy, told me about this one. Thanks, man. You’re the real mvp.
Hewlett’s Comet – Dustin Tebbutt
So romantic. I swoon over the whole us against the world mentality. This is our love. Deliciously intimate. On a totally different and slightly nonsensical note, anybody watch Better Call Saul? You know that engineer guy, Werner Ziegler, who had a nice wife and highly unfortunate fate that I’m still a little mad about? Yeah, well, the whole time I was watching season four, I couldn’t stop thinking about how much he reminded me of an older version of Dustin. No idea why. They don’t look overly similar, and I don’t even know what Dustin looks like *that* much. I mean, I’ve seen some pictures, but I don’t know the guy or regularly see his face. Isn’t it strange, the random connections our brains make?
Runaway – Ziggy Alberts
I remember finding this song a couple years ago and having heart eyes for days about it. Also having that cheated feeling of this is so good, why has it taken me so long to hear it?!
The Mask – Matt Maeson
For a song about a mask, I feel seen. It’s one thing to pour out my soul online and/or in writing form, but in actual life, I cope pretty differently. Everybody who meets me knows a version of me, and it’s authentic to who I am, but I can fully and confidently say that nobody has ever in the history of the world experienced the full me, in all my bare-faced and strange glory (except Jesus – bless His heart). There’s a lot of deep fear there that I wouldn’t be lovable, or I couldn’t be understood. An insecurity from my personal history that I’d be abandoned – or just an overall disappointment – for not being enough. As the song says, there’s no growth without letting go of these things. And I’m getting better at it. It doesn’t happen all at once though.
Where’s Your Heart Gone – Golden Youth
This song popped up in my Discover Weekly playlist on Spotify. Except… it was in simlish. Yes, you read that right. No, simlish is not a real language. Yes, simlish is evidently what the little people in the Sims video games speak. No, I had no clue they spoke a fictional language that could be translated into a real song. I liked the overall sound a lot, but wasn’t keen on listening to a song in a fake language. Thankfully, there’s an English version too for old sticks in the mud like me who like lyrics too much to overly enjoy songs I can’t understand. Go listen to the simlish version though. It’s an experience. It also sounds very legit. Call me naive, but on my first listen, I thought she was singing in her native language. No even gonna lie.
Almost (Sweet Music) – Hozier
I’m just excited Hozier is putting out new music again, okay?
Diamond Road – Railway Gamblers
I have never ever heard the name Railway Gamblers outside of my Spotify playlists, and that’s a crying shame. For being mostly unknown, Diamond Road has this inexplicably iconic feel, which makes it one of my favorite songs to blast in my car while driving around after dark with the windows down. I haven’t known about it long, so it very much belongs in my current phase of life, but it also holds a certain nostalgia of the classic country songs from my childhood.
Ozma – Shannon and the Clams
The lyrics are bizarre, at best, but I dig it. If my life were a movie, this song would be playing in the background to a montage of me falling in love with about a hundred strangers in coffee shops from afar.
Good Nights – Whethan ft. Mascolo
Catchy. Gets stuck in your head. Now I’m on my own, but I won’t call because I’m alright.
Front Porch – Joy Williams
Y’all. I was the biggest fan of The Civil Wars and I think my heart legitimately broke with the duo. JP went his way, and Joy went hers, and while music continued to be released by both parties independently, I never felt that same sort of magic. Just as I was certain I would never have something akin to the haunting genius of The Civil Wars ever again, Joy went and released the Front Porch album and my word, it’s everything I could have dreamed of. Easily one of the greatest albums of all time, in my opinion. This song in particular dropped when the recurring theme of my life was this idea of coming home and returning to my roots. Not so much a literal homecoming, but a metaphorical one. A post-breakup, soul-searching, who-am-I, where-do-I-belong, what-do-I-do-now, what-in-this-life-holds-real-value sort of thing. It reminded me that we all belong somewhere, even if that belonging is wrapped around our own skeleton. We’re always home when we remember what matters most.
Go Your Way – Alabama Shakes
Recently, I found myself trying to describe Alabama Shakes to my mom, and, well, I couldn’t. Kinda bluesy, kinda soulsy, kinda folky, kinda poppy, kinda oldie, lotta indie. The style – whatever it actually is – isn’t what I would usually gravitate to, but when it’s done this well, it begs to be felt and enjoyed. These ladies and gents have a great thing going, and hope someday they’re a household name so I don’t have to keep trying to poorly describe such art.
She’s Casual – The Hunna
A fun one. The kind you listen to with the windows down, backwards baseball cap over messy hair, and sneakers propped up on the dashboard. There’s something about music and movement. They go hand in hand, but it took me forever to figure out why I like listening in the car so much. Also, can we just establish that real friends share great music with friends? Taylor Swift is my bff, and if you’re reading this right now, I’m yours. Xo.
Light On (Spotify acoustic) – Maggie Rogers
A few years ago, I happened upon Alaska and absolutely fell in love with Maggie’s sweet + honest voice overtop quirky synthetic beats. In my mind, she remained a best-kept secret in the music world until Light On started hitting top forty radio by storm in the days leading up to her first full-length album, Heard It In A Past Life. This particular song will always make me think of Austin, where I felt super proud hearing Maggie on the radio for the first time ever. And then I heard it again, and again, and again, and again. Over time, I grew pretty sick of the song, if I’m being honest, but fell in love all over again with this acoustic rendition. I love a good bop to dance around the house to, but I’ll take the stripped down records all day, every day.